TIFF preparations: Getting ready to serve the celebrities

They knew it was coming, but they're still working on the finishing touches.

The city's high-end hotels and restaurants are about to see a host of famous faces stopping by as the Toronto International Film Festival gets underway on Thursday.

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At the Fairmont Royal York's Epic restaurant, staff are stocking up on supplies of high-end champagne, caviar and other luxury treats for Hollywood guests.

The restaurant manager, George Karahalios, said staff will be working double-time to ensure these guests get what they need as quickly as possible.

"We're offering a special menu for any celebrities or high-profile guests where we guarantee that they will have their meal in 30 minutes," told CBC News in an interview.

When their orders come in, Karahalios means "it's all hands on board" to ensure things get done.

Karahalios was tight-lipped about who may be dropping by Epic in the days ahead, but he said that actors Jude Law and Mila Kunis were among the stars that dined there last year.

"We'll have to wait and see," he said, in regard to potential guests this time around.

Over at Susur Lee's Luckee restaurant, the celebrity chef has created a special lunch menu for TIFF.

The restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. each day, to accommodate the crowds.

"I think film people are almost like restaurant people," Lee said in an interview. "They work really odd hours, they get up really early, they go out really late."

Now into its fourth decade, TIFF has grown to become one of the top festivals of its kind in the world.

Lee said that it's to the point where people know what TIFF and Toronto are all about.

"Every star wants to come see Toronto because it's a great city," he said.