The George Brown College community extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Canadian hospitality leader Peter Oliver following the announcement of his passing.
With the founding of the renowned Oliver & Bonacini entertainment and hospitality company in 1993 and with every new restaurant and venture that followed, Peter continually raised the bar for food service and in turn elevated Toronto’s profile on the world stage.
“Peter was a highly respected figure at George Brown, particularly at the Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts (CHCA) where students and faculty took inspiration from his remarkable 45-year career in the restaurant business and benefited from his kind and generous spirit,” said George Brown College President Dr. Gervan Fearon. “While achieving incredible professional success, Peter also dedicated himself to charitable works and to making the world a better place. He will be sorely missed.”
Amid Peter's continued career success, he always gave back to the community and to George Brown students. He participated in guest speaking engagements at the college and celebrated with us at our annual CHCA student awards.
For years, the Oliver & Bonacini (O & B) company has provided rich work placement opportunities for George Brown students to showcase and hone their skills in Toronto’s top restaurants while learning and working alongside the best in the business. Many George Brown College graduates have gone on to work in O & B dining rooms, kitchens and offices.
And for more than a decade, the Oliver & Bonacini Inspired Quality Scholarship has provided financial support to students in all George Brown culinary programs who demonstrate many of the qualities we associate with Peter: openness and creativity, pride in craftsmanship, discipline and perseverance, among others.
So great were Peter’s contributions to George Brown and to his industry, he was recognized in 2013 with an honorary Bachelor of Applied Business – Hospitality Operations Management credential.
“We are sorry to hear of the loss of Peter Oliver. He was an incredible entrepreneur, innovator, leader, mentor, and hospitality professional. He gave so much to our industry," said Rudi Fischbacher, Dean of George Brown College’s Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts. "He will be missed by many who had the great pleasure of knowing him. On behalf of the CHCA team, our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family during this difficult time.”
