MARCH 1-3, 2020

ENERCARE CENTRE, TORONTO
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2019 RC SHOW RECAP VIDEO

SPEAKERS & INFLUENCERS

INDUSTRY EXPERTS & INNOVATORS

Experience a line-up of global leaders, hospitality innovators and foodservice futurists.

We are working on our 2020 Line-up...Browse last year's roster of speakers

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Terry O'Reilly

Host, CBC's Under the Influence

Terry O'Reilly

Host, CBC's Under the Influence

RC Leadership Conference
Monday, February 25 - 8:30AM - 12:30PM
Hotel X Toronto

Terry began his career in radio and then went on to become an award-winning copywriter for a number of Toronto advertising agencies, creating campaigns for many of the top brands in the country. In 1990, he co-founded Pirate Radio & Television with a staff of 50, with 8 recording studios in Toronto and New York City. When Terry;’s not creating advertising, he’s talking about it as the host of the award-winning CBC Radio One/Sirius Satellite/WBEZ Chicago radio show, “Under The Influence,” which was the follow-up to the hit series, “The Age of Persuasion.” He has been given Lifetime Achievement Awards by the Advertising & Design Club of Canada, The Television Bureau of Canada, and the American Marketing Association.

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Donald Burns

The Restaurant Coach & Author of Your Restaurant Sucks!

Donald Burns

The Restaurant Coach & Author of Your Restaurant Sucks!

RC Leadership Conference
Monday, February 25 - 8:30AM - 1:00PM
Hotel X Toronto

Competition Sucks! How to Break Free From Average and Dominate Your Market
Monday, February 25, 4:15PM-5:00PM
Presentation Theatre

Donald is The Restaurant Coach, named one of The Top Restaurant Experts to Follow in 2016, 2017, and 2018. He is the leading authority, speaker, and international coach on how restaurant owners, operators, and culinary professionals go from just good to becoming outstanding. He is also the author behind Your Restaurant Sucks! Embrace The Suck. Unleash Your Restaurant. Become Outstanding.

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Natalie Green

Head of Industry, Food & Beverage, Google Canada

Natalie Green

Head of Industry, Food & Beverage, Google Canada

RC Leadership Conference
Monday, February 25 - 8:30AM - 1:00PM
Hotel X Toronto

Natalie is the Head of Industry for Google Canada's Food, Beverage & Restaurants team, a role she has held for over 3 years. In this role she has developed a passion for using digital to help drive growth in the Canadian food industry. Prior to joining Google Natalie was a Senior Director of Marketing Strategy & Communications at Indigo, and spent over 11 years at L'Oreal in various Marketing Leadership positions, in both the US and Canada. Nat has her BA from Queen's University and her MBA from McGill.

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Angela Donnelly (1)

Angela Donnelly

Leadership Consultant & Founder, Corethentic

Angela Donnelly

Leadership Consultant & Founder, Corethentic

RC Leadership Conference
Monday, February 25 - 8:30AM - 1:00PM
Hotel X Toronto

Creating Sustainability From Within
Monday, February 25, 2:15PM-3:00PM
Presentation Theatre

Working with Anthropologist and Leadership Expert Etsko Schuitema, Angela combines extensive business experience with her passion for people development, to unlock human excellence within organizations. She believes in closing the gap between brand promise and customer experience through authentic employee engagement, cultivated by empowerment and accountability.

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David Allison

Valuegraphics Data Pioneer & Consumer Behaviour Expert

David Allison

Valuegraphics Data Pioneer & Consumer Behaviour Expert

Breakfast with Champions
Tuesday, February 26 - 7:00AM - 10:00AM
Hotel X Toronto

David Allison created Valuegraphics, the first big data tool that gives organizations and industries the data they need to motivate a target audience using core human values. He is an accomplished keynote speaker and has taught a full-slate of marketing courses at the University of Calgary School of Business. He has written three books on various market-motivation techniques, including he most recent book out October 2018 called Valuegraphics, We Are All The Same Age Now, which provides the first big data response to post-demographic audience profiles for Canada and the USA.

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Adam Corrin

Chief Operating Officer, Freshii

Adam Corrin

Chief Operating Officer, Freshii

Breakfast With Champions
Tuesday, February 26 - 7:00AM - 10:00AM
Hotel X Toronto

Adam Corrin has served as our Chief Operating Officer since January 4, 2016 and as a Director since January 25, 2017. Adam joined Freshii in March 2010 as a corporate unit-level manager and held a number of operational positions at Freshii since that time - ranging from a corporate multi-unit manager to a store opening trainer to a field consultant to franchise development. Adam Corrin has been engaged in the line of business associated with the franchise since March 2010.

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Susan Senecal

President & CEO, A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.

Susan Senecal

President & CEO, A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.

The CEO Panel
Monday, February 25 - 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Speaker Stage

Susan Senecal is President and Chief Executive Officer of A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. With over 900 restaurants, A&W is the second largest hamburger restaurant chain in Canada and is one of Canada’s leading franchisors. Having joined the company as an Area Manager in 1992, Susan has since held the positions of Regional Director of Operations, General Manager Quebec, Vice President of Operations and Chief Marketing Officer. In February 2018, Susan Senecal became President and CEO, becoming the fifth CEO in the Company's 62-year history, and the first-ever fully bilingual CEO and woman in the role.

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Chuck Muth

Chief Growth Officer,
Beyond Meat

Chuck Muth

Chief Growth Officer, Beyond Meat

Breakfast With Champions
Tuesday, February 26, 7:00AM-10:00AM

Capitalizing on Plant-Based Menus: This is just the Veganing
Tuesday, February 24 - 11:00AM - 11:45AM
Speaker Stage

Muth is the Chief Growth Officer of Beyond Meat responsible for driving global distribution and growth. At Beyond Meat, Chuck has been instrumental in building a high performing sales and commercial organization and attracting top talent to support brand growth. Prior to joining Beyond Meat, Chuck had a long career in the beverage industry most recently leading Sales and Commercial as SVP at Coca-Cola's Venturing and Emerging Brands business unit.

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Jessica Cravero

Jessica Cavero

Regional Vice President, Technomic

Jessica Cavero

Regional Vice President, Technomic

RC Leadership Conference
Monday, February 25 - 8:30AM-12:30PM

Breakfast With Champions
Tuesday, February 25, 7:00AM-10:00AM

Jessica joined Technomic in 2010. As Regional Vice President, she is responsible for business development and client relationships for clients based in Canada, the US and all Technomic global engagements outside North America.  Jessica and her team provide strategic support to clients through Technomic’s online Ignite resources, syndicated reports and custom research engagements conducted by Technomic’s Advisory and Research and Insights team.

Jessica ensures Technomic is providing their clients with key industry data is actionable to their strategic and tactical business planning process.

Prior to joining Technomic, she worked for 5 years on the operator side of the business in a variety of sales and marketing roles for Clubcorp Inc.  Clubcorp is the largest owner and operator of private clubs in the United States with over 200 city and country club locations.

A graduate of the University of Iowa, Jessica holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, a minor in French and an International Business Certificate.  She has also completed post graduate studies in French, Spanish and Italian while living abroad.

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Mike McLean

Mixxit Ambassador, Beam Suntory

Mike McLean

Mixxit Ambassador, Beam Suntory

Cocktail Presentation - Ice Cutting Demo,
Sunday, February 24, 1:30PM-2:15PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

The Future of Whisk(e)y - Trends around the world & the ever-evolving palettes of consumers
Sunday, February 24, 3:45PM-4:30PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Mike McLean is a veteran of the hospitality industry with over 25 years experience behind the bar. Mike is currently the Program Coordinator and Lead Trainer for the Mixxit Canada training program from Beam Suntory. He can often be found at industry events and trade shows as an Ambassador for the full range of Beam Suntory brands.

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Evelyn-Wiseman-Akerman

Evelyn Wiseman Akerman

Senior Director of Marketing and Community, Yelp.com

Evelyn Wiseman Akerman

Senior Director of Marketing and Community, Yelp.com

Marketing Beyond Your Walls
Sunday, February 24 - 11:00AM-11:45AM
Speaker Stage

Evelyn is the Senior Marketing & Community Director for Yelp here in Toronto. She's been with Yelp since 2012 and has never met a snack she doesn't love. She lives in Parkdale, TO with her husband and their 1.5 kiddos.

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Charles-Khabouth

Charles Khabouth

CEO & Founder, INK Entertainment

Charles Khabouth

CEO & Founder, INK Entertainment

Ones to Watch Panel
Monday, February 24, 3:00PM-3:45PM
Speaker Stage

CEO and Founder of INK Entertainment, Charles has been a recognized entrepreneur, visionary and fashion icon in the Canadian nightlife scene since the early 1980's with Toronto's groundbreaking Club Z and legendary nightclub Stilife. His risky out of the box ideas and determined point of view have set the foundation and fueled the aspiration for a thriving hospitality industry in downtown Toronto. While his list of partners has included the likes of Loews Hotel & Resorts and Lifetime Developments for Bisha Hotel & Residences, Charles has brought a strategic and trailblazing philosophy to an otherwise stereotyped industry. This has earned him a revered spot amongst Canada's elite as a transformer that has changed the face of entertainment and built INK to be one of the country's most reputable companies.

Charles has made a career of elegantly fusing together art and commerce, and continues to do so through his evolution in business and imagination. This has led him to expand his professional repertoire to include restaurateur, and hotelier. Pushing the envelope whenever he can, Charles appreciates shock value and has the keen intuition of giving the public what it wants even before they know it themselves. In October 2018, Khabouth was named The EY (Ernst and Young) Entrepreneur Of The Year™ in the Ontario entertainment and hospitality category.

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John E. Betts

President & CEO, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited

John E. Betts

President & CEO, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited

The CEO Panel
Monday, February 25 - 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Speaker Stage

Under John Betts’ leadership, McDonald’s Canada has achieved incredible business momentum, achieving over ten consecutive years of annual sales and guest count growth.
John’s passion for the McDonald’s brand is brought to life by a strong focus on responding to the needs of McDonald’s guests and employees – and exceeding their expectations from coast to coast. McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited and its Canadian franchisees own and operate over 1,450 restaurants and employ more than 100,000 Canadians.

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Frank Hennessey

CEO, Recipe Unlimited Corporation

Frank Hennessey

Chief Executive Officer, Recipe Unlimited Corporation

The CEO Panel
Monday, February 25 - 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Speaker Stage

Frank Hennessey is Chief Executive Officer of Recipe Unlimited Corporation and brings more than 30 years of restaurant, food manufacturing and grocery retail experience to his role. Frank returns to Recipe where he held various executive leadership roles including Vice President of Purchasing and President of Harvey’s restaurants. Following several years of organizational growth and change, Frank takes the Recipe helm at an exciting time and will work with leadership to guide the company through the next levels of transformation, innovation and growth.

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Nivera Wallani

President & General Manager, KFC Canada, Yum! Brands

Nivera Wallani

President & General Manager, KFC Canada, Yum! Brands

The CEO Panel
Monday, February 25 - 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Speaker Stage

A compelling strategic leader at Yum! Brands for Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in Canada. Nivera is entrepreneurial at heart and is recognized for her impassioned approach and dynamic thought provoking leadership that inspires action. Nivera has established a strong presence in the food industry and business world through her commitment to corporate responsibility and people culture within organizations.

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Michael-Conway

Michael Conway

Executive Vice President & President, Starbucks Canada

Michael Conway

Executive Vice President & President, Starbucks Canada

The CEO Panel
Monday, February 25 - 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Speaker Stage

Michael Conway is executive vice president and president, Starbucks Canada. He oversees 1,400 company-operated stores and 23,000 partners. Michael is known as a leader who is committed to living Starbucks Mission and Values. He is personally championing the company’s social impact agenda as a leader in hiring Opportunity Youth and refugees, and is driving an ambitious agenda to operate Starbucks stores in Canada in greener ways. Previously, he served as executive vice president and president for Starbucks Licensed Stores business for the United States & Latin America.

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Kiki-Adams

Kiki Adami

CEO & Founder, Veganizer

Kiki Adami

CEO & Founder, Veganizer

Capitalizing on Plant-Based Menus: This is just the Veganing
Tuesday, February 26 - 11:00AM - 11:45AM
Speaker Stage

Kiki Adami spent 6 years in large-scale hospitality as programming director, responsible for overall guest experience for Holland America Cruise Line. In 2017, she resigned to become the first, professional Veganizer. Since then, she's helped dozens of companies find their new identities in new age food service.

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Dan Flanagan

CEO & President, Flanagan Foodservice Inc.

Dan Flanagan

CEO & President, Flanagan Foodservice Inc.

The Evolution of Foodservice Distribution
Sunday, February 24 - 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Speaker Stage

Dan Flanagan is President and CEO of Flanagan Foodservice Inc., the largest privately-owned, Canadian broadline foodservice distributor serving the Ontario market. Dan joined the family business in 1982 and his past positions included Vice-President, Finance and Executive Vice-President, before being appointed to his current position in 1998.

He is currently a board member and past chair of the National Foodservice Distributors Association (Canada) as well as a past president of the Centre for Family Business (CFFB). He is also a director on the Board of Associated Food Distributors (AFD) and the GS1 Canada Foodservice Sector Board.

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Zak Weston

Corporate Engagement Specialist, Good Food Institute

Zak Weston

Corporate Engagement Specialist, Good Food Institute

Sustainability in Your Operations: How Less Can Be More
Monday, February 25 - 12:00PM - 1:45PM
Speaker Stage

Zak works at the Good Food Institute (GFI), an international nonprofit focused on creating a healthy and sustainable food system through plant-based protein innovation and cellular agriculture. He partners with leading food brands, grocery stores, foodservice operators, and restaurants to help increase the quality and quantity of their plant-based offerings and meet the growing consumer demand for plant-based foods.

