Latest news with #fooddelivery
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
I'm an Uber Eats driver, here are the secrets I'm not supposed to tell you, yes we do eat your fries
AN UBER Eats driver has revealed what really happens behind the wheel of your food delivery — from sneaking the odd chip to deliberately slowing down when customers are rude. Tom, 33, who asked not to share his surname as he still works for the platform, told Plates Express that while most customers are polite, the job isn't always straightforward and when he's hungry, stressed, or disrespected, he sometimes bends the rules. 1 'I try to be professional. But when you're stuck in traffic with someone's chips next to you and you've not eaten in hours, it's tough,' he said. Tom admits he's dipped into customer food more than once, especially when the packaging isn't sealed or the bag's already half open. 'I don't make a habit of it, but yeah, I've taken fries. Everyone does, whether they admit it or not,' he says. 'You're five hours in, tired, hungry, and the food's just there — it happens. 'One night I was out late, and hadn't eaten all day. The bag was open, and I took a nugget. Not proud of it but also not the first.' Tom says the way a customer behaves can influence how quickly their food arrives. He says: 'I do my best to be quick, but if someone starts messaging me saying 'where are you?' or 'hurry up', I slow down. I'm not gonna race across town for someone who's giving me grief. 'I get that people are hungry, but I'm juggling traffic, queues, and tight timings. When they're rude, it just puts me off.' Tom says there are things customers can do to get better service from him. He adds: 'If someone tips or just says thank you, I do try to remember them. I don't get the same people often, but when I do, I'll make sure their food stays upright, dry — whatever it takes. 'But if they ignore me or slam the door, yeah... I'm not going out of my way next time.'
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Dorval woman wins $3,500 after allergic reaction to undisclosed peanuts
A woman won a small claims case after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a dish ordered through a food app that failed to disclose it contained peanuts. A Dorval woman has been awarded more than $3,500 in small claims court after suffering an allergic reaction to a meal ordered through a food delivery app that failed to disclose the presence of peanuts. The woman placed her order through Uber Eats, choosing a bhel puri puff rice dish from Spicebros, an Indian food chain with 12 locations in Quebec. In the app, she specifically noted that she was allergic to peanuts. But when she began eating the dish at the Dorval Community Center, she immediately became ill. A colleague called 911 and helped her with an epinephrine shot. The woman was transported to the Lakeshore Hospital, where she remained until her condition stabilized. It turns out the preparation of the bhel puri dish includes a significant amount of peanuts—an ingredient that could have triggered the woman's reaction. She later sued Spicebros for $15,000 in damages for pain and suffering. In court documents, the representative for Spicebros argued that customers with allergies are expected to call the restaurant directly and not rely on third-party delivery platforms. The judge dismissed that argument, ruling that the restaurant had a responsibility to warn customers about allergens in their food. A company official confirmed to CTV News that the issue has since been addressed. Allergy warnings are now included on the restaurant's menus, and the official added that at the time of the incident, third-party apps didn't always highlight allergy information when transmitting orders—a problem that has also since been corrected. Quebec's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food requires restaurants to label products that contain allergens like peanuts, noting that for many people, the consequences can be life-threatening.
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Autonomous robots take to GTA sidewalks in food delivery pilot
John Vennavally-Rao has the story of a three-month pilot program in Markham, Ont. involving four robots delivering takeout to hungry customers. Autonomous delivery robots are rolling along sidewalks in Markham, Ont., turning heads and dropping off food as part of a new pilot project that could pave the way for expansion across the country. The three-month project involves four delivery bots equipped with insulated compartments that can carry nearly 60 kilograms of food. The bots are outfitted with a screen that displays friendly facial expressions, designed to navigate sidewalks and deliver meals within a two-kilometre radius of participating restaurants. 'Kids have no hesitation. They go up to the robot. We've seen kids hug the robot. They see it like a friendly community member,' said Sharif Virani, head of growth at Real Life Robotics. The Waterloo, Ont.-based company has partnered up with Skip, formerly known as Skip The Dishes, for the project. Isaac Muriuki reacted after watching a robot pass by on the sidewalk, 'I think they're cool to be honest, and I like to see technology progress like this.' And when it comes to sidewalk sharing? 'I mean, as long as there aren't like 50 of them blocking the sidewalk, then no problem,' said Muriuki. Food delivery robot pilot project Four delivery bots are now taking food from restaurants to customers in Markam, Ont. (CTV News) The robots operate daily between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., rain or shine. Customers who live in the pilot area can now select robot delivery when placing orders from certain local restaurants on the Skip app. Virani says the initiative began with an initial test phase and marks a major step forward. 