Awards of Excellence
Restaurants Canada is proud to unveil its 2026 Awards of Excellence—launched earlier than ever to shine a brighter spotlight on the people moving our industry into the beyond.
This is your opportunity to recognize the innovators, leaders, and changemakers in your community whose impact deserves to be celebrated, honoured, and amplified. Help us tell their stories and shape this year’s awards cohort by submitting your nominations.
We invite you to champion excellence and nominate now!
Applications will close on Friday, June 26th at 11:59PM ET.
Nominate a deserving industry leader today! Please use the forms below to submit your nomination(s) in one or more of the categories listed. The process is quick and simple, spotlighting deserving individuals or organizations. Nominations will close on June 26, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET.
Leadership Award
Recognizing visionaries who lead with purpose and passion
This award celebrates a foodservice trailblazer who isn’t just managing—they’re inspiring. Whether they’re running the business, championing new ideas, or lifting others up to help them grow and reach their potential, this leader is driving meaningful change across the industry and their community. They lead with heart, integrity, and a clear vision for a better, more connected future in foodservice.
CRITERIA
- Has held a management or ownership position within the foodservice industry
- Demonstrated impact in their company or the industry at large
- Evidence of mentorship and team development
- Commitment to innovation or operational excellence
- Advocacy or leadership on key industry issues (e.g. equity, sustainability, workforce)
- Contributes to fostering a positive, inclusive workplace or community culture
This award is presented by:
Emerging Leader Award
Spotlighting the rising stars
This award goes to someone who’s just getting started—but is already making waves. Whether it’s bold ideas, fresh energy, or a knack for bringing people together, this emerging leader is stepping up and taking initiative to help shape the future of the foodservice industry. They’re not waiting for change—they’re creating it.
CRITERIA
- 19+ years of age
- Be an active Canadian foodservice professional of any recognized industry specialization
- Less than 10 years in the industry, with notable early career accomplishments
- Demonstrates a passion for the industry, initiative, creativity, and leadership potential
- Has made a visible impact in their organization or community
- Brings fresh perspective or approaches to traditional challenges
- Shows strong alignment with future-forward values (e.g. inclusion, sustainability, adaptability)
Culinary Award
For the chef who brings passion, innovation, and flavour to every plate
This award recognizes a culinary professional whose creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft make them stand out in kitchens and communities alike. Whether they’re reinventing menus, championing local ingredients, or mentoring the next generation, this chef is making food that matters—and making a difference along the way.
CRITERIA
- 19+ years of age
- Be an active Canadian foodservice professional working in a recognized culinary or back-of-house role (e.g., chef, line cook, kitchen manager, pastry chef, etc.).
- Demonstrates exceptional culinary skill and creativity in menu development
- Shows leadership in the kitchen through mentorship, team building, and culture-setting
- Innovates with ingredients, technique, or presentation while staying grounded in quality
- Supports local, seasonal, or sustainable food sourcing practices
- Actively contributes to the culinary community or industry beyond their own kitchen (e.g. education, advocacy, events, mentorship)
This award is presented by:
Social Impact Award
Honouring those who nourish more than just appetites
This award is for the changemakers using food as a force for good. Whether through community meals, education, outreach, or inclusion efforts, the recipient of this award is making an impact beyond their walls. They believe food is a connector—and they use it to bring people together and build stronger, more supportive communities.
CRITERIA
- Could be an individual or a group/organisation
- Significant contributions to local or national community through food
- Initiatives may include but not limited to food insecurity, education, employment, inclusion, or mental health
- Demonstrated partnership with community organizations or grassroots efforts
- Authenticity and commitment to community impact
- Inspires others within the industry to get involved or give back
Legacy Award
Celebrating a lifetime of leadership, generosity, and impact
Selected by Restaurants Canada, this award honours an individual whose influence and contributions have left a lasting mark on the Canadian foodservice industry. Through decades of dedication, innovation, and community-building, this leader has paved the way for others and continues to inspire the next generation. This is their standing ovation.
CRITERIA
- 20+ years of impactful contributions to the foodservice industry
- Widely respected as a leader, innovator, and mentor
- Has left a lasting mark on operations, culture, advocacy, or culinary practice
- Demonstrates generosity of spirit and commitment to lifting others up
- Recognized for both business excellence and community leadership
Environmental Stewardship Award
Recognizing the sustainability champions sharing a greener future for food and beyond
This award recognizes a foodservice operator that embeds environmentally-conscious choices into the way they run their business. This award winner is moving the needle in sustainable foodservice, whether though their focus on food waste, packaging, sourcing, or energy.
The Environmental Stewardship Award is a peer-nominated recognition celebrating outstanding leadership in sustainability within our industry. Nominations are carefully reviewed through a process led by our VP of Sustainability, ensuring that recipients exemplify true environmental impact, innovation, and commitment to a greener future.
CRITERIA
- Be an active Canadian foodservice operator
- Demonstrates a clear commitment to environmental stewardship across operations, including:
- Food waste management (worth 20% of overall score)
- Packaging, reuse & materials (worth 20% of overall score)
- Sustainable Food & Sourcing (worth 20% of overall score)
- Climate, Energy & Water (worth 20% of overall score)
- Culture, Communication & Transparency (worth 10% of overall score)
- Innovation (worth 10% of overall score)
This award is presented by:
Invest in Influence
This exclusive, thought-leadership-driven event is designed to spark new ideas, build strategic partnerships, and spotlight the future of foodservice. Your investment not only aligns your brand with excellence in hospitality, but it also directly supports Restaurants Canada’s vital advocacy efforts, driving meaningful change and a stronger future for the entire industry.
For sponsorship opportunities at One Table, reach out to our team at: sponsorship@restaurantscanada.org