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Bruce McAdams

Bruce McAdams

Assistant Professor, University of Guelph

Bruce McAdams

Assistant Professor, School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management, University of Guelph

Sustainability in Your Operations: How Less Can Be More
Monday, February 25 -12:00PM-12:45PM
Speaker Stage

Professor Bruce McAdams graduated from the University of Guelph’s School of Hotel and Food Administration in 1989 and built a 20 year career working in restaurant operations. His resume includes Red Lobster and a 13-year tenure at O&B where he was involved in the expansion of the group, was made partner in Oliver & Bonacini Synergy in 2001 and five years later was named Vice President of Operations for the company.

After completing his Master of Arts degree in Leadership from the University of Guelph in 2009 McAdams left O&B to join the faculty at the School of Hospitality, Food, and Tourism Management. In 2011 McAdams started the University of Guelph Sustainable Restaurant Project (UGSRP). UGSRP holds yearly symposiums on issues regarding sustainability in Canadian restaurants and acts as a research avenue for both faculty and students.

McAdams has co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles on restaurant food waste, the effects of tipping on restaurants, food allergy training in food-service, and embedding triple bottom line approaches at hospitality schools. He has presented his research at conferences in Europe, the United States, and Canada and has recieved numerous awards for his outstanding teaching and research.

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Steve Riley

Chief Beer Guy, Better Beer

Steve Riley

Chief Beer Guy, Better Beer

Draft Profitability - Benefits of a well curated draught beer lineup
Sunday, February 24, 11:45AM-12:30PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Steve Riley spent 12+ years in various restaurant operational roles before transitioning into the beer business in 2001. Since then, Steve has been helping hospitality professionals sleep better each night by solving their draught beer issues. The Chief Beer Guy at Canada’s draught beer quality program, BetterBeer.com, Steve is considered the industry’s go-to guy for improving draught quality, profitability, and sales at the point of sale.

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Dan-Carter

Dan Carter

CEO & Founder, Canadian Hemp Farmers Alliance

Dan Carter

CEO & Founder, Canadian Hemp Farmers Alliance

Future of Cannabis in Canada: When will POT be in our POTS?
Tuesday, February 26 - 12:00PM - 12:45PM
Speaker Stage

Dan Carter is CEO and Founder of the Canadian hemp farmers Alliance. He was born in Burlington Ontario and is an ex-professional hockey player who hung up the skates to pursue a career as a hemp outdoor cultivation farmer for CBD, grain and fibre.

In his first year of operation, he grouped together 15 hemp farmers in Ontario and worked with them to establish third party manufacturing and product developments and supply contracts for the members under the Canadian Hemp Farmers Alliance. Dan currently oversees 1,500 acres of hemp cultivation in Ontario and is working with the Ontario government to establish Ontario’s first ever full hemp plant processing facility with product development for fall of 2019.

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Court Desautels

Group Leader & CEO, Neighbourhood Group of Companies

Court Desautels

Group Leader & CEO, Neighbourhood Group of Companies

Sustainability Restaurant Discussion
Monday, February 25 - 1:00PM-1:30PM
Speaker Stage

Court Desautels is the President of the Neighbourhood Group of Companies, a Certified B Corporation that operates restaurants in Guelph & Kitchener under the names: The Wooly Pub, Borealis Grille & Bar, Miijidaa Cafe + Bistro and Park Grocery Deli & Bar. He is an innovative leader who has a vision of combining first-class hospitality with a dedication to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

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rebecca-mckenzie

Rebecca McKenzie

President & CEO, Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance

Rebecca McKenzie

President & CEO, Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance

Sustainability in Your Operations: How Less Can Be More
Monday, February 25, 12:00PM-12:45PM
Speaker Stage

Passionate about agriculture, tourism, and culture, Rebecca is fortunate that in her role as President & CEO for the Culinary Tourism Alliance that she has the opportunity to work with stakeholders across the food tourism value chain. The Culinary Tourism Alliance works with communities around the world to support the development of local economies through building new business partnerships and community-driven experiences that showcase "taste of place"

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Janine-Windsor

Janine Windsor

President & Founder, LEAF

Janine Windsor

President & Founder, LEAF

Sustainability Restaurant Discussion
Monday, February 25 - 1:00PM-1:30PM
Speaker Stage

Janine Windsor is a Registered Dietitian, and President and Founder of LEAF (Leaders in Environmentally Accountable Foodservice), a non-profit organization that works to reduce the environmental impact of the Canadian Foodservice industry through certification and advocacy.

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Stephen-Dixon

Stephen Dixon

President, Know Energy

Stephen Dixon

President, Know Energy

Sustainability in Your Operations: How Less Can Be More
Monday, February 25 - 12:00PM-12:45PM
Speaker Stage

No to Low Cost Energy Efficiency Strategies Sunday, February 24, 3:00PM-3:30PM
Eco Stage

Deciphering your Electricity Bill
Monday, February 25, 11:00AM-11:30AM
Eco Stage

Save On Energy Foodservice Forum
Monday, February 25, 1:30PM-4:30PM

No to Low Cost Energy Efficiency Strategies Tuesday, February 26, 3:00PM-3:30PM
Eco Stage

Stephen Dixon, BSc, MASc, has for 37 years, provided energy management services to over 1,000 industrial, commercial, institutional and utility organizations. Having delivered more than 1,700 energy workshops, inspiring greater than 25,000 people, he is recognized as a leader in energy training. Stephen’s focus is simple; to empower all that he works with to use energy more effectively by developing individual skills, organizational best practices and providing tools for better energy use

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Andrew Marsh

Andrew Marsh

Senior Strategist & Director of Marketing, Search Engine People

Andrew Marsh

Senior Strategist & Director of Marketing, Search Engine People

Marketing Beyond Your Walls
Sunday, February 24 - 11:00AM-11:45AM
Speaker Stage

Andrew is the Senior Strategist and Director of Marketing for Search Engine People, Canada's top digital marketing agency. He has had the opportunity to build strategy for some of Canada's biggest and smallest (but up and coming) brands. He takes a great deal of pride in help businesses grow via effective digital marketing campaigns and tactics.

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David-Barber

David Barber

Vice President Canada, Broadline Distribution

David Barber

Vice President Canada, Broadline Distribution

The Evolution of Foodservice Distribution
Sunday, February 24 - 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Speaker Stage

David has been working with GFS (Gordon Food Services) for thirteen years, the first four years as President of GFS Edmonton, followed by nine years as President of GFS Calgary. David was responsible to enthusiastically lead, coach and mentor the Senior Leadership Team to high performance while ensuring return expectations were met. Additional responsibilities include building and executing on the strategic plan and cultural initiatives. David recently accepted the challenge as Vice President, Canada Broadline Distribution.

David has been in the food distribution industry for over 30 years. Prior to joining GFS, David was the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Centennial Foodservice where he was responsible for financial results; cost control, implementing new business strategies, acquisition and profitability analysis. David also spent several years with Scott National in Calgary before relocating to Toronto where he assumed the role of Vice President and C.F.O. for SERCA Foodservices, and later for SYSCO Foodservice’s Canadian operations.

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Lucy Cullen

Lucy Cullen

Co-Founder & CEO, Terus

Lucy Cullen

Co-Founder & CEO, Terus

Sustainability in Your Operations: How Less Can Be More
Monday, February 25 - 12:00PM-12:45PM
Speaker Stage

Reducing Waste in Foodservice
Sunday, February 24 - 12:00PM-12:30PM
Tuesday, February 26 - 12:00PM-12:30PM
Eco Stage

Lucy has over 9 years experience working in the hospitality industry, from host to manager. Lucy has an Honours Bachelors in Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto, and has studied environmental science in Australia and Ecuador. She has combined her passion for hospitality and the environment to create Terus, a social enterprise that helps restaurants reduce waste and save money. Lucy was also named one of Canada's Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalists in 2017 and 2018.

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Ciro Iovine

Owner, Song’ E Napule NYC

Ciro Iovine

Job Title: Owner, Song’ E Napule NYC

Bellavita’s Art of Pizzamaking
Monday, February 25, 3:15PM-4:00PM
Culinary Stage,

Born and raised in Naples (Italy), Ciro Iovine's pizzeria Song’ E Napule' in New York City was awarded as Best Italian Pizzeria of the Year 2018 by the Top Italian Restaurants guide by Gambero Rosso.

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rio

Rio Infantino

CEO & Founder, Copper Branch

Rio Infantino

CEO & Founder, Copper Branch

Capitalizing on Plant-Based Menus: This is just the Veganing
Tuesday, February 26 - 11:00AM - 11:45AM
Speaker Stage

Copper Branch was founded on the idea that food should always empower our bodies and inspire our lives. Founder and CEO of Copper Branch, Rio Infantino, has over 30 years combined restaurant experience and an incredible passion for health, fitness, and plant-based nutrition. Seeing a void in the healthy fast-casual industry, Rio spent years developing the plant-powered fast-casual concept that has become Copper Branch, implementing aggressive growth plans to expand Copper Branch around the globe.

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Ned Bell

Ned Bell

Executive Chef, Ocean Wise

Ned Bell

Executive Chef, Ocean Wise

Delicious, Sustainable Seafood
Monday, February 25, 1:15PM-2:00PM
Culinary Stage

Ned Bell is a popular Canadian chef, personality, founder of Chefs for Oceans, the Ocean Wise Executive Chef, and now author of Lure: Sustainable Seafood Recipes from the West Coast. Ned founded Chefs for Oceans in 2014 to raise awareness and advocate for responsible seafood choices while highlighting the importance of healthy oceans, lakes and rivers. He launched this commitment with an 8,700km bike ride across Canada, staging dozens of awareness building events along the way. Bell's commitments to seafood stewardship has continued ever since.

Bell is well known for his ability to excite, inspire and educate individuals looking to make a broader commitment to sustainable seafood. Bell continues to make sustainable seafood his mission and is always looking for ways to strategize opportunities. As the father of three sons, Fin, Max and Jet, Chef Bell is dedicated to inspiring Canadians to become part of the solution for healthier oceans for today's children and generations to come.

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Philman-George

Philman George

Corporate Chef, High Liner Culinary

Philman George

Corporate Chef, High Liner Culinary

A Fresh Look at Frozen Seafood
Sunday, February 24, 2:15PM-3:00PM
Sunday, February 24, 4:15PM-5:00PM
Monday, February 25, 2:15PM-3:00PM
Culinary Stage

Delicious, Sustainable Seafood
Monday, February 25, 1:15PM-2:00PM
Culinary Stage

Philman has worked in a wide variety of establishments from the traditional English style pub to award winning restaurants, private clubs & hotels In Canada, Australia and the Caribbean. Chef Philman pulls from all his past experiences to create food that is highly flavourful and approachable. His goal is to place craveable, sustainable seafood on your menu and help you generate more profit through the “Heart of the House” aka the kitchen!

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Crystal-Luxmore

Crystal Luxmore

Co-founder of Beer Sisters & Advanced Cicerone®

Crystal Luxmore

Co-founder of Beer Sisters & Advanced Cicerone®

Four Ways to Up Your Beer Game
Sunday, February 24, 2:45PM-3:30PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Three Experts Walk Into a Bar
Sunday, February 24, 4:15PM-5:00PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

Crystal Luxmore is a national beer writer and the co-founder of Beer Sisters Inc., a Toronto based beer consultancy. An Advanced Cicerone®, she represents the Cicerone Certification Program in Canada. Her beer stories have appeared in the Globe & Mail, LCBO Food & Drink, ELLE Canada and more. She creates beer menus, works with food and beverage brands to lead beer education and tastings, and speaks at major food and drink festivals in North America.Sunday, February 24, 2:45PM-3:30PM

 

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Viktoria-Belle

Viktoria Belle

Founder, Dandelion Initiative

Viktoria Belle

Founder, Dandelion Initiative

Safer Bars & Spaces - How to create a safer space for your patrons and your staff
Tuesday, February 26, 2:30PM-3:15PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Viktoria Belle is an education in the city of Toronto, with over 10 years professional industry experience. She is the founder of the Dandelion Initiative a grassroots not for profit by survivors for survivors, that aims to create safer spaces through survivor centric work. Viktoria has contributed to numerous publications on gender based violence and delivered keynotes addressing sexual violence across Canada. She has worked to develop policies and practices that ensure inclusivity and equity

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Robert-Edwards

Robert Edwards

Business Manager, Private Sector, Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)

Robert Edwards

Business Manager, Private Sector, Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)

Save On Energy Foodservice Forum
Monday, February 25, 1:30PM-4:30PM
Hotel X Toronto

Rob maintains relationships with the largest commercial businesses in Ontario. These include commercial real estate, retail, grocery, financial institutions, accommodation, foodservice and multi-unit residential. Working at the corporate level with a provincial focus, he provides strategies to help these organizations participate in the many Save on Energy for business incentive programs delivered by local hydro companies throughout the province as well as programs offered directly by the IESO.

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Jessica van Rooyen

Head of Marketing, Uber Eats Canada

Jessica van Rooyen

Head of Marketing, Uber Eats Canada

Marketing Beyond Your Walls
Sunday, February 24, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Speaker Stage

A Queen’s Commerce grad, Jessica followed her appetite to Uber Eats after seven years at Unilever in marketing and sales, where she worked across both the Personal Care and Foods portfolios. As the Head of Marketing for Uber Eats in Canada, Jessica and her team are responsible for B2B and B2C marketing efforts to all audiences of the three-sided marketplace: Eaters, Restaurants and Delivery Partners. For all stakeholders, marketing’s efforts look to define the potential for the new and nascent food delivery category by driving awareness but also building brand love through magical programs with restaurants and brand partners.

