The BC Restaurant Hall of Fame Gala is an annual industry celebration not to be missed. This year’s event will feature a cocktail reception with signature cocktails designed to feature BC’s unique ingredients and up-and-coming crafts spirits industry. The reception is paired with an elegant Italian meal using fresh BC ingredients presented by the Italian Cultural Centre.
About
The British Columbia restaurant scene is one of the most outstanding in the world in terms of diversity, unique concepts, exceptional food quality, excellent wine & bartending culture, professional service and value for the customer.
An initiative of the British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association, the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame is a celebration of the people and the restaurants that make our industry world class. Since 2004, the innovation and dedication of outstanding individuals has been celebrated through their admission into the only Restaurant Hall of Fame in Canada.
We know that in addition to individuals, the brands and the people behind them are positively changing the BC restaurant experience. In recognition of our age of branding and social media, we are expanding our recognition to include restaurants themselves for their excellence and their contribution to building an unparalleled restaurant culture in BC.
CALL FOR 2024 BC RESTAURANT HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS
Nominations for the 2024 BC Restaurant Hall of Fame Inductees is open now through April 30, 2024. We are looking for nominations in the following categories:
- Lifetime Achievement - Friend of Industry
- Local Champion - Leading Employee/Manager (front of house + back of house)
- Active Restauranteur - Supplier
- Rising Star - Hospitality Service Excellence in Administration and/or Operations
Criteria for nominees can be found HERE
2023 BC RESTAURANT HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Lifetime Achievement
Celebrates individuals with at least 10 years of documented accomplishments in the hospitality industry who have had a significant impact on a large number of individuals and organizations in the hospitality industry
All nominees must have attained a high level of excellence and brought honour to the British Columbia hospitality industry through ongoing dedication to the development of the hospitality industry in British Columbia. Candidates must exemplify good character and dedication.
Kelly Gordon Romers / Steamship
James Iranzad Gooseneck Hospitality
Claudio Ranallo La piazza Dario’s restaurant
Industry Pioneer
An individual – retired or active – who has dedicated their lifetime to exceptional professionalism working in the restaurant and hospitality industries. These individuals will be recognized for making their businesses a special experience for customers and for elevating the restaurant scene through their lifetime of achievements.
Ron Slinger The Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub
David Wong Six Mile Pub
Local Champion
An individual, retired, deceased or active who is or has been a leader in supporting local BC food and beverage throughout their career. The individual will be recognized for making their restaurant a special experience for customers because of the ingredients they select, the farmers they work with and the pride of place that is celebrated through their creations.
Robert Cassels Saveur Restaurant - Victoria
Ross Derrick Broken Anchor Hospitality – Kelowna/Big White
Gino Di Domenico Tacofino - Tofino / Vancouver
Jesse McCleery Pilgrimme - Gulf Islands
Mike & Karen Roland Red Door Bistro – Whistler
Active Restaurateur
Celebrates the exceptional restaurateur who is currently active in the BC restaurant industry
Neil Aisenstat Hy's of Canada
Michael Doyle Aquilini Group
Audrey Surrao RauDZ Creative Concepts Ltd.
Lily Verney-Downey & Warren Barr Pluvio Restaurant
Friend of the Industry
This special recognition award is presented from time to time to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the hospitality industry in British Columbia, such as media, educator or politician.
Bert Hick Rising Tide Consultants
Women in Hospitality
A female that works in marketing, human resources, operations or finance who contributes to the success of the restaurant industry through their leadership, experience, dedication and commitment in ways that are not always visible to the dining public.
Kelsey Oudendag Okanagan College / RauDZ Creative Concepts Ltd.
Jennifer Rossi Kitchen Table Group
Cathy Tostenson White Spot Hospitality
Donna Wadsworth Savoury City Catering
Leading Employee/Manager – Front and Back of House
An active employee who is a leader in managing a team and service of the team, and the profile of, careers in restaurants. The individual will be recognized for creating a workplace that is welcoming, treats employees with the utmost respect and fosters an environment for recognition and growth in the workplace.
Andy Crimp Cardero's
Ken Nakano Inn at Laurel Point
Celestino Posteraro Cioppino's
Supplier
An individual who, through their work as a supplier partner, has consistently supported BC’s restaurant industry. This year, the award will have a special focus on BC brewers, winemakers or distillers that have raised the bar in local craft product and who showcase the best of the province in their offerings.
Chris Brown Arterra Wines Canada
Yvonne (Koo) Leong Koo Produce
“As a Chef and Restaurateur of small independent establishments, you work and toil away in your own little corner of the restaurant community, trying to make customers happy and keep your business relevant. So when you get recognized for all of the hard work, sacrifice and care you put into the business by the industry and peers you respect and even idolize, it really means something. This is what the Hall of Fame award means to me.”
-past inductee Robert Belcham Restaurateur/Owner/Chef of Campagnolo, Campagnolo Upstairs, Monarch Burger, Popina Canteen
“I was honored to have been inducted into BC Restaurant Hall of Fame. I am grateful for this award and for Project CHEF being recognized by the BCRFA and past Hall of Fame recipients for Project CHEF's contribution to shaping the future.”
-Past inductee Barb Finley, Founder/Director of Project CHEF Education Society
"Being inducted as a woman into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame was a noticeable boost of positive media/online coverage for myself and my restaurants. This initial coverage then resulted further in other organizations and food writers contacting me to discuss my personal community work as well as profiling my very special and specific all-female kitchen staff of 25 years. Finally, through the process of receiving this award to the final ceremony, I reconnected with and met many new colleagues in our business.”