News Airlines
Peterborough Airport launches new restaurant

One outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic was the closure of many airport restaurants at regional airports. In particular, the restaurant at the Peterborough Airport (CYPQ) closed in early 2020 and based upon staffing issues, lack of traffic and government restrictions, never reopened under the old management.

On March 25, 2024, Brad Katz, founder of The Good Baker located in Peterborough Ont., opened a new restaurant at the Peterborough airport, called The Good Baker YPQ. Katz has been operating restaurants for the past 10 years, but he has more than 40 years of baking experience. His passion is making pies. His personal favourite to eat is blueberry, but his favourite to make is apple pie. In the restaurant is an assortment of cookies and muffins, all made in-house. In fact, all of Katz’s baking is gluten free.

The Good Baker YPQ at Peterborough Airport provides a full view of the runway. (Photo: Phil Lightstone)

The City of Peterborough recognized the need for a full-time restaurant at the airport. Not only did the city provide all of the existing restaurant hardware, but it also included a number of upgrades to entice Katz to setup shop. His investment was limited to dishes, flatware, cups, knives, and similar kitchen ware.

Katz’s biggest challenge in operating the restaurant and maintaining a long-term presence is staff. Currently there are eight staff working at the airport restaurant, but Katz reports: “My biggest challenge is finding the right people. While I’m not a chef, I love managing the culinary experience and, of course, baking.” He helps out in both locations on the line, preparing and mingling with the customers.

The word is getting out with the pilot community, with folks flying in from all over southern Ontario. “We had a few pilots fly in from Oshawa for breakfast,” says Katz. “They emailed a few of their friends and, by lunch time, more pilots were in the restaurant enjoying a $100 hamburger.”

In early May, I flew into Peterborough to sample the restaurant’s food. Not only is the staff friendly and attentive, but the cheese, mushroom and spinach omelet was delicious. The coffee was hot (and not watered down) with a bottomless cup. I really like the setup of the restaurant with three walls of windows, allowing you to watch the ramp. As airport restaurants go, menu selection and pricing is spot on (although I like pre-pandemic prices better). I’m wondering when Katz will hang a few model airplanes to provide a bit more of an aviation theme to the restaurant. Just that extra touch, like the Katana Café in London or the old Tailwinds in Orillia (now renamed).

Peterborough airport, CYPQ, is home to Seneca College’s flight school, flying Cessna 172s, Beechcraft Barons and Bonanzas. The airport environment can become quite busy with lots of aircraft in the circuit and flying approaches. But with an eagle eye, head on a swivel, good radio skills and a bit of patience, the flight into Peterborough should be uneventful.