Restaurant Movie Celebrates 15 Years And Is Still Being Watched

CALGARY, Alberta - Jan. 22, 2022 - PRLog -- "We need help getting people to want to work in the restaurant industry again, and "Did I Say Thousand Island?" is the movie showing how great it is." says Patti DiVita the writer, producer, and director of the movie that's still being viewed 15 years later.

The restaurant industry is struggling to build itself back after the devastation caused by the pandemic. Whether you work in the industry or not, you've been affected. Closed restaurants, cafes and bars affected everyone because not only do we go out to eat; we need the in-person connections in our communities that restaurants provide. Slowly we're returning, but businesses that were able to survive aren't having an easy time getting staff.

Paul Paz, the founder of WaitersWorld is well aware. He was recently invited to The Fairmont Chateau Whistler in British Columbia, Canada as the keynote speaker. Closings due to Covid did damage that needed addressing and Paz went to help. "The Fairmont kept staff on during the pandemic and was respectful of their desire to stay despite cutbacks. Resuming business, they wanted to refresh the sense of hospitality and regain the same culture they enjoyed before the pandemic, by bringing in their seasoned veterans to demonstrate to new staff (many who'd never been in the industry) what successful hospitality is." DiVita spoke with Paz and they both agreed that successful hospitality doesn't have to do only with the great income that's possible, but also the people you are surrounded by and the general lifestyle of freedom and flexibility.

"But none of those were the key reason why I made the movie." DiVita states. "It was about respect for those in the industry. I was tired of being put down and belittled because I was "just" a waitress. 'When are you going to get a REAL job?' or, 'when are you going to DO something with your life?'. Questions those of us who spent time working in restaurants have heard."

DiVita seems to have hit upon something as the movie has been seen all over the world and is still being watched online; even after being around for 15 years. "It's what I wanted from the beginning," DiVita says. "I never wanted to make a movie or get into the movie scene, but I wanted to get a message out. Apparently this idea that suddenly popped into my mind worked. It's a success and has been on the cover of USA Today, and NPR in the States, and links to these and other articles can be found at https://www.didisaythousandisland.com where you can watch the movie for free.