Future foodservice leaders lauded

TORONTO — Future hospitality leaders were encouraged to pay it forward at a recent ceremony for the Ontario Hostelry Institute’s (OHI) 2017 Top 30 Under 30.  

“Many of the people who nominated you were previous winners,” said Bruce McAdams, assistant professor at the University of Guelph and chair of the OHI’s Top 30 under 30.

Charles Grieco, who has lead the OHI since its inception in 1977 as chair and president, started the awards program with McAdams.

Rising stars: OHI names Top 30 under 30

In its 13th year, the OHI recognition aims to ensure the future of the industry and inspire a career-long commitment to hospitality excellence in the foodservice and accommodations industries.

President of Chase Hospitality Group Steven Salm, who received the Top 30 designation in 2011, addressed this year’s crop of winners during the ceremony held at George Brown College on March 29. 

The young leaders included assistant, bar and general managers, chefs de cuisine, sous chefs, pastry chefs, wine directors, sommeliers and brewmasters.

“Our responsibility is to really add a level of professionalism and experience in this industry,” said Salm, adding it’s a “prestigious, honourable and wonderful profession.”

Salm’s address touched on how the industry has changed and how it’s moving beyond the “old school mentality” of the past.

“Today, it’s who, how and what can create the most magic in an experience,” he said.

Salm also noted a responsibility to teach, mentor and develop.

“Eighty per cent of new restaurants fail — let’s change it,” he said.

A photo gallery of the 2017 winners is on our Facebook page. 

Gold Awards

In addition to the Top 30 under 30 Awards, the OHI also recognizes established professionals in the foodservice and accommodations industry with its Gold Awards. This year’s winners and new fellows of the institute will be celebrated on April 20 at The Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. 

Winners include: A&W Food Services of Canada; Marc Lepine, chef/owner of Atelier in Ottawa: White Oaks Resort & Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.; Jason Bangerter, executive chef of Langdon Hall Country House and Spa; John Bil, Honest Weight; Norman Hardie Winery and Vineyard: and Owen Roberts, president of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists.

Alphabetically, the 2017 Fellows of the Institute include: David Clanachan, chairman, RBI Canada; Clark Day, owner, Bayview Farm Restaurant; Court Desautels, president, Neighbourhood Group of Companies; Frederic Dimanche, director, Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Ryerson University; Duff Lampard, executive chef, Metro Toronto Convention Centre; Amanda Holmes, vice-president of global talent acquisition, AccorHotels; Jim Kyte, dean, School of Hospitality & Tourism, Algonquin College; Oliver Li, chef de cuisine, The Chef’s House, Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts, George Brown College; Andrea Mastrandrea, owner, Forno Cultura; and Steven Salm, president, Chase Hospitality Group.