Pinnacle Award

This yearʼs Pinnacle Award winners were chosen for their ability to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether through launching new concepts, implementing innovative technology solutions or championing employees and the industry, these companies proved itʼs possible to not only survive, but thrive amidst challenges.

It was a big year for John Sinopoli, along with his partner, Erik Joyal of the Ascari Hospitality Group, who are this yearʼs Independent Restaurateurs of the Year. In April 2020, as the impacts of the pandemic were just beginning to be felt across Canada, Sinopoli — partner & executive chef of Ascari Hospitality Group — and Joyal co-founded SaveHospitalityCA, an advocacy group made up of more than 1,000 like-minded stakeholders across the industry, representing more than 40,000 laid off workers. Together, they created a detailed proposal for government support and lobbied all levels of government, while continuing to pivot their own restaurants to new revenue streams.