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
2024 BC RESTAURANT HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Lifetime Achievement
The Lifetime Achievement Award in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry is a prestigious accolade designed to honor individuals who have demonstrated unparalleled dedication, innovation, and impact over the course of their career in shaping and advancing the hospitality landscape. This award recognizes an extraordinary nominee whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the industry, setting a standard of excellence for generations to come. The Lifetime Achievement Award seeks to celebrate an individual whose lifetime of work has not only left an indelible mark on the restaurant and hospitality industry but has also significantly contributed to its growth, evolution, and positive influence on a global scale.
Vie's Chicken and Steak
Andrew George Skilled Trade BC
Richard Baker Season in the Park
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.
Al Cave & Mike Cordoba Boston Pizza and Mr. Mike's
Sam & Joy Kongslip Sala Thai
Local Champion
The Local Champion Award in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry is a distinguished accolade crafted to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and contribution to their local community within the hospitality sector. This award celebrates nominees whose passion, dedication, and initiatives have significantly enhanced the local culinary scene, fostered community engagement, and positively impacted the lives of those in the vicinity. The Local Champion Award celebrates individuals who have become pillars of their local community through their outstanding contributions to the restaurant and hospitality industry. This award seeks to honor those whose efforts have not only elevated the local culinary landscape but have also positively influenced the social and economic fabric of the community they serve.
Paul Simpson Top Shelf Hospitality Group / Boom and Batten,
Glo, Med Grill, The Loghouse
Alex Chen & Neil Henderson Wild Blue
Dan Carkner Modest Butcher at Mt. Boucherie
Active Restaurateur
The Active Restauranteur Award in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry is a distinguished honor designed to recognize individuals who embody a dynamic and hands-on approach to the management and operation of their restaurants. This award celebrates nominees whose proactive engagement, innovative leadership, and continuous commitment have contributed significantly to the success and vibrancy of their establishments. The Active Restauranteur Award seeks to honour individuals who go above and beyond in their role as restaurant owners, actively shaping and influencing the industry through their innovative practices, dedication to excellence, and positive impact on both their staff and the communities they serve.
Karri Green-Schuerman Chambar Restaurant
Jay Gildenhuys Shelter Restaurant, Tofino BC
Scott Ward Browns Socialhouse
Mark Filatow Waterfront Wines
Friend of the Industry
The Friend of the Industry Award in the Restaurant and Hospitality Sector is a prestigious accolade designed to honor individuals or organizations that have shown exceptional support, advocacy, and collaboration in fostering the growth and success of the restaurant and hospitality sector. This award recognizes nominees who, through their actions, have become invaluable friends and allies, contributing significantly to the well-being and advancement of the industry as a whole. The Friend of the Industry Award seeks to recognize individuals or organizations that have become true friends and allies to the restaurant and hospitality sector, contributing to its overall well-being, growth, and positive influence. Nominees for this award exemplify a commitment to the success and prosperity of the industry as a whole, extending their support in ways that leave a lasting and beneficial impact.
Shelley McArthur Everett SMC Communications
Leading Employee/Manager – Front and Back of House
The Outstanding Employee/Manager Award in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry is a prestigious accolade designed to recognize individuals who embody exceptional leadership, dedication, and outstanding performance in their roles as employees or managers within the industry. This award celebrates nominees who not only excel in their day-to-day responsibilities but also significantly contribute to creating a positive and dynamic work environment. The Outstanding Employee/Manager Award aims to honour individuals who stand out as exemplary leaders within the restaurant and hospitality industry. Nominees for this award demonstrate a commitment to excellence, fostering a positive workplace culture, and contributing to the overall success of the establishment.
Albert Chee MOTT 32
Pierre Rosso Le Crocodile
Jeremy Luypen Independent Consultant
Supplier
The Outstanding Supplier Partner Award in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry is a prestigious honor designed to recognize and celebrate suppliers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, reliability, and innovation in providing goods and services to establishments within the industry. This award acknowledges nominees who go above and beyond in their role as partners, contributing significantly to the success and growth of the restaurants and hospitality businesses they serve. The Outstanding Supplier Partner Award seeks to honor suppliers who play a vital role in the success of the restaurant and hospitality industry. Nominees for this award should not only provide quality products and services but also actively contribute to the growth, innovation, and sustainability of the establishments they serve.
Tony Stewart Quails' Gate Estate Winery
Glorious Organics
Rising Star
The Rising Star Award in the Restaurant and Hospitality Sector is a prestigious recognition designed to celebrate and honour emerging talents who have demonstrated exceptional promise, dedication, and innovation in their early careers within the industry. This award seeks to identify and acknowledge individuals who are making a significant impact, displaying a passion for excellence, and showcasing the potential to become future leaders in the dynamic world of hospitality. The Rising Star Award in the Restaurant and Hospitality Sector seeks to identify and celebrate individuals who are on a trajectory to become future leaders, recognizing their early achievements, passion for excellence, and potential to make a lasting impact on the industry. Nominees for this award embody the spirit of innovation, dedication, and enthusiasm that defines a rising star in the dynamic world of hospitality.
Amélie and Vincent Nguyễn Anh and Chi, Me’s Marketplace by Anh and Chi, Good Thief
Hospitality Service Excellence
The Hospitality Service Excellence in Administration and/or Operations Award seeks to honour individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes, contributing to the smooth functioning and success of the restaurant and hospitality sector. Nominees for this award should exhibit excellence in both administration or operations, embodying a commitment to efficiency, innovation, and the overall enhancement of the company and a commitment to supporting the smooth functioning of the establishment. Designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, efficiency, and excellence in their roles within the administrative and/or operational aspects of the restaurant and hospitality sector. This award celebrates nominees who play a crucial behind-the-scenes role, ensuring the seamless functioning of establishments and contributing significantly to their overall success. Roles including: human resources, payroll, marketing, communications, janitorial, restaurant design - all levels of administration and operations.
Dina Moffett White Spot Hospitality
“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.”