Smoke’s Poutinerie Founder and CEO Ryan Smolkin Passes Away at Age 50: Remembering His Legacy

‘A big heart’: Smoke’s Poutinerie founder Ryan Smolkin remembered for fun persona

Ryan Smolkin, the man behind Smoke’s Poutinerie, has passed away at the age of 50, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and a larger-than-life personality. Smolkin, who hailed from Smiths Falls, Ontario, was known for his eccentricity and his passion for serving poutine with unique toppings. His untimely death was attributed to unexpected complications from a recent surgery.

Smoke’s Poutinerie, a fast-food chain specializing in poutine, announced the passing of their founder on Sunday. Smolkin’s dream was to achieve “global domination” with his brand, and he had plans of expanding to every city and country in the world. Mark Cunningham, the company’s president and chief operating officer, who Smolkin had chosen as his successor, spoke fondly of Smolkin’s vision of taking poutine worldwide.

A Unique Concept

Smolkin started Smoke’s Poutinerie in 2009, offering a wide variety of poutine toppings, including pulled pork, bacon, cheeseburgers, and butter chicken. He chose poutine as his signature dish because of its uniqueness. At Smoke’s, Smolkin referred to himself as the chief entertainment officer, curating over 30 different varieties of the fry-based dish his chain would offer. He also became a star in his own right, making appearances in YouTube videos where he experimented with unconventional poutine toppings.

A Canadian Success Story

Smolkin’s food and persona resonated with Canadians and even gained the admiration of actor Seth Rogen, who expressed his love for Smoke’s Poutinerie in an interview. Thanks to such praise, Smoke’s expanded rapidly from its first location in Toronto to around 100 locations across Canada and even achieved international expansion at one point.

A Charitable Entrepreneur

Smolkin’s ambitions went beyond culinary success. He founded the World Poutine Eating Championship, where competitive eaters would consume extraordinary amounts of poutine in a short time period. In addition, he introduced a CEO component to the championship, allowing food industry leaders to participate and raise funds for the charity We Care, which supports children with disabilities. Smolkin himself often participated in the competition, adding his own twists and surprises to keep things entertaining.

A Rock ‘n’ Roll Spirit

Smolkin infused his brand and personal life with a rock ‘n’ roll spirit. He would often sing in Smoke’s Poutinerie restaurants, fill the company’s headquarters with 1980s rock videos, and challenge partners and suppliers to play air guitar on stage during conferences. One of his most memorable moments was his friendship with Kiss star Gene Simmons. Smolkin admired Simmons not only for his music but also as a business entrepreneur. The two formed a strong bond, and Smolkin cherished the moments he spent with Simmons, even visiting him at his Los Angeles home.

A Legacy of Innovation and Generosity

Smolkin’s marketing skills and design expertise played a vital role in Smoke’s Poutinerie’s branding. He created the striking red and black checkered plaid color scheme, inspired by his own wardrobe, and sketched the company mascot, Smoke, as their logo. His background in marketing and design, which included working with major brands like Nike and Molson Breweries, allowed him to create a unique and recognizable image for his own restaurant chain.

Away from work, Smolkin was a loving father of twins. His family and Smoke’s Poutinerie have received an outpouring of support since his passing, a testament to the impact he had on those around him. Mark Cunningham described Smolkin as having “a big heart” and recalled his penchant for giving high fives, shoulder pats, and warm hugs.

Ryan Smolkin’s death is a loss for the culinary world and the vibrant Canadian entrepreneurial landscape. His passion, creativity, and big-heartedness will be remembered, and Smoke’s Poutinerie will continue to carry on his legacy.