Top 30 Under 30

Since 2019, Kostuch Media Ltd. has been the proud producer of the Top-30-Under-30 program, which was originally established in 2006 by the Ontario Hostelry Institute. The program recognizes young professionals in Ontario who have made significant contributions early in their careers. The Top-30-Under-30 winners (see list below) represent a diverse range of sectors within the hospitality industry, including restaurants, hotels, tourism-related businesses, suppliers, and entrepreneurs.

The program was initially developed by Bruce McAdams, a professor at the University of Guelph, and launched in 2006 with the guidance of J. Charles Grieco, who sought to shine a spotlight on the hospitality industry’s top emerging talent. Sadly, Grieco passed away in 2019, and since then, KML has expanded the program’s reach nationwide, continuing to honour young professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in their fields.

The Awards reflect KML’s mandate to provide educational support and programs for future generations to succeed. They promote self-esteem and pride for young professionals and provide exemplary role models for young professionals forging careers in the foodservice and hospitality industry.

To further improve the nomination and selection process, KML is excited to announce that the program will now be managed through a new, advanced system designed to make the process more efficient and transparent for nominators, nominees, and judges alike.

Here’s how the new system will enhance the experience for all parties involved:

For Nominators: The platform offers clear guidelines and prompts to help nominators provide all necessary information for a complete nomination.

For Top 30 Nominees: The platform allows for a more streamlined and user-friendly portfolio submission process, with the ability to easily upload documents, save drafts, and track submission status. It ensures that nominees receive timely updates about their submission and provides a centralized place to manage their nomination details.

For Judges: The platform offers a seamless review process, with tools to easily access, score, and provide feedback on nominations. It ensures that judges can evaluate all submissions fairly, with a secure and organized method for managing scores and comments.

Overall, the transition to this new system will improve the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of the Top-30-Under-30 program, making it easier for all involved to engage with the process and ensuring that the program remains a prestigious and impactful recognition of young talent in the hospitality industry.

Do you know an outstanding individual who should be considered for a Top-30-Under-30 award?

The nominations for the 2025 Top-30-Under-30 winners have not been announced yet. Please come back soon to enter your candidate.