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Tom Via

Chief Operating Officer, Woodbine Entertainment

Tom Via

Chief Operating Officer, Woodbine Entertainment

Ones to Watch
Monday, February 24, 3:00PM-3:45PM
Speaker Stage

Tom joined the Woodbine Executive Team on July 1, 2016. In his role, Tom is responsible for operating the business on a day to day basis and specifically oversees Marketing, Guest Experience, Culinary and Restaurants, Sales and Partnerships, Thoroughbred Racing and all Operations teams for the enterprise..
Tom brings to Woodbine his knowledge as an Internationally Experienced Senior Retail Executive having lead and managed businesses in Canada, USA and Australia.
His recent assignments included serving as CEO of Brookstone, an innovative gift, audio and wellness retailer based in US, SVP Babies R Us the leading US and multi-national retailer of infant care products for mom’ and their babies and President Toys R Us Australia a wholly owned operating division of Toys R Us, Inc.
Tom’s innovative leadership in developing and implementing Guest-Centric business strategies is timely for the Horse Racing industry where attracting new fans to the sport and recruiting new participants to horse ownership are crucial priorities. Moreover, his operational experience brings a focus to identifying business efficiencies that lead to strengthened operating and overhead infrastructure. Considering the significant capital-intensive expansion plans for both Woodbine Racetrack and Mohawk Park, his considerable management experience will complement the leadership necessary to navigate this exciting transition period for Woodbine Entertainment.

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Andie Shapira

Director of Menu & Nutrition, Freshii

Andie Shapira

Director of Menu & Nutrition, Freshii

Food is Medicine
Sunday, February 24, 12:00PM-12:45PM
Speaker Stage

Andie Shapira is the Director of Menu & Nutrition at Freshii, a health focused fast casual franchise with over 400 restaurants in more than 15 countries. Andie, a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, is responsible for designing Freshii’s innovative and constantly evolving menu with ingredients that promote mental and physical well-being. One of her primary foci is to locate the latest food trends and bring them to guests in a convenient, healthy and affordable way. Andie prides herself in being in regular contact with Freshii’s loyal fan base, helping them to navigate through the brands customizable and nutrition-led menu in order to choose options that best suit their dietary needs.

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Lianne Phillipson

Registered Nutritionist, Author & Speaker, Sprout Right and Lianne Phillipson Nutrition

Lianne Phillipson

Registered Nutritionist, Entrepreneur, Author & Speaker, Sprout Right and Lianne Phillipson Nutrition

Food is Medicine
Sunday, February 24, 12:00PM-12:45PM
Speaker Stage

Lianne Phillipson is a registered nutritionist, bestselling author, and well-known speaker. She is a leading expert and a trusted contributor to radio and television and has appeared on CityTV’s Breakfast Television, CityLine, CTV’s Your Morning, CTVNews.com, CP24 and CHCH’s Morning Live. She’s also a nutrition expert on NewsTalk1010, part of the iHeartRadio network. Phillipson is raising two healthy daughters in Toronto, and has a loyal following of thousands of health-minded families.

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Darrell Bricker

CEO, Global Public Affairs, Ipsos Limited Partnership

Darrell Bricker

CEO, Global Public Affairs, Ipsos Limited Partnership

RC Leadership Conference
Tuesday, February 25, 7:00AM-10:00AM

Darrell Bricker is CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs; the world's leading social and public opinion research firm. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Carleton University and a BA, MA and Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. Darrell has written 5 bestselling books, the latest tilted: Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline (with John Ibbitson - Random House). Darrell is a popular public speaker who regularly engages with audiences around the world

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Tyler Pronyk

Regional Director, Operations, A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.

Tyler Pronyk

Regional Director, Operations, A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.

Main Stage, Sustainability Restaurant Discussion
Monday, February 25 - 1:00PM-1:30PM

Tyler Pronyk is the Regional Director, Operations, for A&W Food Services of Canada Inc, one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies (Platinum Member). A&W has over 900 restaurants from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland. A&W is the second largest burger chain in Canada, a leading franchisor, and the 5th largest brand in Canada

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Rob Nella

President, Nella Group

Rob Nella

President, Nella Group

How to Design a Restaurant
Monday, February 25, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Learning Lounge

Rob Nella is the President of Nella Group Inc. He represents the 3rd generation of family-owned Nella Group which is the largest Canadian owned national foodservice equipment dealer. Nella Group is a full service dealer that has worked on numerous projects across Canada.

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Chris Nguyen

Founder of Strangelove Coffee

Chris Nguyen

Founder of Strangelove Coffee

Invest in tech: practices to grow your business and boost sustainability
Tuesday, February 26 - 2:00PM - 2:45PM 
Speaker Stage

Born and raised in Toronto, ON Chris Nguyen brought his varied experiences in hospitality, tech, and education to tackle the challenge of introducing award-winning specialty coffee to his hometown.

Strange Love Coffee opened in 2017 in the heart of downtown Toronto combining champion brewing techniques, scientifically-engineered water, and a carefully curated craft coffee selection to result in a whole new cafe experience.

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Charlotte Langley

RC Show Culinary Curator, Owner, Scout Canning & MSC Ambassador

Charlotte Langley

RC Show Culinary Curator, Owner, Scout Canning & MSC Ambassador

Delicious Sustainable Seafood Panel
Monday, February 25, 1:15PM-2:00PM
Culinary Stage

Charlotte Langley, Restaurants Canada Culinary Curator, Scout Canning Owner and MSC Ambassador. Charlotte Langley hails from PEI where she cultivated a her ‘Maritime Chic’ style of cooking and a deep love for the oceans. She aims to nurture and inspire through food with consciously selected ingredients that celebrate season, terroir and the delicate ecosystems that sustain us. Constantly challenging herself and what it means to be a chef, Charlotte founded Scout Canning, Canada’s first fresh canned seafood company, and through her role as ambassador for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) she champions the importance of choosing seafood that is both sustainable and traceable.

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David Goldstein

President & CEO, Destination Canada

David Goldstein

President & CEO, Destination Canada

Breakfast with Champions
Tuesday, February 26, 7:00AM-10:00AM
Hotel X

David has had a long and distinguished career in Canada’s tourism and media sectors. He has extensive experience in national leadership and strategic business planning as well as deep knowledge of communications and stakeholder (government, media and investors) relations.

Before joining the Destination Canada in December 2014 as President and CEO, David led the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) from April 2010. At TIAC, David worked to increase industry alignment and has positioned the organization to forge a more forceful and credible voice for tourism issues at the national level. His long history in media and advocacy helped TIAC raise political awareness around tourism as one of the country’s leading export sectors, leading to key initiatives such as the Federal Tourism Strategy.

Previous to his work at TIAC, David spent over 14 years in the broadcast and media industry. From 2007 to 2010, David was CTVglobemedia’s Senior Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs, directing key elements of the strategic shift from analogue to digital media, driving the change from conventional TV advertising revenue to a subscription-based model and directing all of CTVglobemedia’s major regulatory and public-policy submissions.

From 2003 to 2007, David had senior roles at CHUM Limited. In his final year with the company, he was Vice-President, Government and Regulatory Affairs and led the process for mergers and acquisitions, including CHUM’s $1.7 billion acquisition by CTVglobemedia.

David began his senior media career at the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, one of Canada’s leading advocacy groups. There he developed pan-industry, government and stakeholder relations campaigns, organized cross-sector coalitions and framed key issues for regulators and MPs.

David has a Bachelor of Arts (Bilingual) in History and Political Science from York University. Away from work, he is a big fan of Canada’s farm-to-table movement and is a passionate amateur chef. David immerses himself in Canada’s winter experiences as an enthusiastic skier—but he has long since given up hope of keeping up with his kids.With nearly a decade of demand side energy management Sean brings a pragmatic perspective to energy use in the food and beverage sector. His current role as the National Energy Manager with RECIPE Unlimited Corporation requires multi-brand/location solutions to address common savings work streams. Sean is committed to innovation and the advancement of automated energy savings that allow the people he serves to deliver an amazing experience to those who matter most; guestsDavid has had a long and distinguished career in Canada’s tourism and media sectors. He has extensive experience in national leadership and strategic business planning as well as deep knowledge of communications and stakeholder (government, media and investors) relations.

Before joining the Destination Canada in December 2014 as President and CEO, David led the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) from April 2010. At TIAC, David worked to increase industry alignment and has positioned the organization to forge a more forceful and credible voice for tourism issues at the national level. His long history in media and advocacy helped TIAC raise political awareness around tourism as one of the country’s leading export sectors, leading to key initiatives such as the Federal Tourism Strategy.

Previous to his work at TIAC, David spent over 14 years in the broadcast and media industry. From 2007 to 2010, David was CTVglobemedia’s Senior Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs, directing key elements of the strategic shift from analogue to digital media, driving the change from conventional TV advertising revenue to a subscription-based model and directing all of CTVglobemedia’s major regulatory and public-policy submissions.

From 2003 to 2007, David had senior roles at CHUM Limited. In his final year with the company, he was Vice-President, Government and Regulatory Affairs and led the process for mergers and acquisitions, including CHUM’s $1.7 billion acquisition by CTVglobemedia.

David began his senior media career at the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, one of Canada’s leading advocacy groups. There he developed pan-industry, government and stakeholder relations campaigns, organized cross-sector coalitions and framed key issues for regulators and MPs.

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Manjit Minhas

Beer Baroness & CBC’s Dragon’s Den

Manjit Minhas

Beer Baroness & CBC’s Dragon’s Den

Breakfast with Champions
Tuesday, February 26, 7:00AM-10:00AM
Hotel X

Ones to Watch
Monday, February 25, 3:00PM-3:45PM
Speaker Stage

Manjit Minhas is 38 years old and was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. This Petroleum Engineering student turned beer baroness is a Dragon on the hit TV show Dragons' Den on CBC in its 13th season (for which she has been on for 4 seasons).

Manjit is the co-founder and co-owner of the Minhas Breweries, Distilleries and Wineries. She started her companies at the ripe age of 19 in Alberta, she launched her first beer in Alberta in 2002 with her business partner and brother, Ravinder Minhas, making her the youngest brewery owner in the world. Together, they gave the big boys a run for their money, thereby becoming the first successful company to enter the Canadian beer industry in many decades. Currently, she has over 90 brands of beers, spirits, liqueurs and wines. Her products are sold in 5 provinces ( Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan , Manitoba and British Columbia), as well as 45 states throughout the USA and 16 other countries .

Manjit created and manufactures a special 48 can pack of Kirkland Light beers for Costco sold around the world which has the least amount of packaging materials compared to any other product in Canada or USA. It uses no plastic hi-cone rings and needs least amount of box material. This product alone will save millions of pounds of packaging materials ending up in the already over-filled landfills. Similarly, Manjit has sold millions of cases of other brands of her beers such as Boxer Lager with minimum packaging materials using sound engineering principles in protecting the environment.

Manjit believes that effective use of science and engineering can do a lot of good in people's lives. She has used her engineering background in producing beer using least amount of cleaning and water treatment chemicals, gas, electricity and water. Canadian and American consumers suffering from the Celiac disease have also been beneficiary of her innovative method of making best tasting Gluten Free beer from Sorghum and sold at half the price of the competition.

In 2017 Manjit’s companies had revenues in excess of $187 million. To date, her breweries have sold over 7 billion pints of beer!

Manjit donates her time and money to many philanthropic endeavours that benefits youth and help educate girls in STEM. Manjit has received numerous awards including Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs in Canada, Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of The Year Finalist, Chatelaine Magazine’s Top Entrepreneur Woman of The Year and Global TV's Woman of Vision Award.

Manjit still calls Calgary home with her husband and two young daughters.

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Evelyn Chick

Bar & Beverage Stage Curator

Evelyn Chick

Bar & Beverage Stage Curator

Evelyn’s career in hospitality started in Vancouver and quickly got recognition in the Canadian bartending scene with her unique approach to flavours. Throughout the years she has accumulated pedigrees such as : BarSmarts certification, WSET, Certified Specialist of Spirits, while finding success in multiple national & international cocktail competitions, including a win at the Global Beefeater MIXLDN championships in 2015; representing Canada against 31 other countries. She was given the opportunity to travel the world promoting Canadian cocktail culture. She runs the bar program at one of the top bars in the country, PrettyUgly Bar in Toronto. Drawing from her experiences in leadership, she is an advocate for building a solid, inclusive and integrated bar community within the Canadian market. A few years ago, she took over as the Canadian coordinator of Speed Rack, an all female charity speed bartending competition. Alongside Christina Veira, they hope to build a platform in which female bartenders can showcase their skills in a male dominated industry, while simultaneously raising funds for breast cancer research and education. She has taken on the project as co-curator of the Bar & Beverage Pavillon for Restaurants Canada Show 2019, building dynamic, forward thinking educational programming for the restaurants industry. She is thrilled to be involved with our industry's rapid growth.

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Stephen Wancha

Hotel Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

Stephen Wancha

Hotel Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

Driving Your Business Through Customer Experience
Sunday, February 24 - 1:00PM - 1:45PM
Speaker Stage

A native of Toronto, Stephen is the Hotel Manager at the five diamond Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville. Previously the Hotel Manager at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago, Stephen has spent the past fifteen (15) years with the company across seven (7) hotels & resorts

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Carolina Avaria

Chef Concierge, Four Seasons Toronto & President, Les Clefs d'Or Canada

Carolina Avaria

Chef Concierge, Four Seasons Toronto & President, Les Clefs d'Or Canada

Driving Your Business Through Customer Experience
Sunday, February 24 - 1:00PM - 1:45PM
Speaker Stage

Carolina is the Chef Concierge at the Four Seasons Toronto and the President of Les Clefs d'Or Canada, an association which represents the pinnacle of service in the hospitality industry. Married to a Chef in one of Toronto's top rated restaurants, her desire to promote and inspire great customer service in restaurants and hotels is indeed her passion.

