Eleven men and women who have helped put BC cuisine and hospitality on the map are being inducted into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame this September.
Organizers say choosing the 11 was "one of the tightest races in the nine-year history of the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame voting."
The induction ceremony is September 30 at the Vancouver Italian Cultural Centre. Open to the public, tickets for the gala evening are available for purchase here or by phone: 604-669-2239. The evening includes a family-style Italian dinner paired with great wines.
Meet this years inductees:
Active Restaurateur Category
Celebrating exceptional restaurateurs currently active in the BC restaurant industry.
Jeff Donnelly, Founder & President, The Donnelly Group
Paul Smolen, Owner, Hart House Restaurant
Sean Heather, Heather Hospitality Group
Friend of the Industry Category
An individual who has provided exceptional support to the restaurant industry - a supplier, member of the media, or politician who has consistently supported BC's restaurant industry.
Caren McSherry, Founder, The Gourmet Warehouse
Christine Coletta, Owner, Okanagan Crush Pad
Joy Metcalfe, Journalist/Society Columnist, Joys Journal
The Industry Award
Individual-retired, deceased or active- who is or has been a chef, server, manager, bartender or executive and who has demonstrated exceptional professionalism working in the restaurant industry.
i. Back of House
Ernst Dorfler, Chef/Owner, Five Sails
Julian Bond, Executive Chef, Program Director and COO, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA)
ii. Front of House
Jay Jones, Executive Bartender & Brand Ambassador, The Donnelly Group
The Coffee & Beverage Award
Celebrating exceptional leaders from the coffee and beverage industry.
John Neate Jr., Founder, JJ Bean Coffee Roaster
Pioneer Category
Pioneers of the BC restaurant industry either retired or deceased.
Wally Shaw, Founder, BC Chefs Association
