Long-time BIV reporter Glen Korstrom will be inducted into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame later this year alongside 22 leaders who have made significant contributions to the province’s restaurant and hospitality scene.
Korstrom began reporting for BIV 25 years ago and started covering B.C.’s restaurants and foodservices industry a couple of years into his career with the publication.
He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame—which is run by the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) and is the only such institution in the country—as a friend of the industry, for his decades of covering stories and issues that are relevant to industry leaders and stakeholders.
“Glen was nominated for his insightful and engaging reporting on the abundance of issues facing the restaurant industry,” BCRFA president and CEO Ian Tostenson told BIV.
“Glen has a unique way to translate complex issues into a language that our industry, government and consumers can understand,” Tostenson said, adding that Korstrom isn’t “the friend who is always protecting us,” but rather a journalist focused on “putting out the issues."
Inductees are selected by past Hall of Fame honourees who vote on nominees that come through a widespread call for nominations. According to the BCRFA, more than 5,000 emails are sent out to industry asking for nominees.
To date, approximately 150 individuals have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, which recognized its first group of honourees in 2005. The 23 individuals selected this year will be celebrated on October 20 at an awards event, which will also mark the initiative’s 20th anniversary.
Meet the 2025 inductees
This year’s inductees come from all corners of the B.C. food and restaurant industry, Tostenson says.
“From chefs and restaurateurs to visionary leaders and advocates, each inductee has left a lasting mark on the culinary community in British Columbia,” he noted.
Organized by category, this year’s inductees are:
Active Restauranteur
- Tannis Ling, Joël Watanabe, Alain Chow ; Bao Bei, Kissa Tanto and Meo
- Lori Katakoa; Yuwa
- Jason Chan; Kirin Restaurant
- Paul Grunberg; Bando Volpi Hospitality (Savio, Elio, La Tana, Pepino’s)
Local Champion
- Roger Sleiman; Quails’ Gate Estate Winery
- Shira Blustein; The Acorn
- Eli Brennan; Water St. Cafe, Nanoose Bay Cafe, Qualicum Beach Cafe, Deez Bar and Grill
- Ronnie Lee; Lil’ Ronnie’s Beachside BBQ, Tofino Catering
Leading Employee/Manager: Front of House
- Hector Medina; Bodega on Main
Leading Employee/Manager: Back of House
- Jason Kleinfeld; Carderos
Rising Star
- Matt Cusano; Ciao Chili
Hospitality Service Excellence in Administration and/or Operations
- Christian Kelly; Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited
Supplier
- Jenice Yu; Eat Fish
- Jon Crofts; Codfather’s Seafood Market
Friends of the Industry
- Glen Korstrom; Business in Vancouver
- Lana Popham; Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Lifetime Achievement
- John Harper; Spectra Foods & ABC Restaurants
- Bob Gaglardi, Al Howie; Northland Properties
- Ron Toigo, Peter Toigo Jr.; White Spot Hospitality
