Announced by the publisher of the trade magazine Foodservice and Hospitality, Kostuch Media Limited, earlier this fall, the actual awards ceremony for the 2017 Pinnacle Awards took place yesterday where Ontario's Jason Bangerter, executive chef of the celebrated property, Langdon Hall in Cambridge accepted his award for Chef Of The Year.  Now in their 29th year, these awards put a spotlight on companies and individuals that have demonstrated excellence in their respective roles within Canada's culinary industry. The awards epitomize the best characteristics of the foodservice and hospitality industries, highlighting innovation, creativity and successful business strategies.

“I am truly honoured to receive the Pinnacle Award for Chef of the Year,” says Bangerter. “As an industry leader, I have a responsibility to the Langdon Hall family, the guests, and the community to create, inspire, and educate. I am extremely humbled and excited to be honoured with this prestigious award, and recognized by my peers and mentors from across Canada.”

 

What an honour to receive this years Pinnacle Award for Chef! Thank you @foodservicemag 2017 has truly been a blessing. With many awards and recognitions for my dedication to the industry and the incredible efforts of the talented team @langdonhall @relaischateaux My passion for cooking and inspiring has never been stronger. There is nothing more gratifying then mentoring, creating and cooking with purpose. Telling stories, building relationships and making memories through cuisine and the experience at the table...Is what I love to do. I could not be where I am today without the hard work and support of all those around me. From day one... My entire Family. My wife Stacey and boys Sebastian and Christian. Our parents and grandparents. Every member of #langdonhall team (Bill, Mary, Braden and Mark, thank you for your vision, support and leadership) the farmers and artisans, the fishers, suppliers, mentors and educators. THANK YOU I feel strongly that as leaders in hospitality, we have a responsibility. A responsibility to educate and inspire. To be a voice for good practice, sustainability and culture. This begins with the basics and good honest cooking. Respecting the ingredient and where it comes from. Respecting the environment and the biodiversity of the cuisine. It is both exciting and humbling, that my peers across the country see value in this work and the efforts to create a better future for Canadian Cuisine. Thank you. Congratulations to all the awardees.#chefoftheyear #award #ontario #canada #chef #canada150 #kwawesome #kmlmadeincanada #relaischateaux #langdonhall #Cheflife #kmlpinnacles #rccuisine #kwawesome #toronto #torontolife #KostuchMedia #jasonbangerter #cheflife #foodmagazine #foodpassion

A post shared by Jason Bangerter (@chefbangerter) on Dec 4, 2017 at 12:04pm PST

Bangerter is highly regarded by both his staff and peers across the country and is known for eagerly fostering a work-hard philosophy with his young chefs that work alongside him at Langdon Hall. His advice for those aspiring for the prestigious Chef of the Year title? “Listen, learn and retain. You become as great as you allow yourself to be.”

Other notable winners include Janet Zuccarini, founder and CEO of Gusto 54 Restaurant Group and Top Chef Canada judge (Independent Restaurateur of the Year award), the Drake Hotel Properties (Regional Company of the Year) and Donald Ziraldo, founder of Inniskillin Wines (Rosanna Caira Lifetime Achievement Award).