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Randy White

President, Sysco Canada

Randy White

President, Sysco Canada

The Evolution of Foodservice Distribution
Sunday, February 24, 2:00PM-2:45PM
Speaker Stage

Since 2012, Randy White has led Sysco Canada as President. Having started his foodservice career in Vancouver over 37 years ago, Randy is a proud Canadian that sees the true potential of our great Canadian marketplace!

His commitment to service excellence has driven our customer experience to new heights. Randy remains committed to growing Sysco Canada’s reach as a true partner with our Vendor and Customer communities.

Committed to rapidly expanding diversity and inclusion across our Canadian foodservice Industry, Randy sees outstanding career opportunities in foodservice for emerging generations of Canadians.

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Tom Pitera

CEO, Russell Hendrix

Tom Pitera

CEO, Russell Hendrix

The Evolution of Foodservice Distribution
Sunday, February 24, 2:00PM-2:45PM
Speaker Stage

In addition to serving as a Board member and an operating advisor to Russell Hendrix since November 2016, Tom brings over 30 years of expertise and significant distribution leadership experience to RH. Prior roles include President and/or COO at mid- and large-sized distribution companies including Pioneer Standard Electronics (nka Agilysys), Fisher Scientific, Unisource and TTT Holdings.

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Duane Ellard

Executive Director, NA Business Development & Marketing, Canada Beef

Duane Ellard

Executive Director, NA Business Development & Marketing, Canada Beef

Why buying Canadian is more important than ever
Tuesday, February 26, 1:00PM-1:45PM
Speaker Stage

Over the past 30 years, Duane has developed a well-rounded background within the beef industry that includes butchery, further processing sales and marketing. Duane’s career path has connected him with Canada’s retail & food service leaders in a variety of areas that ultimately highlighted the value of Canadian beef through national and regional direct to consumer marketing programs. Today, Duane leads Canada Beef’s direct to consumer marketing programs and continues to consult with business development.

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Lisa Bishop-Spencer

Director of Brand and Communications, Chicken Farmers of Canada

Lisa Bishop-Spencer

Director of Brand and Communications, Chicken Farmers of Canada

Why buying Canadian is more important than ever
Tuesday, February 26, 1:00PM-1:45PM
Speaker Stage

Lisa Bishop-Spencer is the Director of Brand and Communications at Chicken Farmers of Canada. She is responsible for the creation and execution of CFC's branding strategy, consumer relations programming, and market research, among other tasks in the "coop". She is also a certified Crisis Consultant with the Institute for Crisis Management and studied with the MIT/Harvard Public Disputes Program.

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Michael Conway

Executive Vice President & President, Starbucks Canada

Michael Conway

Executive Vice President & President, Starbucks Canada

CEO Panel
Monday, February 25 - 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Speaker Stage

Michael Conway is executive vice president and president, Starbucks Canada. He oversees 1,400 company-operated stores and 23,000 partners. Michael is known as a leader who is committed to living Starbucks Mission and Values. He is personally championing the company’s social impact agenda as a leader in hiring Opportunity Youth and refugees, and is driving an ambitious agenda to operate Starbucks stores in Canada in greener ways. Previously, he served as executive vice president and president for Starbucks Licensed Stores business for the United States & Latin America.

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Olivia Simpson

Co-Chef & Co-Owner, Ricky + Olivia

Olivia Simpson

Co-Chef & Co-Owner, Ricky + Olivia

Feast On® 'Best of FOODstock' Tastings

Sunday, February 24, 12:45PM-1:30PM,
Tuesday, February 26, 2:00PM-2:45PM
Local Stage

Olivia
Similar to most chefs, Olivia cooked at home quite often with her family. Her mom’s side of the family is Eastern European and food was always the main event at their gatherings. She developed a true appreciation of how to connect with people through food and different cultures.

Olivia went to school for food science and nutrition at George Brown College, but ended up in the kitchen and fell in love. What also sparked her interest was the experience you can create with people and the ability to connect with complete strangers on a common level: food.

She has worked in many kitchens in Toronto, some including; Bar Buca, Oliver and Bonacini Catering, Saturday Dinette and Hawthorne Food and Drink. Olivia also travelled and lived in New York City, staging and working in some of New York’s finest; including Dirt Candy, Mission Chinese, and Blue Hill Stone Barns

 

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Irene Matys

Irene Matys

Freelance Food Stylist & The Marilyn Denis Show Food Style Segment Expert

Irene Matys

Freelance Food Stylist & The Marilyn Denis Show Food Style Segment Expert

Food Styling Workshop
Sunday, February 24, 1:30PM-2:15PM
Restaurant of the Future

A Local Farm-To-Table Advocate, Freelance Food Stylist and Food Style Segment Expert on The Marilyn Denis Show at CTV/Bell Media, Recipe Curator, Food Photographer and author of The Spicy Olive website.

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Benjamin-Lillico

Benjamin Lillico

Executive Chef, The Rich Uncle Tavern

Benjamin Lillico

Executive Chef, The Rich Uncle Tavern

Feast On® 'Best of FOODstock' Tastings
Sunday, February 24, 2:00PM-2:45PM
Local Stage

With all of 24 years under his belt, Waterloo Region-native Benjamin Lillico is the current Executive Chef of The Rich Uncle Tavern in downtown Kitchener. Chef Benjamin comes with experience from Ontario’s only CAA five diamond awarded restaurant, the renowned Langdon Hall. He has also led kitchens with The Charcoal Group Restaurants, operator of eating establishments including Charcoal Steakhouse, The Bauer Kitchen, Beertown, Wildcraft and Moose Winooski's. Benjamin has spearheaded mentorship roles with Conestoga College and was the team captain of Junior Culinary Team Canada for the 2016 Culinary Olympics in Germany, winning multiple gold and silver medals with the team on the international stage. He has also won culinary competitions with the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Skills Ontario, and for Canada being one of the top-place finishes at the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg.

Lillico has had a long relationship with food. He participated in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program through Conestoga College and graduated from the Canadian Food and Wine Institute at Niagara College. He was a 2015 Ontario Hostelry Institute “Top 30 Under 30” recipient.

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David-Sider

David Sider

Executive Chef, The Restaurant at Redstone

David Sider

Executive Chef, The Restaurant at Redstone

Feast On® 'Best of FOODstock' Tastings
Tuesday, February 26, 12:00PM-12:45PM
Local Stage

A Vineland native, David credits his early exposure to different cultures for budding his interest in the culinary arts. Although his career had humble beginnings, starting as a dishwasher in 2006, David has had the privilege of training in three Relais & Chateaux properties as well as two Michelin-starred restaurants prior to joining the Restaurant at Redstone.

Highlights of David’s career include holding the position of Chef de Cuisine at Langdon Hall Country House Hotel and Spa, the position of Restaurant Chef at The Wickaninnish Inn, as well as winning the Ontario Hostelry Institute’s ‘Top 30 Under 30 Award’ at the age of 23.

David is currently the Executive Chef at The Restaurant at Redstone in Beamsville, Ontario and has been at the Restaurant since its opening in the summer of 2015. When he is not at the Restaurant, David spends as much time as possible with his wife, Emily, their two children, Mila and Landon, and their dog, Bentley

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Elisa-Corrigan

Elisa Corrigan

Chef & Owner, The Green Wood

Elisa Corrigan

Chef & Owner, The Green Wood

Feast On® 'Best of FOODstock' Tastings
Monday, February 25, 12:00PM-12:45PM
Local Stage

Chef and Owner Elisa Corrigan is a small town Ontario girl who is taking the beautiful bounty she was surrounded by as a kid growing up in the country, and using it to inspire a completely made-from-scratch and Ontario-local menu at her restaurant The Green Wood.

Elisa’s fresh perspective on urban eating comes not only from her country roots, but also her deep and varied experience in the kitchens of Toronto. Chef Corrigan got her start in the industry on the front of house side of things, and quickly realized that it was behind the line in the kitchen where she was supposed to be. From working in pastry at Daniel and Daniel, to developing the dessert menu at Byblos. From working the fine dining line at Grace to developing a vegan and gluten free pasty program at Urban Herbivore. From running the kitchen at the funky, street food inspired SPiN Toronto to a handful of other fascinating gigs like steakhouses and seafood joints in-between. Elisa has done it all and has developed a taste for what she thinks is good and right and well and delicious in all things food.

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Scott-McRae

Scott McRae

Head Chef, David's Restaurant

Scott McRae

Head Chef, David's Restaurant

Feast On® 'Best of FOODstock' Tastings
Monday, February 25, 2:00PM-2:45PM
Local Stage

Born in rural Ontario near London and raised in the town of Port Dover, Scott McRae found his passion for cooking while experiencing the Alaskan frontier in his formative years.  With a passion for music, literature and the arts he has combined all these into a career that has now spanned almost 2 decades in the culinary arts.

With a family background in the agriculture sector Scott has an intimate relationship to the products and the effort brought to having the plate represent the region in which he lives and works.

If you are looking for unique flavours brought forth with common local product, look no further than Chef Scott McRae.

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Julie-MacInnis

Julie MacInnes

Campaign Manager, Forward Food, HSI Canada

Julie MacInnes

Campaign Manager, Forward Food, HSI Canada

Positioning Plant-Based Menus for Success
Tuesday, February 26, 12:00PM-1:30PM
Enercare Theatre

Julie MacInnes is a campaign manager with Humane Society International/Canada. She and Riana Topan run the organization’s Forward Food program, in which they help institutions across Canada increase their offerings of delicious and nutritious plant-based options that are better for the environment, the animals, and human health. Julie’s work experience includes studying food trends for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and supporting Giant Tiger’s grocery expansion.

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Riana-Topan

Riana Topan

Campaign Manager, Forward Food, HSI Canada

Riana Topan

Campaign Manager, Forward Food, HSI Canada

Positioning Plant-Based Menus for Success
Tuesday, February 26, 12:00PM-1:30PM
Enercare Centre

Riana Topan is a campaign manager with Humane Society International/Canada. She and Julie MacInnes run the organization’s Forward Food program, in which they provide culinary trainings, recipes and menu development support, as well as help with marketing and communications – for free! Riana has followed a plant-based diet for nearly six years, and is thrilled to support institutions and companies in making their menus more sustainable.

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John-Scholl

John Scholl

Marketing Manager, Cicerone® Certification Program

John Scholl

Marketing Manager, Cicerone® Certification Program

Four Ways to Up Your Beer Game
Sunday, February 24, 2:45PM-3:30PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Certified Cicerone® John Scholl brings over ten years of knowledge from media advertising, brand activation, event planning, and social media to Cicerone® Certification Program where he is the Marketing Manager. He’s worked in the food and beverage industry since the 90’s from dishwasher to planning beer and food-themed popups. In 2016, his street food and beer themed cookbook, EAT STREET, was released. He’s an active home brewer, backyard hop grower, and founder of a lifestyle company.

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Andrew Harkness

Strategy Advisor, Organizational Health Initiatives, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)

Andrew Harkness

Strategy Advisor, Organizational Health Initiatives, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)

Mental Health in the Workplace: Stigma and Stigma Reduction
Sunday, February 24, 4:00PM-4:30PM
Learning Lounge

Mental Health in the Workplace: What Managers Need to Know
Monday, February 25, 4:00PM-4:45PM
Learning Lounge

Keep the Heat Out of the Kitchen
Tuesday, February 26, 11:00AM-11:30AM
Learning Lounge

Andrew Harkness leads WSPS’s comprehensive organizational health and workplace mental health initiatives. He is a member of the CSA/BNQ technical committee that developed the CSA Z1003-13, the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.

With more than 30 years of experience in occupational health, safety and wellness, Andrew has been a thought leader in this field and has collaborated with other key stakeholders such as the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Canadian Mental Health Association, Guarding Minds @ Work, Mary Ann Baynton, Dr. Martin Shain and others to bring mental harm prevention to workplaces in Canada.

Andrew has also traveled extensively internationally to work with governments and organizations looking to bring leading practices into their workplaces, including Hong Kong, Bahrain, Brazil, Uruguay, India and Kenya.

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Sean McFetridge

National Energy Manager, Recipe Unlimited Corporation

Sean McFetridge

National Energy Manager, Recipe Unlimited Corporation

Save On Energy Foodservice Forum
Monday, February 25, 1:30PM-4:30PM
Hotel X

With nearly a decade of demand side energy management Sean brings a pragmatic perspective to energy use in the food and beverage sector. His current role as the National Energy Manager with RECIPE Unlimited Corporation requires multi-brand/location solutions to address common savings work streams. Sean is committed to innovation and the advancement of automated energy savings that allow the people he serves to deliver an amazing experience to those who matter most; guests

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Eva Greff

Project Manager & Business Consultant, New Spring Energy

Eva Greff

Project Manager & Business Consultant, New Spring Energy

How to Give your Sustainability a Jolt
Tuesday, February 26 - 11:00AM-11:30AM
Eco Stage

Eva has extensive training in a sustainability field. She is an accredited ISSP Sustainability Associate, sustainability auditor for LEAF (Leaders in Environmentally Accountable Foodservice) as well as has training in energy management. She has worked with many foodservice businesses to incorporate sustainable practices into their day-to-day operation.

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Jay Lugar

Program Director, Canada, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Jay Lugar

Program Director, Canada, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Delicious Sustainable Seafood Panel
Monday, February 25, 1:15PM-2:00PM
Culinary Stage

For over 25 years Jay has cultivated a deep understanding of the marine sector and seafood markets. He applies his passion for impact driven solutions to help grow the MSC program in Canada with the goal of achieving healthy oceans through science-based, audited sustainability and Ocean to Plate traceability.

In doing so he develops and manages direct relationships with fisheries, commercial supply chain partners, conservation groups, and other stakeholders in all regions of the country.

