TORONTO – Kostuch Media Ltd. (KML) has announced its 2021 Top 30 Under 30 award winners.
The annual awards program recognizes the hospitality industry’s top young performers, helping to create and inspire a future generation of hospitality leaders. It also promotes self-esteem and pride for young professionals and provides exemplary role models for those forging careers in the foodservice and hospitality industry.
According to Rosanna Caira, editor and publisher of Kostuch Media’s Foodservice and Hospitality and Hotelier magazines, “I continue to be hugely impressed by the quality of each year’s nominees and this year’s crop of rising stars was truly exceptional, demonstrating that tomorrow’s hospitality industry is in great hands.”
The Top-30-under-30 winners (see list below) represent a cross-section of the industry including restaurants, hotels, entrepreneurs, tourism-related businesses and suppliers. The idea for the program was developed by Bruce McAdams, associate professor at the University of Guelph, and the program was launched in 2006 by the Ontario Hostelry Institute, under the guidance of J. Charles Grieco to recognize the hospitality industry’s top young performers.
Grieco sadly passed away in 2019, at which time, KML assumed control of the recognition program.
Helping KML to determine each year’s winners is an adjudication committee, comprised of Bruce McAdams, associate professor, School of Hospitality & Tourism, University of Guelph; Gracie Reesor, assistant general manager of Restaurants, Eataly Toronto; Cyrus Cooper, professor, School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts, Centennial College; Dario Guescini, director, Work Integrated Learning, George Brown College; Lee Jackson, vice-president of Retail Business Development, JLL; James Vosburgh, president, Imago Restaurants; Liana Carniello, director, Human Resources, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel; Sara D’amato, writer, sommelier and wine consultant; and David Martin, professor, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University.
Due to gathering restrictions caused by COVID-19, last year’s Top-30 winners were fệted virtually in a KML webcast. This year, KML hopes to honour the Top 30 winners at a ceremony to be held in early fall. More details will follow as they become available.
This year’s KML Top 30 Under 30 honourees are:
| Amber Douel | Front Office Manager | Delta Hotels by Marriott – Vancouver Downtown Suites |
| Ashley Orton | General Manager | The Mule |
| Ben Kersley | Chef | The Common Stove |
| Bonnie Nethery | General Manager | Descendants Beer & Beverage Co. |
| Brandon Clemens | Executive Chef | The Bruce Hotel |
| Candace Kimball | General Manager | Earls Kitchen + Bar |
| Drew Savich | Assistant General Manager | Kef Steakhouse and Bar – Grande Prairie |
| Eric Valente | Sous-Chef | Canoe Restaurant |
| Imrun Texeira | ||
| Jasmine Burji | Director of Member Relations | Indigenous Tourism Ontario |
| Joel Kaastra | Restaurant General Manager | Fairmont Chateau Whistler – Portobello Restaurant |
| Kathryn Ferries | Sous-Chef | Stofa Restaurant |
| Lynsee Yee | Director of Banquets | Fairmont Empress |
| Marina Elsener | Director, Sustainable Development, Diversity & Inclusion, North & Central America | Accor Hotels |
| Meghan Wright | General Manager | Oliver & Bonacini |
| Michael Lam | Culinary Director/ Owner & Chef De Cuisine | Good Behaviour Ice Cream and Ascari Hospitality Group |
| Mohsen Dastpak | Regional Director of Operations – Fraser Valley | Earls Restaurant |
| Naji Khouri | Guest Experience Manager, Chef Concierge | Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge |
| Nicole Chan | Program Manager, Guest Experience | Sonder |
| Nils Schabert | Manager of Bar & Mixology | Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise |
| Pouravi Mediratta | Chef de Partie | Boehmer |
| Rachel Adjei | Founder and Executive Chef | The Abibiman Project |
| Raquel France | Owner / Baking and Pastry Professor | Q’s Cakes / Conestoga College |
| Ray Marvin Syegco | Chef and Owner | Incoho Restaurant |
| Rus Yessenov | Director of Mixology | Fairmont Royal York |
| Ruthann Meulen | Sous-Chef | The Jacob Senior Living |
| Selah Schmoll | Pastry Chef and Owner | Incoho Restaurant |
| Sneha Nayak | Assistant F&B Manager | Sheraton Gateway Hotel |
| Stefanie Cirillo | Assistant General Manager, Restaurants | Eataly Toronto |
| Yonnie Wong | Account Manager | Snapcommerce |
For more information on the Top-30-Under-30 program, please contact Jhanelle Porter at [email protected]
Akways great to see this annual list of up and coming people in our fabulous business. CONGRATULATIONS to each and everyone!! I have such great memories of my early days and feel so fortunate everyday that this was the career I chose. Almost became a pilot but my eyes failed me!!