Lifetime Achievement
John Harper
Spectra Foods & ABC Restaurants
A summer job as a busboy in 1966 at the prestigious Harrison Hot Springs Hotel launched a remarkable 46-year career in the hospitality industry.
Ron Toigo
White Spot Hospitality
Bob Gaglardi
Northland Properties
Bob is a Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist from Kamloops, BC., with a longstanding family legacy grounded in community service.
Peter Toigo Sr.
White Spot Hospitality
Alan Howie
Northland Properties
Alan has worked in restaurants for over 32 years. He started out his career as a Chartered Accountant and was first introduced to the industry White Spot where he worked for over 15 years.
Local Champion
Roger Sleiman
Quails Gate Winery - Okanagan
Chef Roger Sleiman has led the culinary vision at Old Vines Restaurant for nearly two decades, elevating Quails’ Gate to a benchmark of Okanagan dining.
Ronnie Lee
Taste of Tofino Catering, The Beach Shack, The Bake Shack, Tofino Event Management & Smashing Glasses Events
Chef Ronnie Lee cooks with heart, and he’s been fueling Tofino’s food scene with soulful
hospitality and bold, coastal flavours.
Shira Blustein
The Acorn & Lila
Shira Blustein is the founder of The Acorn and co-founder of Lila, two acclaimed Vancouver restaurants celebrated for their deep-rooted commitment to sustainability.
Eli Brennan
Water St. Cafe, Nanoose Bay Cafe, Qualicum Beach Cafe, Deez Bar & Grill
Eli Brennan is the Co-Founder/COO of Moments Hospitality Collective. His journey in the hospitality industry began at the age of 16 in Duncan, BC, where he started as a dishwasher.
Active Restaurateur
Tannis Ling
Bao Bei, Kissa Tanto & Meo
Tannis Ling’s passion for food was nurtured at a young age, shaped by her parents and Vancouver’s rich culinary landscape.
Joël Watanabe
Bao Bei, Kissa Tanto & Meo
Chef Joël Watanabe, chef-owner of Kissa Tanto and Meo Chinatown; and executive chef of Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie in Vancouver, BC.
Alain Chow
Bao Bei, Kissa Tanto & Meo
Alain Chow was born in 1974 and raised in Toronto, Ontario. He has been lucky to call Vancouver, British Columbia, home for the last 14 years, moving here in 2011.
Iori Katakoa
Yuwa
Iori Kataoka is a certified sake specialist, the co-owner and director of operations, at Yuwa Japanese Cuisine in Vancouver.
Jason Chan
Kirin Restaurant
Jason has been part of the Kirin Restaurant Group for over 20 years — a journey deeply rooted in excellence, tradition, and passion.
Paul Grunberg
Banda Volpi Hospitality (Savio, Elio, La Tana & Pepino's)
Friend of the Industry
Glen Korstrom
Business in Vancouver
Glen Korstrom has been a reporter at Business in Vancouver for 25 years, covering B.C. ‘s restaurants and foodservice industry for most of that time.
Lana Popham
Ministrity of Agriculture and Food
Lana Popham has been the MLA for Saanich South since 2009 and is currently B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture and Food.
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Leading Employee / Manager: FRONT OF HOUSE
Hector Medina
Bodega on Main
With over 35 years in hospitality, I began as a dishwasher at Pepitas and worked my way up through every role. While attending university, I discovered a passion for service and working with people.
Leading Employee / Manager: BACK OF HOUSE
Jason Kleinfeld
Carderos
Chef Jason Kleinfeld’s culinary career spans nearly four decades, grounded in a straightforward philosophy: keep it fresh, keep it simple, and make sure it tastes great.
Supplier
Jenice Yu
eatFISH
Jenice Yu has helped shape BC’s seafood culture through her commitment to sustainability, quality, and community connection since 2008.
Jon Crofts
Codfather's Seafood Market
Jon is a Fishmonger operating Codfather’s Seafood in Kelowna BC. He is involved in the local culinary scene, supplying restaurants and supporting culinary events.
Rising Star
Matt Cusano
Ciao Chili
Calgary born, Matt trained in Vancouver and in the Okanagan. In Victoria, he worked at OLO and led culinary teams as Executive Chef at the Oswego Hotel, Boom + Batten, and Brentwood Bay Resort.
Hospitality Service Excellence
Christian Kelly
Gateway Casinos Entertainment
Christian Kelly is a respected leader in the hospitality industry whose career began humbly as a Bartender at his local Milestones restaurant.