Top 30 Under 30
The Top-30-under-30 is a high-profile annual recognition program that celebrates and recognizes future leaders in all sectors of the hospitality and foodservice industry. The program was launched by the Ontario Hostelry Institute (OHI) in 2006 and was developed by Professor Bruce McAdams, School of Hospitality, Food & Tourism Management (HFTM) at the University of Guelph, under the guidance of J. Charles Grieco to recognize the hospitality industry’s top young performers.
In April of 2019, Kostuch Media Ltd. (KML) announced it would take over production of the annual 'Top-30-under-30' program from the OHI, following the passing of J. Charles Grieco, former president of the OHI. It also announced it would take the program national for the first time in its 14-year history. 
Assisting KML to determine each year’s winners is an adjudication committee, including previous winners and industry leaders representing various segments of the industry. Helping KML to determine each year’s winners is an adjudication committee comprised of Bruce McAdams, professor, School of Hospitality & Tourism, University of Guelph; Liana Carniello, director, Human Resources, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel; Jane Gibson, national account manager, Arterra Wines; Keith Müller, Dean of the School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts, and Institute of Food Processing Technology, Conestoga College; Amber Douel, senior Rooms Operations manager, Delta Hotels; Brooke Gregoire, Hospitality Services, University of Guelph; Emily Robinson, Food Education manager & academic advisor, University of Guelph; Joel Rivera, senior Human Resources consultant, JNR Consulting; Rebecca Gordon, culinary projects lead at the Arrell Food Institute, University of Guelph; Vish Mayekar, chef, Pepino’s; Kevin Barrington, manager, Talent & Culture – North & Central America, Fairmont Hotels; Jeroen Vanderwolf, Operations director Vancouver and Whistler, Keg Restaurants Ltd., and Rosanna Caira, editor and publisher, Kostuch Media Ltd.
Winners are celebrated in May at the Sheraton Centre Hotel Toronto during a new Leadership Summit developed by KML. The event will bring together the Top 30 recipients with Top 75 leaders to discuss important issues of today.
The School is proud to announce our 2024 Rising Star of the Top-30-under-30 below. Congratulations! #HFTMproud
- Lindsay Weatherall, HAFA '20 - General Manager, The Glen Tavern
2023
- Simon Benevides, TMGT '15 - National Sales Manager, Corporate Events, MRG Group
- Sunny Choi, HAFA Co-op '16 - Manager, Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Corporate Office
- Sarah Douglas, HTM Co-op '18 - Regional Customer Development Manager, Diageo Canada
- Madison Homewood, HTM Co-op '18 - Research and Product Development and Founder, Civil Pours/Drinks on Friday
2022
- Sophia Darling, HAFA ’17 - Event Sales Manager, Fairmont Royal York
- Emre Ergun, HAFA ’16 - Director of Room Operations, Muskoka Bay Resort
- Omar Karim, HAFA '17 - Executive Director, Alka Holdings Ltd. & Consultant, Carpedia
- Monika Kruszka, HTM ’19 - Pastry Chef & Co-Founder, Wallflower Doughnuts
- Shruti Kukreja, HTM Co-op ’22 - Associate, Consulting and Valuation, HVS
2021
- Amber Douel, HTM '18 - Front Office Manager, Delta Hotels by Marriott - Vancouver Downtown Suites
- Bonnie Nethery, HAFA '17 - General Manager, Descendants Beer & Beverage Co.
- Meghan Wright, HAFA '15 - General Manager, Oliver & Bonacini
- Nicole Chan, HAFA '16 - Program Manager, Guest Experience, Sonder
- Yonnie Wong, HAFA '17 - Account Manager, SnapCommerce
2020
- Duncan Chiu, HAFA Co-op '13 - Director, Development, Coast Hotels
- Emily Robinson, HAFA Co-op '20
- Tina Chan, HAFA '12 - Events Manager, Westin Harbour Castle
- Tom Beckett, HAFA '14 - Vice President, HVS
2019
- Alicia Kumagai, HAFA '12 - Sales Manager, 100KM Foods Inc.
- Sahad Kasam, HAFA '19 - President, HFTMSA, University of Guelph
- Haley Mumby, HAFA '12 - Wedding & Special Events Sales Manager, Deerhurst Resort
- Travis Traini, HAFA '12 - Consultant, fsSTRATEGY Inc.
- Shauna Jaskot, HAFA '13 - Business Travel Sales Manager, Hilton Toronto
2018
- Sid Grover, HAFA '10 - Director of Operations, La Prep and Chaska
- Rebecca Lafferty, HAFA '13 - Manager Operations, Wayne Gretzky Estates Winer & Distillery
2017
- Appolline Gaignard, HAFA '14 - Assistant Housekeeping Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
- Kyle Forth, HAFA '10 - Chef de Cuisine, Brux House
- Kristen Renaud, TMGT '10 - Assistant Director of Catering, Fairmont Royal York
2016
- Benn Froggett, HAFA '13 - General Manager, The Glen Tavern, Glen Williams
- Jamie Knoepfli, HAFA Co-op '13 - Manager, Cafe Boulud and Dbar, Toronto
- Aaron Laurie, HAFA '16 Current 4th year student - President, Hotel Association of Canada Guelph Chapter
- Alex Marconi, HAFA Co-op '12 - Social Media Manager - Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
2015
- Rebecca Gordon, HAFA 4th Year
- Michaela Hewitt (nee Boehm), MBA - Hospitality (current)
- Emma Kamp, HAFA '12
- Emily Newton-Przulj, HAFA Co-op '08
- Sarah Russell, HAFA '09
- Michelle Siman, HAFA '11
2014
- Kyle Braden, MBA '12
- Sam Prentice, HAFA '12
- Stephanie Redmond, HAFA Co-op '14
2013
- Cindy Arman, HAFA '12
- Nicole DeAthe, HAFA Co-op '10
- David Humphrey, HAFA '11
- Meghan Misner, HAFA Co-op '07
2012
- Derek Beirnes, HAFA '11
- Daniel Janetos, HAFA '08
- Malcolm Jastrebski, HAFA '07
2011
- Jennifer DiRaddo, HAFA Co-op '06
- Stephanie Guth, HAFA '07
- Todd Hand, HAFA '07
- Sasha Saladziak, HAFA '10
- Robin Wilson, HAFA '07
2010
- Adrian Niman, HAFA '07 The Food Dudes
- Nicholas Pearce, HAFA '04
- Teressa Thorpe, HAFA '10
2009
- Matthew Duffy, HAFA '06
- Adam Fikis, HAFA Co-op '02, MBA Hospitality '08
- Ashley Howat, HAFA '07
- Ana Yuristy, MBA Hospitality '05
2008
- Jeff Hyslop, HAFA Co-op '04
- Jackie Bourgeois (now Pearson), HAFA '02
2007
- Andrew Garrett, HAFA Co-op '01
- Chad McLaughlin, HAFA Co-op '08
2006
- Jody Chrobak, HAFA '06
- Karalyn Ferdinands, HAFA Co-op '03
- Anson Kwok, HAFA Co-op '03
- Iris Lam, HAFA Co-op '08
- Darcy MacDonell, HAFA '02 and MA Leadership '10 Owner/Operator - Farmhouse Tavern (Toronto)
TO NOMINATE
Top 30 Under 30 Nomination Information and Form
MEDIA
- April 10, 2019 - KML to Produce Top 30 Under 30 Program
- April 17, 2015 - Foodservice and Hospitality
- April 22, 2016 - Hotelier - OHI Celebrates Excellence at 2016 Gold Awards Dinner