'It was the first municipally authorized public robot delivery trial in the history of Canada,' said Virani. A similar program by Tiny Mile was halted in Toronto when the city banned such robots from sidewalks four years ago. Some worry they can pose a hazard to those with vision challenges, as well as seniors and people with disabilities. Ottawa also imposed a ban in 2022. But Virani believes the robots are safe and framed the project in broader economic terms. 'In Canada right now, we have entrepreneurship at an all-time low, (the) death of the Main Street, and you're seeing the cost of operating a business at an all-time high,' he said. 'So we need innovation like this. We need to start taking some bold, ambitious moves if we want to look at recovering our Canadian economy.' Proponents say robotic delivery can reduce carbon emissions and avoid the traffic congestion that slows some traditional couriers. The robots can travel 5 km/h, which is slightly faster than a person walking. While the bots can operate independently, for now at least, a human guide is following them to make sure there are no problems. There's also a remote operator who can take control if needed. Real Life Robotics aims to deploy up to 500 delivery robots across Canadian cities within the next three years. Robot food delivery Skip pilot project Customer Soban Khan uses an app on his phone to open the robot's lid and retrieve his ordered lunch. (CTV News) CTV News watched as Soban Khan stood outside his workplace, waiting for his robot-delivered lunch. He used an app on his phone to unlock the lid and retrieve the food. 'Pretty awesome experience, pretty new experience for me. And seems like a great innovation,' said Khan, who added that he would use robot delivery again. The initiative drew largely positive responses from people CTV News approached on the street. 'I personally haven't talked to anybody with a negative reaction so far,' said Josephine Yang, who is working as a robot guide. Asked how pedestrians should react when they encounter a delivery bot, Yang says they should go on with their day, like how they normally walk. 'They can just treat the robot as another pedestrian,' he added. Ryan Liyanage, another passerby, raised broader questions about public interaction. 'Its ok for me I don't mind it. But I suppose others might,' said Liyanage. He wondered if people would try to abuse it or tip it over. 'That would be interesting to see how decent our society can get along with the robots, right?'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Deliveroo reveals top UK restaurants of the year - as a trendy sandwich pop-up in east London scoops the top spot
Deliveroo has revealed the top takeaway restaurants in the UK, including a TikTok viral sandwich shop and high street bakery Gail's. The winners of the food delivery platform's annual awards were announced on Wednesday, based on 160,000 customer votes and the verdict of a panel of judges; Deliveroo founder Will Shu, food critic Jimi Famurewa and Tilly Ramsay. Winners were split across five different categories including independent businesses on both national and regional levels - and a new category sponsored by darts sensation Luke Littler who uncovered the nation's best kebab. The most prestigious accolade, the Independent Restaurant of the Year UK & Ireland, won by trendy London sandwich shop, Crunch, based in Spitalfields Market. Competing against Crunch for the crown, were restaurants who'd already picked up regional awards, including a Leeds cake shop and Bristolian fast-food chain. Each were judged by the panel on brand personality, food quality and value, packaging and presentation, customer reviews and loyalty, innovation, and going the extra mile. First place winner Crunch, a brioche bread sandwich pop-up shop, was awarded two prizes. After being crowned the International Restaurant of the Year for Greater London, it went on to battle against the other regional winners before winning the national category too. The self-described 'experimental' eatery, which opened in 2022, shone brightest with its 'Patty Melt', a sarnie containing truffle beef, red Leicester, and black truffle mayonnaise on golden brioche, which was the most popular dish on Deliveroo. Having amassed a cult following on social media, the trendy bap makers were praised for their string of five star reviews, and by judges 'for creating a new era of game-changing sandwiches and their fearless approach to cooking.' Regional categories were won by a mixture of pizza, cake and salad outlets. In Belfast, health food restaurant and burrito bar, Seed, won the Independent Restaurant of the Year for Ireland. Serving acai bowls, superfood salads, burritos and smoothies, health conscious Seed won the hearts of the Irish. Scotland preferred pizza over salad, with the nation nominating Big Manny's Pizza as their winner. The Aberdeen-based eatery serves a range of decadent cheesy pies and is famed for their unrivalled meat specials and 18-inch pizzas, available by collection only. Bristol won on burger and chips with the city's Oowee Diner located on North Street, winning the area for its burgers, tasty dips and loaded dirty fries. Get Baked, a cake shop and bakery located in Leeds, took home the crown for Manchester and Leeds. The eatery has amassed a cult following online, in particular for its Bertha cake, a huge layered chocolate cake that was inspired by the Roald Dahl tale Matilda. Leeds was also the destination for the winner of the