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Tess Sawyer

Bar Consultant & Founder, Bar Benefits

Tess Sawyer

Bar Consultant & Founder, Bar Benefits

Happy Staff, Happy Guests - Wellness, Health & A Sustainable Bar Team
Tuesday, February 26, 1:30PM-2:15PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Tess Anne Sawyer has been in the Restaurant and Beverage industry for 16 years. Eight years behind some of the most beastly bars in New York City has projected her to bartend globally and earn a National Speed Rack title. Living and working in different cities over the years has lead to a great appreciation and passion for the bartending community. She hopes to help build the community in whatever city she is in with her project Bar Benefits.

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Sarah Parniak

Seedlip Canadian Brand Ambassador & Drinks Writer

Sarah Parniak

Seedlip Canadian Brand Ambassador & Drinks Writer

86 Mocktails - A Guide to No/ Low Alcohol Alternatives, a trend that's here to stay!
Tuesday, February 26, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

Sarah Parniak is the Canadian Brand Ambassador for Seedlip, the world's first distilled non-alcoholic spirits.

She's also a drinks writer with a bottomless curiosity for beverages. Her work has been published in Toronto Life, enRoute, Foodism, Quench and NOW Magazine.

In a former life she spent most of her time behind bars, from Cold Tea to Alo, and has represented Canada in international cocktail competitions.

Find her on Instagram and Twitter @s_parns.

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Michelle Tham

Certified Cicerone®, Head of Education, Labatt Breweries of Canada

Michelle Tham

Certified Cicerone®, Head of Education, Labatt Breweries of Canada

Elevated Sports Bar
Monday, February 25, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Data & Analytics to your Advantage
Sunday, February 24, 12:45PM-1:15PM,
Bar & Beverage Stage

Three Experts Walk Into a Bar
Sunday, February 24, 4:15PM-5:00PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

Lunch Break! - Unconventional Food Pairings with Beer with Lunch Break! Beer Pairings with Local Cheeses
Monday, February 25, 12:45PM-1:15PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

Michelle Tham is the Head of Education at Labatt Breweries of Canada, responsible for leading a culture of beer education and appreciation across the country. A Certified Cicerone®, MBAA Beer Steward, and Recognized BJCP Beer Judge, Michelle holds a professional level of knowledge related to all things beer. Michelle’s expertise on beer and food pairing has been featured on Global News, The Globe & Mail, CTV Morning Live, Ottawa Life, and Fashion Magazine.

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Stephanie Lamb

National Grey Goose Ambassador of Canada, Team Enterprises / Grey Goose & Co-founder, Bar Benefits

Stephanie Lamb

National Grey Goose Ambassador of Canada, Team Enterprises / Grey Goose & Co-founder, Bar Benefits

Happy Staff, Happy Guests - Wellness, Health & A Sustainable Bar Team
Tuesday, February 26, 1:15PM-2:00PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Stephanie worked in the service industry as a bartender for nearly a decade, before getting hired as Canada’s National Grey Goose Ambassador in 2017. She is not just an advocate for vodka, but also co-founder of Bar Benefits, an organization that strives to bring back balance, Health & Wellness to our hard working Hospitality heros.

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Ariel Coplan

Co-Founder, Not 9 to 5

Ariel Coplan

Co-Founder, Not 9 to 5

Bar & Beverage Stage, Happy Staff, Happy Guests - Wellness, Health & A Sustainable Bar Team
Tuesday, February 26, 1:30PM-2:15PM

Ariel Coplan is one of the co-founders of Not 9 to 5, a Canadian non-profit organization aimed at normalizing the conversation around mental health and addiction in the food and beverage industry. The goal is to break the stigma and shame plus encourage a healthier mental wellbeing for both employers and employees. Ariel Has been working in the industry for 15 years. He has worked in Michelin star restaurants for several years. He is a Chef and restaurant owner.

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Hassel Aviles

Co-Founder, Not 9 to 5

Hassel Aviles

Co-Founder, Not 9 to 5

Happy Staff, Happy Guests - Wellness, Health & A Sustainable Bar Team
Tuesday, February 26, 1:15PM-2:00PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Hassel Aviles is a co-founder of Not 9 to 5, a Canadian non-profit organization aimed at normalizing the conversation around mental health and addiction in the food and beverage industry. The goal is to break down the stigma & shame plus encourage a healthier mental wellbeing for both employers and employees. Hassel has over a decade of experience working in the industry, is a former restaurateur and now focuses primarily on event production.

She's also a drinks writer with a bottomless curiosity for beverages. Her work has been published in Toronto Life, enRoute, Foodism, Quench and NOW Magazine.

In a former life she spent most of her time behind bars, from Cold Tea to Alo, and has represented Canada in international cocktail competitions.

Find her on Instagram and Twitter @s_parns.

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Christina Kuypers

Vice President, Operations & Guest Experience, Cineplex

Christina Kuypers

Vice President, Operations & Guest Experience, Cineplex

Elevated Entertainment Experiences
Monday, February 25, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Speaker Stage

Entertainment in Bars - The evolution of bar spaces by incorporating Gaming
Tuesday, February 26, 12:00PM-12:45PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

Progress vs Perfection - On Bar Mentorship
Tuesday, February 26, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Christina Kuypers is a hospitality executive with more than 15 years of experience in operations management, concept development and consulting with leading hotels and restaurants in Toronto, Vancouver, Miami and Dubai. As VP of Operations & Guest Experience at Cineplex, Christina currently oversees a multi-brand portfolio of large-scale and high-volume entertainment venues across Canada. Christina is passionate about creating memorable guest experiences and developing talent in hospitality.

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Nicole Campbell

Co-Founder, Grape Witches & Buyer, Lifford Wine & Spirits

Nicole Campbell

Co-Founder, Grape Witches & Buyer, Lifford Wine & Spirits

How to Curate an Interesting & Diverse Wine List Monday, February 25, 2:45PM- 3:15PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

Nicole Campbell is the natural wine buyer for Lifford Wine & Spirits, one of Canada's leading wine agencies. She spent almost a decade selling wine to some of the best restaurants across Canada before transitioning to a buying role. She co-founded Grape Witches - specializing in natural wine education and events - with Krysta Oben in 2017, which keeps her exceptionally busy throwing wild wine parties across Canada.

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Josh Lindley

Co-Founder, Bartender Atlas

Josh Lindley

Co-Founder, Bartender Atlas

Success Beyond the Bar - How to market and build your career beyond the wood
Sunday, February 24, 1:45PM-2:30PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Co-creator at Bartender Atlas (bartenderatlas.com), Josh Lindley has been bartending in Toronto since 2007. Josh has worked at such establishments as Campagnolo, The Drake Hotel, Bar Isabel and The Harbord Room. He has contributed to many magazines, tv shows and newspapers with his recipes and opinions. Currently pouring at Chantecler, he enjoys being an ambassador to Toronto and talking about horror movies and music.

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Toni Weber

Beverage Director, Giulietta Restaurant

Toni Weber

Beverage Director, Giulietta Restaurant

New blood vs Old blood Sommelier: Image, Credentials & Experience
Monday, February 25, 12:00PM-12:45PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

How to Curate an Interesting & Diverse Wine List
Monday, February 25, 2:45PM- 3:15PM

Toni Weber is the Beverage director for Giulietta, an exciting new Italian restaurant from chef Rob Rossi. Giulietta was recently awarded the #5 spot for Best New Restaurant on enRoute Magazines' annual national ranking. With over a decade of experience in hospitality, she has held sommelier positions at some of Canada’s top restaurants, including Alo and Canoe. Certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers, she is currently studying to write the CMS Advanced exam in 2020.

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Krysta Oben

General Manager & Wine Director, Paris Paris & Co-Founder, Grape Witches

Krysta Oben

General Manager & Wine Director, Paris Paris & Co-Founder, Grape Witches

How to Curate an Interesting & Diverse Wine List
Monday, February 25,2:45PM- 3:15PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

Krysta is the GM and wine director of Paris Paris, and buys wine for the little group of restaurants that includes Paris Paris, Superpoint and a top secret project for spring. Before that, she was the Sommelier at Byblos, and some other nice places before that. She has been working in wine for a long time! Krysta and Nicole - also on this panel - co-founded Grape Witches, which keeps them busy throwing interesting (and wild!) wine parties across Canada

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Emily Blake

Co-Owner, Mahjong Bar

Emily Blake

Co-Owner, Mahjong Bar

Lights! Placement! Music! - How to Build Atmosphere in Bars
Sunday, February 24, 11:00AM-11:30AM
Bar & Beverage Stage

After building her career in Toronto's media community, first as a writer and stylist, and then as an entertainment publicist, Emily hadn't seen her path leading her into hospitality until she and her partners dreamt up Mahjong Bar. Finally using her OCADU art degree, she found the process of working as a team to develop Mahjong Bar's aesthetic, atmosphere and tone to be extremely rewarding.

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John Leblanc

Co-Owner, Mahjong Bar

John Leblanc

Co-Owner, Mahjong Bar

Happy Staff, Happy Guests - Wellness, Health & A Sustainable Bar Team
Tuesday, February 26, 1:15PM-2:00PM

Bar & Beverage Stage.

A veteran of the industry, Joshua worked his way from bar back to owner across the city of Toronto. First partnering on College St.'s games bar Track & Field as GM & co-owner, Josh left that role to form a new partnership with the team behind Mahjong Bar. Josh and his partners felt they could do more to give their staff the opportunity to live more healthy, balanced lifestyles, and began a wellness credit program to benefit their team.
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Peter Boyd

Wine Director, Scaramouche Restaurant

Peter Boyd

Wine Director, Scaramouche Restaurant

New blood vs Old blood Sommelier: Image, Credentials & Experience 
Monday, February 25, 12:00PM-12:45PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Peter Boyd started at Toronto's Scaramouche Restaurant in 1982, taking over the position of Wine Director in 1993. Among other accomplishments, he captured the Grand Award at The Wine Tasting Challenge in 2011 and was awarded Drinks Ontario's Hospitality Person of the Year Award in 2017, but his work as an instructor for the International Sommeliers Guild helping to train and graduate many of Ontario's top sommeliers remains one of his proudest achievements.

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Alana Nogueda

Owner, The Shameful Tiki Room

Alana Nogueda

Owner, The Shameful Tiki Room

Building an Intersectional Bar Space - Opening your space for guests from all walks of life
Tuesday, February 26, 2:00PM-2:45 PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Alana Nogueda was raised in Las Vegas, and is presently the owner/operator of The Shameful Tiki Room in Toronto. She prides herself in being a queer woman in the industry, but is adamant about not letting those characteristics be her only defining qualities

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François Morissette

Vigneron, Pearl Morissette

François Morissette

Vigneron, Pearl Morissette

Progress vs Perfection - On Bar Mentorship
Tuesday, February 26, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Bar & Beverage Stage

François has been part of the progressive wine movement informed by tradition for the last 25 years or so. Classic training in Burgundy France for 8 vintages and in Jordan ON for the last 12 vintages. Inspired to make Canada part of the international artisanal wine scene.

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Lexi Wolkowski

Sommelier & General Manager, Brothers Food and Wine

Lexi Wolkowski

Sommelier & General Manager, Brothers Food and Wine

New blood vs Old blood Sommelier: Image, Credentials & Experience
Monday, February 25, 12:00PM-12:45PM, 
Bar & Beverage Stage
 
How to Curate an Interesting & Diverse Wine List
Monday, February 25, 2:30PM-3:15PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops
 
On Wine -The Local, The Natural & The Weird
Tuesday, February 26, 1:45PM-2:15PM, 
Bar & Beverage Workshops

 

Lexi has been working in restaurants since the age of 15, starting as a dishwasher and then moving to front of house. Over the years, Lexi has been fortunate enough to be a part of several amazing restaurant teams, including Nota Bene, The Harbord Room and most recently, as General Manager and Sommelier of Bar Raval. Currently. Lexi runs the wine program at Brothers Food and Wine in Yorkville. She was certified as a sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2013.
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Jessica Mili

Bartender, Civil Liberties

Jessica Mili

Bartender, Civil Liberties

Cocktail Presentation - Ice Cutting Demo,
Sunday, February 24, 1:30PM-2:15PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

Simple Cocktail Set-Up for Any Bar
Sunday, February 24, 11:00AM - 11:45AM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

Jess Mili has a real passion for bartending and has quickly making a name for herself in the Canadian hospitality industry. Stemming from a degree in Sociology, she has shifted her love for people into a successful bartending career. She is best known as winner of the 2017 Bols Around the World competition and the 2018 Canadian Speed Rack Competition. You can find Jess pouring cocktails at Toronto’s reputable Civil Liberties. She is also the Ontario portfolio manager for Sovereign Canada.

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Svetlana Atcheva

Ambassador, Pearl Morissette Estate Winery

Svetlana Atcheva

Ambassador, Pearl Morissette Estate Winery

On Wine -The Local, The Natural & The Weird Tuesday, February 26, 1:45PM-2:15PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

Svetlana Atcheva is an ambassador and partner at Pearl Morissette Estate Winery. She worked as a wine buyer and sommelier in Toronto for 10 years before deciding to get closer to the production side of wine. Since has been at Pearl Morissette since 2013 and her time is divided equally between work in the cellar and representing the winery.

