For 25 years, The Ontario Hostelry Institute has gone about it business under the watchful eye of its revered Chair and President, J. Charles Grieco. The OHI provides recognition, scholarships and bursaries to talented young people in the hospitality industry who might not otherwise be able to afford professional training, and we all benefit from that. One of its tools is the glittering, black-tie fundraising Gala held every April (this year it’s April 23) where the year’s new Gold Award recipients are honoured. It really is the hospitality industry’s equivalent of the Oscars. A list of past winners can be found at www.theohi.ca. Meanwhile, Mr. Grieco has graciously allowed me to name the 2015 winners, chosen by a record number of past gold honorees at a breakfast meeting last Monday.
The Chairman’s OHI LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT GOLD AWARDS – 2015
MITCH KOSTUCH – Chair, Kostuch Media (posthumously)
JOHN ROTHSCHILD – Vice-Chair, Cara Operations
GREY SISSONS – Chairman, Sir Corp.
GOLD AWARD HONOREES
Foodservice Chain/Group Operator: Pearle Hospitality Group – Aaron Ciancone, Jeff Crump
Independent Restaurateur: Rob Gentile and the King Street Group
Hotelier: Robert Housez – GM, Delta Meadowvale & Conference Centre
Educator: Chef John Higgins – Director & Corporate Chef, The Chef’s School
Media: Claudia Bianchi – Culinary Producer and Food Stylist
Chef: Keith Froggett – Executive Chef, Scaramouche
Supplier: Gordon Food Service – Dean Noble, President
Artisan: Ruth Klahsen – Cheese Maker and Owner, Monforte Dairy
Huge congratulations to one and all!