Luke Littler x Deliveroo Best Kebab Award, with the city's Sqew Shawarma Bar nabbing the title. The darts prodigy shortlisted ten 'Litter-approved' venues, all of which went to a public vote with Sqew Shawarma Bar, coming out top. Sqew's Khobez kebab with chicken, salad and sauce, was a notable mention. Additional awards were granted in acknowledgment of other hospitality strengths, including Deliveroo's Above and Beyond awards. Divisive high-street bakery, Gail's, was also given a Heart of the Community award across the nation, a win that will no doubt come as a surprise to those who have accused the chain of 'gentrification'. The bakery was at the heart of fierce debate last year, as locals in a number of locations, including Worthing and Wandsworth, fought back against plans to build new outlets on their high-streets. Others in the category included the Environmentally Sustainability award, given to Bujo in Dublin, the Customer Obsession award, which went to Burger Me Up in Birmingham, and the Rider Love award given to Thunderbirds, a chicken restaurant with various outlets across London. The Icon awards also showcased the talents of UK restaurant owners, with Naeem Aslam, Director of Aagrah Leeds winning the Lifetime Achievement, and Rich Myers, Founder of Get Baked scoring the Changing the Game award. The Rising Star award went to Enrico Pinna, Co-Founder of Ad Maiora, in Manchester. The Role Model award was given to Tim Vasilakis, Founder of The Athenian, which boasts multiple locations across the UK, including in London, Bristol and Sheffield. Reflecting on the overall winner of this year's Deliveroo awards, Jimi Famurewa, food critic and Deliveroo restaurant awards judge, said: 'It's an honour to be a returning judge for Deliveroo's UK & Ireland restaurant awards, and I was blown away by the passion and talent on display at the Independent Restaurant of the Year cook-off. 'Each finalist brought something unique and delicious to the table, making the final decision incredibly tough for us. 'However, Crunch from London stood out amongst the fierce competition, showcasing immense creativity, fine dining-level technique and mindblowing flavour that impressed us all.' Michael Medovnikov, Co-founder of Crunch: 'From our humble beginnings in a Shoreditch pub to winning Independent Restaurant of the Year for UK & Ireland with Deliveroo in just a few years – it's an absolutely surreal and incredible feelinh. We poured our hearts into every single sandwich we've made for our customers, so this award is for our amazing team and all the customers who've supported us from the start of this wild journey. Thank you to Deliveroo and everyone who voted for us to receive this amazing recognition!' Deliveroo's 2025 Restaurant Awards winners National Independent Restaurant of the Year Awards 2025 - CRUNCH, Old Spitalfields Market, London. National Independent Restaurant of the Year Awards Independent Restaurant of the Year, Ireland 2025 - Seed, Belfast Independent Restaurant of the Year Scotland 2025 - Big Mannys' Pizza, Aberdeen Independent Restaurant of the Year South England and Wales 2025 - Oowee Diner, Bristol Independent Restaurant of the Year North England and Midlands 2025 - Get Baked, Manchester & Leeds Independent Restaurant of the Year, Greater London 2025 - CRUNCH, Old Spitalfields Market, London. Luke Littler x Deliveroo Best Kebab Award 2025 Sqew Shawarma Bar, Leeds - Luke Littler x Deliveroo Best Kebab Award 2025 winner Icon Awards Lifetime Achievement 2025 - Naeem Aslam, Director of Aagrah, Leeds Changing the Game 2025 - Rich Myers, Founder of Get Baked, Manchester & Leeds Rising Star 2025 - Enrico Pinna, Co-Founder of Ad Maiora, Manchester Role Model 2025 - Tim Vasilakis, Founder of The Athenian, London, Bristol, Birmingham, Swindon, and Sheffield. Above and Beyond Awards 2025 Heart of the Community Award 2025 - GAIL's Bakery, nationwide Environmentally Sustainability Award 2025 - Bujo, Dublin (Sandymount, Terenure Village) Customer Obession Award 2025 - Burger Me Up, Birmingham (Stirchley) Rider Love Award 2025 - Thunderbirds, London: Canary Wharf, Charing Cross, Clapham Junction, The O2, Wimbledon, Parkden Resorts, Westfield Stratford
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong to consider stronger laws to protect food delivery workers this year
Hong Kong authorities will propose to improve the rights and benefits of food delivery workers this year and consider legislative means to protect them better, following a string of recent labour disputes and protests. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han told lawmakers at a Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday that authorities would reinforce protection of workers on food delivery apps and had set up a liaison group composed of representatives from the government, operators and labour groups to explore suitable measures. Some lawmakers highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of such workers, noting that many of them operated illegally. Sun revealed that the authority had studied the regulatory regime in mainland China, where the Supreme People's Court had determined and defined the relationship between platform operators and workers based on work arrangements. He added that based on the findings of two surveys conducted by the Labour Department last year, workers were 'most concerned about work injury compensation'. Lawmakers voiced concerns that the current protection of food delivery workers in the city lagged behind many regions, including mainland China and some Western countries. In Hong Kong, food delivery workers have gathered to protest on several occasions in recent weeks.