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John Bunner

Operations Director, Alo Food Group

John Bunner

Operations Director, Alo Food Group

 

Bar Menu Design - Cost, Balance and Consumer Needs

Monday, February 25, 1:30PM-2:15 PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops
John opened and managed Alo restaurant's barroom in 2015 following stints at Yours Truly and the Toronto Temperance Society. He directed the bar programmes at Aloette and Alobar Yorkville restaurants. At present, he oversees the operations of the restaurants in the Alo Food Group
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Christina Veira

Bar & Beverage Stage Curator

Christina Veira

Bar & Beverage Stage Curator

Beyond The Bar - How to incorporate off site events into your repertoire?
Monday, February 25, 11:00AM-11:30AM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

Building an Intersectional Bar Space: Opening your space for guests from all walks of life
Monday, February 25, 2:00PM-2:45PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Christina Veira’s was honoured to be chosen as one of Imbibe Magazine’s Imbibe 75, chosen as "one of the people, places and directions that will shape the way you drink in 2019". Alongside Evelyn Chick in curating the Bar & Beverage Pavillion and Speed Rack Canada (Seasons 3 & 4), She has occupied every front-of-house position (and a couple in the kitchen) while pursuing certifications in wine and beer and even winning a cocktail competition here or there. When not in her present role managing a multi-venue event space, her focus is on event execution, industry, education and using the hospitality industry as a catalyst for community engagement and fundraising. Over the course of the last few years, she has been able to harness her skills while raising over $50k for Nellie’s Women’s Shelter and various other charities.

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Jamie Johnson

The Balvenie Brand Ambassador, William Grant & Sons/PMA

Jamie Johnson

The Balvenie Brand Ambassador, William Grant & Sons/PMA

Three Experts Walk Into a Bar
Sunday, February 24, 4:15PM-5:00PM

Bar & Beverage Workshops

The Balvenie’s Canadian Brand Ambassador, Jamie Johnson, is a highly respected whisky champion and conversationalist known for hosting tasting events and masterclasses across Canada as well as co-hosting the popular weekly whisky podcast, The Whisky Topic.
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Martha Lowry

Head Cider Maker, Brickworks Ciderhouse

Martha Lowry

Head Cider Maker, Brickworks Ciderhouse

Three Experts Walk Into a Bar
Sunday, February 24, 4:15PM-5:00PM

Bar & Beverage Workshops
Martha is the passionate lead of Brickworks Ciderhouse. She has her finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the cider world, and is constantly innovating and pushing the limits on what cider is today.
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Matt Jones

World Whisk(e)y Ambassador, Beam Suntory

Matt Jones

World Whisk(e)y Ambassador, Beam Suntory

The Future of Whisk(e)y- Trends around the world & the ever evolving paletes of consumers
Sunday, February 24, 3:45PM-4:30PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Beyond the Rail
Monday, February 25, 3:15PM-5:00PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

2019 officially marks 20 years for Matt as bartender, mixologist, and spirits educator, having travelled and worked in over 8 countries in 2 decades. Known to many as the “Whisk(e)y Chef,” Matt travels coast to coast across Canada preaching the gospel of whisk(e)y and spreading his love of the Beam Suntory family of whiskies. Featured on the cover of the global publication Whisky Magazine in 2016, Matt also won Global American Whiskey Ambassador of the year in 2017.

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Ricky Casiple

Co-Chef & Co-Owner, Ricky + Olivia

Ricky Casiple

Co-Chef & Co-Owner, Ricky + Olivia

Feast On® 'Best of FOODstock' Tastings
Sunday, February 24, 12:45PM-1:30PM,
Tuesday, February 26, 2:00PM-2:45PM
Local Stage

Ricky was always a bit of a jokester in school and gravitated towards athletics and sports as opposed to his academics. He admits “I didn’t really have the grades to go to university, but luckily colleges don’t care as much! So going to Culinary School at George Brown was the easy, and well, only option haha.” He also states, “I thought the parallels of playing sports like lacrosse and being a chef were so similar. Being a good captain and teammate translates to being a good leader and Chef, It’s like being part of a team again. But most importantly, I was always told girls love a guy that can cook, so that pretty much made my decision for me…”

After bouncing around restaurants and catering, he found himself at Hawthorne Food and Drink where he worked with notable Chefs such as Eric Wood, Bihn An Nyugen, Jared Braithwaite, Mark Cutrara and Martha Wright. He eventually climbed the ranks and took over as Executive Chef at the young age of 23. Besides his duties as Chef he was also a teacher and instructor as Hawthorne doubled as a training facility for youth and those on social support. His past trainees can be found across the city in restaurants and hotels today.

After 3 years Ricky decided to leave Hawthorne to his then Sous Chef Olivia Simpson and took a partnership role at AFT Kitchen and Bar. After sometime, he asked Olivia to join him as Co-Chef. Eventually they felt like they needed to create their own path, which is why they decided to create their own start-up: Ricky+Olivia.

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Chris Wilson

Music Programmer, The Drake Hotel Properties

Chris Wilson

Music Programmer, The Drake Hotel Properties

Lights! Placement! Music! - How to Build Atmosphere in Bars
Sunday, February 24, 11:00AM-11:30AM

Bar & Beverage Stage

Chris finds enjoyment in programming music in spaces that range from live performances, DJ focused nights or the playlists you listen to while you dine or shop. Currently the Music Programmer for The Drake Hotel Properties but previously he worked at Ace Hotel in London Shoreditch and DJ'd for the past 16 years.

Date & Time: Sunday, February 24, 11:45AM-12:30PM
Location: Let's talk about wood!, Bar & Beverage Workshops
Name: Cameron Millar
Job Title: Portfolio Ambassador for Eastern Canada, Edrington
Open to PR: Yes
Bio: Cameron Millar has been working as a whisky educator and ambassador for nearly 5 years and continues to create opportunities to bring the spirits world to a new audience. Steeping his presentation style in education and entertainment, Cameron seeks to develop advocates and experts alike.

The Balvenie’s Canadian Brand Ambassador, Jamie Johnson, is a highly respected whisky champion and conversationalist known for hosting tasting events and masterclasses across Canada as well as co-hosting the popular weekly whisky podcast, The Whisky Topic.Chris finds enjoyment in programming music in spaces that range from live performances, DJ focused nights or the playlists you listen to while you dine or shop. Currently the Music Programmer for The Drake Hotel Properties but previously he worked at Ace Hotel in London Shoreditch and DJ'd for the past 16 years.

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Cameron Millar

Portfolio Ambassador for Eastern Canada, Edrington

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Robin Goodfellow

Owner, Little Bones Beverage

Robin Goodfellow

Owner, Little Bones Beverage

Progress vs Perfection - On Bar Mentorship
Tuesday, February 26, 11:00AM-11:45AM,
Bar & Beverage Stage

Lights! Placement! Music!: How to build atmosphere in your bar
Sunday, February 24, 11:00AM-11:30AM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Robin owns Bar Raval, Prettyugly, & Harry’s Charbroiled in Toronto and has a new project at King and Portland to open this year. His company Little Bones Beverage does consulting, events, design, training and a soon air podcast.

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Juliana Wolkowski

Bar Manager, Bar Raval

Juliana Wolkowski

Bar Manager, Bar Raval

The Low ABV Movement - How to use Vermouths & Sherries
Sunday, February 24, 2:30PM-3:15PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

Seasonality of Drinks
Sunday, February 24, 3:30PM-4:00PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

From late night snack bars to dive bars, Juliana has the well rounded resume of a seasoned professional, but has specialized in making some of the best cocktails in Toronto for 4 Years as the Bar Manager at Bar Raval, the all-day-and-night temple to Spanish food and drink.

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Dan Frenette

Territory Manager, Downtown Toronto & Culinary Specialist, W.D. Colledge

Dan Frenette

Territory Manager, Downtown Toronto & Culinary Specialist, W.D. Colledge

How to Design a Restaurant
Monday, February 25, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Learning Lounge

Dan’s experience includes Tour Sous Chef for the Rolling Stones Bigger Bang World Tour, Former Executive chef/Partner for The Food Dudes Inc and Territory Manager of Downtown Toronto/Culinary Specialist for WD Colledge.
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Ian Jameson

Senior Project Manager, Cini-Little International, Inc.

Ian Jameson

Senior Project Manager, Cini-Little International, Inc.

How to Design a Restaurant
Monday, February 25, 11:00AM-11:45AM

Learning Lounge
Ian brings over 30 years of industry knowledge and experience in designing state of the-art facilities. He possesses a comprehensive understanding of not only of Foodservice Design and Waste Management, but how that design plays out and impacts the client’s operation. Ian has worked for over 20 years as a Senior Project Manager with Cini-Little International, Inc. in the Toronto office with two fields of practice-Foodservice and Waste Management. He is a professional member of FCSI and OACETT.
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Sandra Saville

Registered Dietician, Sandra Saville Nutrition Consulting

Sandra Saville

Registered Dietician, Sandra Saville Nutrition Consulting

I Can’t Eat That - How to accommodate food intolerances into your menu
Monday, February 25, 2:30PM-3:30PM
Learning Lounge

Food is Medicine
Sunday, February 24, 12:00PM-12:45PM
Speaker Stage

Sandra Saville is a Registered Dietitian with over 25 years of experience in food, nutrition and health. Sandra recognizes strategic opportunities to meet health and nutrition needs of customers, and highlights effective strategies to bring health to life, and to your restaurant!

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Norma Condo

Chef & Owner, Miqmak Catering Indigenous Kitchen

Norma Condo

Chef & Owner, Miqmak Catering Indigenous Kitchen

Rooted in Culinary – Indigenous Culinary Demo
Sunday, February 24, 3:00PM-3:45PM
Local Stage

Indigenous Culinary Tourism – A Main Course in Culture
Monday, February 25, 1:00PM-1:45PM
Local Stage

From a small community In Gaspesie being an Indigenous Chef is about respecting the culture and their traditional Indigenous foods. For most of my cooking I’ve been using natural roots ingredients and keep passing the tradition down.

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Ruvarashe Chinyemba

Sustainability Brand Development Manager, Cacao Barry

Ruvarashe Chinyemba

Sustainability Brand Development Manager, Cacao Barry

Creating Shared Value: From Farmer to Chef
Tuesday, February 24, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Local Stage

Ruvarashe Chinyemba is a Sustainability Brand Development Manager at Cacao Barry. Her job is to ensure that the brand's definition of good business is not only limited to economic profitability but expands to addressing the impact chocolate and cocoa has on the environment and further developing the expertise of the cocoa farmers in t's supply chain. She is particularly passionate about women farmers' empowerment and the amazing role it plays in quickly lifting up cocoa economies.
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Travis Peterson

Founder & Private Chef, The Nomad Cook

Travis Peterson

Founder & Private Chef, The Nomad Cook

Future of Cannabis in Canada: When will POT be in our POTS?
Tuesday, February 26 - 12:00PM - 12:45PM
Speaker Stage

After appearing on Masterchef Canada in 2015, Travis Petersen started The Nomad Cook and began traveling Canada hosting pop up dinners in a variety of major cities. In 2018 he began the Infused Dining Series, Canada's first Cannabis Infused Dining Experience. Having severed over 1200 Canadians in a 6 month period, Chef Travis plans to launch a line of cooking ingredients to empower homecooks with the tools and safety they need to cook with Cannabis in their own homes.
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Jessica Rodrigues

Director of Communications, McEwan Group

Jessica Rodrigues

Director of Communications, McEwan Group

Find Your Community Through Social Media Marketing
Sunday, February 24, 3:00PM - 3:45PM
Speaker Stage

Jessica Rodrigues is the Director of Communications at The McEwan Group

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Michael Edwards

Executive Director, Dig Insights

Michael Edwards

Executive Director, Dig Insights

How to up Your Bottom Line with Speciality Coffee
Sunday, February 24 - 4:00PM - 4:45PM
Speaker Stage

Michael is one of the founders of Dig Insights, a market research consultancy. Prior to Dig Insights, Michael worked at Kraft Foods. Michael has worked on the Canadian and American coffee tracking studies for over 15 years

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Oumar Barou Togola

Founder & Chairman of the Board, Farafena Health Inc.

Oumar Barou Togola

Founder & Chairman of the Board, Farafena Health Inc.

Invest in tech: practices to grow your business and boost sustainability
Tuesday, February 26 - 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Speaker Stage

Oumar Barou Togola is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Farafena Health Inc. He is the bedrock and vision behind Farafena – a social enterprise partnering directly with women farmers in Africa bringing African food products to North America. Oumar guides a diverse team of professionals in Canada and Mali focused on transparent social & economic development solutions at a village level. Oumar's team collaborates with businesses, village communities and social & economic development organizations that preferentially support the participation of women in community and economic development. Farafena is in the process of implementing software solutions that improve the transparency and traceability in its supply chain.
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Johann Moonesinghe

CEO & Founder of inKind

Johann Moonesinghe

CEO & Founder of inKind

Invest in tech: practices to grow your business and boost sustainability
Tuesday, February 26 - 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Speaker Stage

Johann is the CEO and co-founder of inKind, a restaurant financing company which provides capital in exchange for food and beverage credit. Over the past 2 years, inKind has successfully funded over 150 restaurants across the US and Australia. Johann also owns a 10,000 sq ft restaurant focusing on incubating new food and beverages concepts. Johann is a serial entrepreneur and an active angel investor with seed level investments in companies including Uber and All Birds. Combining his finance experience, restaurant expertise, and passion for food, he is leading InKind to disrupting the food and beverages value-chain and ecosystem, from funding and operations to new customer experience.

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Dr. Rumina Dhalla

Associate Professor, University of Guelph

Dr. Rumina Dhalla

Associate Professor, University of Guelph

Invest in tech: practices to grow your business and boost sustainability
Tuesday, February 26 - 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Speaker Stage

Dr. Rumina Dhalla, MBA, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management in the College of Business and Economics (CBE) at the University of Guelph. Her current research explores sustainability and sustainability certification in the Australian wine industry, emerging models of multi-stakeholder collaborations for sustainability, and the implications of social enterprise for food insecurity. She is an accomplished teacher in both the undergraduate and graduate programs, and was recently awarded the MBA Distinguished Professor Award.

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Jean-Francois Archambault

Founder & CEO, La Tablée des Chefs

Jean-Francois Archambault

Founder & CEO, La Tablée des Chefs

Ones to Watch Panel
Monday, February 24, 3:00PM-3:45PM
Speaker Stage

Food Recovery in the Restaurant Industry: A Mix of Purpose, Common Sense & Empathy
Monday, February 25, 4:00PM-4:45PM
Culinary Stage

Jean-François is the Founder and CEO of La Tablée des Chefs. Soon after his studies in Hotel Management, Jean-François became a manager in the hospitality industry for Fairmont and Marriott where he worked for 10 years. With his work at La Tablée des Chefs, Jean-François hopes to socially mobilize chefs and cooks because he believes in their incredible ability to intervene on the issue of hunger and to address its many challenges. La Tablée des Chefs is recovering over 200 tons of edible excess food from the chefs and feeding over 500 000 canadians in need annually. The social business also runs culinary workshops with chefs in over 100 underprivileged High Schools and Foster care units reaching over 3000 teenagers in need. His work was recognized by the Prime Minister’s social innovation award in 2015 and most recently received the Meritorious Service Cross from the Governor General of Canada, the organization is also present in France & Mexico.

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Peter Henderson

President, Ideovation Inc.

Peter Henderson

President, Ideovation Inc.

Capitalizing on Plant-Based Menus: This is just the Veganing
Tuesday, February 26 - 11:00AM - 11:45AM
Speaker Stage

Peter is President of Ideovation, which specializes in business model design, breakthrough commercialization, innovation strategy and forums. Peter clients are throughout the food ecosystem, from processors, agri-businesses, distributors and clean-tech companies to innovation centres, public-private-partnerships, associations and government. Prior to starting Ideovation in 2011, Peter held various brand and business development roles with Lynch Foods, McCain, Nestle, Borden Catelli and Buy BC.

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Cristina Carpio

Editor in Chief, MarQuee Magazine & Host, Going Global TV.

Cristina Carpio

Editor in Chief, MarQuee Magazine & Host, Going Global TV.

Local Stage Host

Elevated Entertainment Experiences
Monday, February 25, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Speaker Stage

Cristina is currently the Editor in Chief of a luxury lifestyle publication, MarQuee Magazine where she features the best in food, drinks and restaurants. She is also the head of Marketing and PR for Quantum Group of Luxury brands and the largest private Mercedes-Benz dealership in Ontario located in Burlington. A former TV Reporter and a broadcast/journalism and hospitality graduate, Cristina worked in the food and beverage industry for many years particularly in restaurants and has contributed food, beverage and lifestyle features and TV segments to top industry publications, blogs and television networks not only in Canada but globally. Cristina is also the Canadian Ambassador for EatWith, a global dining immersion platform and the top 3 food and travel app in the world by Apple. Cristina is also a Host of a luxury travel TV show launched on CNBC World called Going Global TV. The show was recently picked up by Amazon Prime Video and launched in the US and the UK. Cristina has hosted numerous events in Toronto from fashion shows, food and hospitality tradeshows, galas and more. Over the years, she's also mentored many talents in the restaurant business and enjoys checking out the hottest restaurants

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Nick Pateris

Vice President, Strategy, Lift & Co

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Geneviève Larose

Founder & CEO, La Tablée des Chefs

Geneviève Larose

Account Manager, Google

Driving Foot Traffic Using Data
Monday, February 25, 1:00PM-1:45PM
Learning Lounge

Gen is a digital marketing specialist with extensive experience creating successful performance and brand online marketing programs for both consumer and business markets. A proud Googler of just over 1 year, with 7+ years in the digital strategy and web analytics industry.

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Brandon Ashmore

Sr. Account Manager, Google

Brandon Ashmore

Sr. Account Manager, Google

Driving Foot Traffic Using Data
Monday, February 25, 1:00PM-1:45PM
Learning Lounge

Brandon has close to 9 years of experience working with a full spectrum of food, beverage and QSR companies from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies in various capacities including: public relations, business development and marketing roles. He has been on the QSR Team at Google Canada since January 2018, helping his clients drive foot traffic and increase their SSSG.

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Katherine Rebelo

Sr. Restaurant Operations Specialist, Uber Eats Canada

Katherine Rebelo

Sr. Restaurant Operations Specialist, Uber Eats Canada

Growing your business through Virtual Restaurants
Sunday, February 24, 12:30PM-1:15PM
Learning Lounge

A self-proclaimed food connoisseur, Katherine’s hunger for the evolving restaurant industry is insatiable. Katherine grew up in the hospitality business and has since committed her career to the customer's experience. She joined the Uber Eats team nine months after it launched in Toronto (the first-ever Uber Eats city in the world!), to support the ever-growing number of restaurants. Katherine has continued to evolve as an integral member of the Eats Client Success and Operations team. Her team's mission is to align the world of delivery excellence with the historic roots of the restaurant industry to ensure that innovation prevails. Katherine supports the growth of the Eats business by working with some of the most strategic small and medium restaurant partners in Canada.

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Lisa Campbell

CEO, Lifford Cannabis Solutions

Lisa Campbell

CEO, Lifford Cannabis Solutions

Tuesday, February 26 - 12:00PM - 12:45PM
Future of Cannabis in Canada: When will POT be in our POTS?
Speaker Stage

Bio: CEO of Lifford Cannabis Solutions, Lisa Campbell has been one of the main voices pushing for cannabis legalization in Canada. In addition to her role at Lifford Lisa is the Chair of the Ontario Cannabis Consumer & Retail Alliance, and cochair of the Cannabis Beverage Industry Association. In addition to her advocacy work, she also writes about cannabis for High Times Magazine and Now Toronto.

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Trevor Lui

Principal, The Highbell Group

Trevor Lui

Principal, The Highbell Group

Why buying Canadian is more important than ever
Tuesday, February 26, 1:00PM-1:45PM
Speaker Stage

Trevor has made a life and career surrounded by the sights and sounds of food and drink. He has spent more than 20 years producing thousands of event experiences as an executive for major entertainment venues, top-tier hotels & casinos for the likes of heads of states and Hollywood starlets. A diverse builder of innovative implementation, brand marketing, operations and ground-zero build outs, he likens a good, honest meal on a street corner than being tied down to a corporate boardroom. He’s a lover of ‘the story’ and inspired with each bite and sip around him and believes we are all connected through our dining experiences.

Trevor recently shed his corporate job to fulfil his entrepreneurial dream of creating unique experiences. He has helped co-created and develop some of Toronto’s foremost food brands, Kanpai Snack Bar, Yatai Japanese Street Food, Shook Noodle, La Brea Food and the newest addition, Fat Rabbit Foods. His agency Highbell Group also curates uniquely immersive culinary events that pushes the boundaries of innovation coupled with a growing list of clients that seek their services for branded video content in the style of his well-documented Soulful Food Stories series.

In addition, Trevor is a frequent consultant, speaker & editorial contributor to industry publications and business forums as well as holding executive posts on boards in the global tourism and academia space. He has also provided promotional ambassadorship to numerous notable consumer brands. Look out for Trevor’s next delectable project to add to his ongoing culinary journey.

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Don Burns

Partner Lead, Food, Beverages & Restaurants, Google

Don Burns

Partner Lead, Food, Beverages & Restaurants, Google

Digital as a growth driver for restaurants
Monday, February 25, 3:15PM-4:00PM
Presentation Theatre

Don works as a Partner Lead on Google's Food and Beverage Team, where he has worked for 3.5 years. Prior to joining Google, Don received his MBA from INSEAD in France, and worked in Brand Management at Moosehead Breweries and Unilever Canada.

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Faith Baxter

Associate Product Developer, Maple Leaf Food

Faith Baxter

Associate Product Developer, Maple Leaf Food

Sustainable Movie Series: Farm to Chef for Success
Sunday, February 24, 12:00PM-3:00PM
Presentation Theatre

Faith Baxter is an Associate Product Developer at Maple Leaf Foods and a graduate of the Food Science Co-op program at the University of Guelph. She spent her co-op placements working in Product Development and Quality Assurance at Dainty Foods and as a Food Technologist at Maple Leaf Foods.
Passionate about mentorship and the Food Industry, she's spoken about the Food Science program and her experiences at various industry events and collaborated with FoodGrads and Taste Your Future to share her perspective through blog posts and panel discussions.

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Dylan Sher

Producer, Beyond the Plate

Dylan Sher

Producer, Beyond the Plate

Sustainable Movie Series: Farm to Chef for Success
Sunday, February 24, 12:00PM-3:00PM
Presentation Theatre

Dylan Sher the creative mind behind Before The Plate started the project as a result of experiencing the misinformation about the farming industry first hand. Growing up just outside of Toronto, Dylan’s initial impression of farming came from urban information sources that had a very negative view of modern agricultural practices. After enrolling at the University of Guelph for agricultural business, Dylan has realized the weight and scale of false information that consumers are exposed to which sheds farmers in a bad light. Dylan plans to use his urban upbringing as an advantage to the project as he has a better understanding of areas that are of concern in the cities and what social implications those carry.

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Richard Cazeau

Writer & Producer

Richard Cazeau

Writer & Producer

Speaker Stage Host

With a personality that's fiercely passionate about Lifestyles and Products for Men (and sometimes Women and Children), Richard Cazeau is an accomplished Content Writer, Producer, and Host of Award-winning Alternative and Digital Programming-- a complete Multipotentialite. He’s compiled extensive production credits on Media Networks owned by NBC, AMC, FOX, DISCOVERY, and YAHOO. And as of late, he’s produced Sponsored Content for Retail Partners like KRAFT FOODS, SAMSUNG, CANON, ENERGIZER, PRESIDENT’S CHOICE and PORSCHE— just to name a few. Cazeau loves to discover and share brands’ reinventions and their newest engagements. As a Cultural Curator, his constant goal is to stay one step ahead of the proverbial curve. Researching and gathering ”what’s hot”, “what’s #trending” and “what’s happening right now” (or even about to), keeps his attention and fuels his ability to share the latest News, Trends and Content, incessantly.

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Chris Patheiger

Head of Business Development, Partner, Uncle Smoke Cookhouse

Chris Patheiger

Founder, Uncle Smoke Cookhouse & Chrispy’s Fried Chicken
Bell Fibe TV1 Host,  X-Plated & Hogtown BBQ

Growing your business through Virtual Restaurants
Sunday, February 24, 12:30PM-1:15PM
Learning Lounge

Chris Patheiger is an entrepreneur and host of ‘X-Plated’ and ‘Hogtown BBQ’ on Bell Fibe TV1 and co-founder of Uncle Smoke Cookhouse. Built on the premise of “dining room extension,” Uncle Smoke has been an early adopter of ordering platforms like UberEats. Their 9 seat Cookhouse on Dundas West in Toronto uses a combination of technology and traditional restaurant models to drive more than a ton of their signature smoked meats per month. Before turning his attention to food, Chris was a founding partner of the digital advertising firm Redux Media which was acquired by TC Transcontinental in 2012.

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Stephen Smith

Managing Director, McLean Hallmark Gateway

Stephen Smith

Managing Director, McLean Hallmark Gateway

RC Protects - Your Risk Journey
Monday, February 25, 12:00PM-12:45PM
Learning Lounge

Steve specialises in complicated risk profiles and intricate commercial accounts. Having worked on three sides of the table – client, insurer and broker – both domestically and abroad.

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Keith Dexter

President, McLean Hallmark Gateway

Keith Dexter

President, McLean Hallmark Gateway

RC Protects - Your Risk Journey
Monday, February 25, 12:00PM-12:45PM
Learning Lounge

Keith is President of MHG. Keith’s business interests include operating investments in Real Estate, M&A Services, and Mortgage Industries, as well as a Private Capital company.

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Lauren Mote

Diageo Reserve & World Class Global Cocktailian, Co-proprietor, Bittered Sling Bitters

Lauren Mote

Diageo Reserve & World Class Global Cocktailian, Co-proprietor, Bittered Sling Bitters

Success Beyond The Bar
Sunday, February 24, 1:45PM-2:30PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Seasonality of Drinks
Sunday, February 24, 3:30PM-4:00PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops stage

She’s a mixologist; a sommelier; an architect of potions, tonics and elixirs; an accomplished emcee, writer, spirit and cocktail judge; an international spirits diplomat and accredited instructor; award-winning bartender Lauren Mote wears many hats, but she’s perhaps best known as the DIAGEO Reserve & World Class Global Cocktailian, and the co-founder of Bittered Sling Bitters — an internationally successful portfolio of award-winning cocktail bitters and culinary extracts.
Named the 2015 ‘Bartender of the Year’ by both the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards and DIAGEO World Class Canada, Lauren is a well-respected speaker, educator, mentor and industry advocate, whose reach extends well beyond the bar. She has served as an Associate Director for the Canadian Professional Bartenders Association, has been an event partner and keynote speaker with Tales of the Cocktail® since 2011, and in 2016 Lauren was the first Canadian woman inducted into the “Dames Hall of Fame”, and nominated for “Best Bar Mentor” at the 10th annual Spirited Awards Ceremony. Lauren is a Development Consultant for the World Class Program, including the bartender competition, retail and commercial platforms, and the World Class Studios Global Education Program.
Lauren is an in-demand hospitality consultant, and in the past 6 years has launched and redesigned bar programs at The Nash Restaurant & Off Cut Bar in Calgary, Vancouver’s Café Medina and Burdock & Co., and most recently was the Beverage Consultant for the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver and Whistler locations, and their restaurants YEW seafood + bar and Sidecut. Lauren’s unique brand of marketing, social media, ambassador programming and PR strategy for spirit and hospitality brands still resonates throughout the consulting arm of Bittered Sling.

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Kelsey Ramage

Founder, The Trash Collective

Kelsey Ramage

Founder, The Trash Collective

HOW Sustainable Drinks can help save on costs and lower waste
Tuesday, February 26, 12:00PM-1:00PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

86 Mocktails - A Guide to No/ Low Alcohol Alternatives, a trend that's here to stay!
Tuesday, February 26, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Bar & Beverage Workshop Stage

Kelsey Ramage comes from 15 years in the hospitality industry in Vancouver, BC. In 2015, she moved to London, UK to spend 2 years working at the internationally acclaimed Dandelyan bar before launching Trash Tiki with her partner Iain Griffiths. The pair have spent the past two years travelling the globe throwing pop-ups and educating bartenders about their Anti-Waste drinks.

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Iain Griffiths

Founder, The Trash Collective

Iain Griffiths

Founder, The Trash Collective

HOW Sustainable Drinks can help save on costs and lower waste
Tuesday, February 26, 12:00PM-1:00PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

86 Mocktails - A Guide to No/ Low Alcohol Alternatives, a trend that's here to stay!
Tuesday, February 26, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Bar & Beverage Workshop Stage

Iain began in Australia working everything from high volume nightclubs to restaurants and eventually, cocktail bars. After 5 years in the UK where he helped found both the Mr Lyan company and Trash Tiki, he now lives in Toronto with partner Kelsey Ramage. His focus continues to be sustainability for bartenders in all aspects and closely working with the world's top flavour scientists & chefs.

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André LaRivière

Sustainability Consultant & Author of The Next Course

André LaRivière

Sustainability Consultant & Author of The Next Course

Tomorrow’s Smart Cities Need Smarter Restaurants
Tuesday, February 26
Eco Stage

André LaRivière has been developing and actively promoting sustainable foodservice operations for more than two decades, including the Vancouver-based Green Table Network, the very first (in 2008) Centre for Sustainability at the RC Show through his latest project, "The Next Course: Reinventing the Modern Urban Restaurant" published in 2018. He also provides sustainability consulting services to restaurants, utilities and governments via Fish+River Consultants.

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Laura Irvine

Senior Accounts Specialist, Ocean Wise

Laura Irvine

Senior Accounts Specialist, Ocean Wise

Delicious Sustainable Seafood Panel
Monday, February 25, 1:15PM-2:00PM
Culinary Stage

Laura spent most of her career coordinating conservation projects for endangered marine and aquatic species in Canada, Central America and Europe. She has led scientific research and worked in local communities to study the many complex human-environment relationships that promote or deter positive conservation action. She has earned a BA Hon in International Development from Dalhousie, an MA in International Relations at U of Kent and an MSc in Marine Environmental Management from U of York.

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Brad Long

Chef & Owner, Café Belong & Belong Catering

Brad Long

Chef & Owner, Café Belong & Belong Catering

Garland Canada Culinary Competition
Sunday, February 11:00AM-2:00PM
Monday, February 25, 11:00AM-1:00PM
Tuesday, February 26, 11:00AM-12:30PM

Save On Energy Forum, Hotel X
Monday, February 25, 1:30PM-4:30PM
Culinary Stage

A renowned Canadian chef with a career spanning over 30 years, Brad Long is a pioneer in advocating ethical, local, organic, and sustainable practices from dirt to dish and a strong, vocal leader in the national food scene. Long is currently chef and owner of Café Belong and Belong Catering, where his understanding of food is reflected in the fresh, delicious fare he procures and serves every day. Belong is a Certified B Corporation. Long’s earlier accomplishments range from rebuilding the food and beverage program at the CN Tower to creating the culinary programs for the Air Canada Centre and one of Toronto’s finest dining rooms, The Platinum Club, as well as building a world street food program for Toronto FC’s BMO Field. As an experienced executive manager and leader, Long is often sought after to share his knowledge and passion for good food. His humour and expertise was tapped as co - host of Food Network’s hit show Restaurant Makeover. Born and raised in the lakeside community of Port Dover, Ontario, eating locally grown food as a simple fact of family life, Long never strays from his deeply rooted belief that “Food is fuel, food is medicine, food is love.”

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Johl Whiteduck Ringuette

Owner, NishDish Marketeria and Catering

Johl Whiteduck Ringuette

Owner, NishDish Marketeria and Catering

Chef Johl Whiteduck Ringuette is Anishnawbe: Ojibwe and Algonquin born north of North Bay, Ont and from the Mink Clan. He has been living in Toronto for 30 years. He is the proprietor of NishDish Marketeria and Catering, a First Nations owned and operated catering business specializing in Anishnawbe cuisine since 2005. In April 2017 NishDish expanded and opened a restaurant that set a new record as the most attended grand opening in the GTA as documented by CBC. As one of Tkaronto’s leading First Nations food sovereigntists, Chef Johl’s journey has led him to identifying, sourcing, re-learning and reclaiming the traditional Anishnawbe diet. His unwavering commitment to this vision has broadened his work beyond the Marketeria. He is a long time public speaker on Indigenous food sovereignty and has taught countless traditional food skills workshops. Chef Johl has written a curriculum for his own Ojibiikaan Indigenous Culinary Arts Program, a ceremonial in-depth land and food-based program. Gifts he received of centuries-old ancestral seeds started an extensive Indigenous seed bank and led to the cultivation of three of his urban Indigenous gardens. He is the founder and President of the board of Ojibiikaan Indigenous Cultural Network, the first and only not-for-profit dedicated to Indigenous Food Sovereignty in the GTA. Chef Johl’s vision is to inspire the return of ancestral lands back to the community for the purposes of growing Indigenous teaching gardens. He has mobilized leaders in his community to envision a focused Indigenous community district in Toronto, in the area encompassing Christie Pits Park, the Davenport escarpment, and down along the route of Garrison Creek (buried beneath Shaw St). In December 2017 Chef Johl co-founded TIBA, the Toronto Indigenous Business Association, renewing the pursuit of an Anishnawbe district for Toronto and building a strong coalition of Indigenous social entrepreneurs and business owners. In 2018 he launched the first Indigenous Harvesters and Artisans Market with multiple partnerships at the Bickford Centre, where he curated a series of murals painted by Indigenous artists. Chef Johl received TABA: Aboriginal Businessman of the Year award in 2013, and is also a member of the Toronto Food Policy Council.

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Mark Shaw

Founder & CEO, Upcoming Media Inc.

Mark Shaw

Founder & CEO, Upcoming Media Inc.

Serving Up your Menu in 3D and Augmented Reality
Tuesday, February 26, 12:00PM-1:00PM
Learning Lounge

Mark is a skilled creative executive with a track record of innovative and “fresh” ideas. He has exceptional drive, unique creative aptitude and has worked with such brands as Air Miles, The Globe and Mail, Telus, Lexus, Subaru, Tide, RBC, and Saint Elizabeth Healthcare, just to name a few. With 10+ years of experience in the interactive and visual communications industry Mark and his team are well prepared to meet any creative needs your business may have.

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James Rhodes

Principal Lawyer, TaxationLawyers

James Rhodes

Principal Lawyer, TaxationLawyers

Tipping & Taxes
Tuesday, February 26, 1:45PM-2:15PM
Presentation Theatre

James Rhodes started his career as a tax lawyer first clerking for the Tax Court of Canada (‘TCC’). He then continued on to work at KPMG, and then Department of Justice where he was counsel on over one hundred appeals. Following this he has worked at Miller Thomson LLP, and now operates TaxationLawyers. TaxationLawyers is an organization of tax experts involving both former DOJ lawyers and former CRA officers.

James handles all tax dispute resolution and tax litigation matters from dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency (‘CRA’) on audits and objections, appearing before the TCC and Federal Court of Appeal, to tax evasion charges. He also does Voluntary Disclosure Program applications, taxpayer relief requests, and rectification applications. James was also a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo CRA Tax Practitioners’ Consultation Group, and presented on legal issues and case law updates.

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Asad Amin

Vice President, Ipsos

Asad Amin

Vice President, Ipsos

Capitalizing on Plant-Based Menus: This is just the Veganing
Tuesday, February 26 - 11:00AM - 11:45AM
Main Stage

Asad is the resident Canadian consumption expert at Ipsos and leads the Foodservice Monitor and the FIVE tracking studies. He has close to 20 years experience in the market research industry.He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Essex and an MSc in Operational Research from the London School of Economics.

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Katie Bolla

Associate Principal, Customer & Digital, KPMG

Katie Bolla

Associate Principal, Customer & Digital, KPMG

Marketing Beyond Your Walls
Sunday, February 24, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Speaker Stage

Katie is one of the leaders of KPMG Canada’s Customer and Digital practice. She has 15 years of experience in customer strategy and customer experience design and enablement. She helps organizations understand their customers, design engaging customer experiences, and build customer centric capabilities to enable the delivery of these experiences. Katie helps clients make informed decisions that balance financial, market and customer analysis, with strategic priorities.

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Michael Sullivan

Partner, Mercer Hospitality

Michael Sullivan

Partner, Mercer Hospitality

How Hotels are Driving Culinary Tourism
Monday, February 25 - 4:00PM - 4:45PM
Speaker Stage

Owner of Victor Restaurant in Le Germain Hotel for the past 10 years. Develop and implement strategies to help restaurants in hotels stand on their own but also work seamlessly to best serve in house guests. Currently working on strategies at the Broadview Hotel. Developing and executing F&B operations and new shipping container park, Stackt Market.

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Sean Bredt

Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer, Dairy Farmers of Ontario

Sean Bredt

Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer, Dairy Farmers of Ontario

Canadian Top Commodity Groups: Why buying Canadian is more important than ever
Tuesday, February 26, 1:00PM-1:45PM
Speaker Stage

Sean Bredt, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer of Dairy Farmers of Ontario, is a forward-thinking, passionate marketing leader committed to co-developing high-value, strategic partnerships between the restaurant and foodservice sector and the Ontario local agri-food supply chain. Sean's bold, optimistic ideas are the culmination of broad executive leadership experience gained in the food and CPG sectors at Mother Parkers, Mars, Campbell's Soup, Rubbermaid, and Kraft Canada.

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Jennifer McLeod Macey

Vice President, Ipsos

Jennifer McLeod Macey

Vice President, Ipsos

Future of Cannabis in Canada: When will POT be in our POTS?
Tuesday, February 26 - 12:00PM - 12:45PM
Speaker Stage

Jennifer is one of Canada’s leading social researchers. She is a Vice President at Ipsos Public Affairs in Toronto where she is regularly called on to speak on a wide range of public affairs topics, including women's rights, mental health, cannabis, and other social issues. Jennifer holds in M.A. in Sociology from Concordia University and a B.A. (Honours) from Queen's.

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Al Henderson

Chief Sales Officer, Eagle Eye Solutions

Al Henderson

Chief Sales Officer, Eagle Eye Solutions

Marketing Beyond Your Walls
Sunday, February 24, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Speaker Stage

Al Henderson is the Chief Sales Officer at Eagle Eye, a leading SaaS technology company that enables businesses to create real-time connections with their customers through coupons, loyalty, apps, subscriptions and gift. With over 20 years’ experience within the food & beverage, retail, grocery and tech industries, Al works with brands to build digital, multichannel customer to build digital, multichannel customer engagement strategies to drive their brand—and their business revenue—forward.

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Tish Harcus

Canadian Club Whisky Ambassador, Beam Suntory

Tish Harcus

Canadian Club Whisky Ambassador, Beam Suntory

Lunch Break! Canadian Whiskey
Sunday, February 24, 12:45PM-1:15PM
Bar & Beverage Workshops

The Future of Whisk(e)y - Trends around the world & the ever-evolving palettes of consumers
Tuesday, February 26, 3:45PM-4:30PM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Tish is our Canadian Club Global Ambassador. In March 2014 she accepted two awards in London, England for 2013 and 2014 Whisky Center Manager of the Year from the prestigious Icons of Whisky Association. In 2017 she launched the Canadian Club 40 Year whisky, which was the oldest Canadian whisky ever launched. On September 26, 2019 she launched the Canadian Club 41 Year at the home of Canadian Club in Walkerville, Ontario, Canada and will be launching it in major cities across Canada.

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Rob Barry

TGNA, Business Development Manager

Rob Barry

TGNA, Business Development Manager

Garland Canada Culinary Competition Host
Sunday, February 24, 11:00AM-2:00PM,
Monday, February 25, 11:00AM-1:00PM,
Tuesday, February 26, 11:00AM-12:30PM
Culinary Stage

Jon Bil Raspberry Point Oyster Shucking Competition Host
Tuesday, February 26, 3:15PM-4:00PM

Emcee and host of numerous events from Coast to Coast including: Atlantic Canada House at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, PEI International Shellfish Festival, Garland Canada International Chef’s Challenge, Motts Clamato Best Caesar Competition and Maritime NHLers 4 Kids Celebrity Golf Event , just to name a few. I’m a proud father of 4 wonderful children and a true sports FANatic. I am also the ingame host for the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL.

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Chris Zielinski

MLSE, Culinary Director

Chris Zielinski

MLSE, Culinary Director

Elevated Sports Bar
Monday, February 25, 11:00AM-11:45AM
Bar & Beverage Stage

Food Recovery in the Restaurant Industry: A Mix of Purpose, Common Sense & Empathy
Monday, February 25, 4:00PM-4:45PM
Culinary Stage

As the Culinary Director of MLSE, Chris Zielinski has been leading the culinary team for the past 9 years. MLSE has some of Canada's biggest brands including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC, Scotiabank Arena, BMO Field, e11even Restaurant and Real Sports Bar and Grill, North America's Greatest Sports Bar. The food program at MLSE is focused on fresh, local and sustainable products with menus that feed millions each year featuring everything from Popcorn to Foie Gras.

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CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES TO OUR FULL SPEAKER LINE-UP