Ashton Media authors.

From college dropout to celebrated restaurateur, Kevin has spent over four decades navigating the hospitality industry, building a multi-concept, multi-unit restaurant company that earned national recognition along the way.

His Mexican concept, Tacos Tequila Whiskey, was named one of the Top 50 New Restaurants in the United States by Bon Appétit Magazine. Today, Kevin channels that experience into Butter Hospitality, supporting the next generation of independent restaurant owners through proven systems and hands-on coaching.

Mike Kostyo is a Vice President at Menu Matters and one of the foodservice industry's most recognized trendologists and researchers. He holds an MA in Gastronomy from Boston University.

He spent over a decade at Datassential as Associate Director and Trendologist, tracking trends, flavors, and consumer shifts across North America. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Bloomberg, and on the Food Network.

Liana Robberecht is a Calgary-based chef, artist, and collaborator with over three decades of experience in the culinary industry. She spent 18 years as Executive Chef at the Calgary Petroleum Club, followed by nearly five years at WinSport, before serving as Corporate Executive Chef at Trico Living Well.

Known for her creative approach to food and community, Liana continues to work as a freelance chef and community collaborator, bringing her culinary artistry to projects across Alberta.

Kate Reid joined Food Allergy Canada in 2023 to oversee strategy and initiatives in the foodservice sector. She has worked in the foodservice industry her whole career, including roles in operations, fine dining, and most recently in risk management.

Kate specializes in operational execution - specifically food safety and health and safety - and has extensive experience working collaboratively with government organizations and food industry operators.

Samantha Scholefield brings more than 25 years of experience designing and delivering impactful programs for the foodservice and wine industries, with a strong focus on advancing the long-term sustainability of the sector.

Most recently, she led the development of a Workplace Culture Program for the Chefs' Table Society of BC. She is also an effective grant writer with a track record of securing over $2 million in grant funding for hospitality organizations.

Kevin Penner is a foodservice industry veteran with over 20 years of experience helping operators across Western Canada grow their businesses, energize their teams, and sharpen their marketing edge.

Currently Regional Marketing Manager for Sysco Canada's Prairie region, Kevin is a sought-after presenter, trainer, and motivator who has spoken to thousands of foodservice professionals across the country.

With 36 years inside foodservice from working the line to advising national chains and leading growth programs at a Fortune 50 company, Jay knows what it takes to survive and scale.

His focus: sales growth, profit control, leadership, and brand trust. He's coached thousands of restaurants across Canada, working with owners, leadership teams, and foodservice companies to solve daily problems, make clear decisions, and build steady performance.

Jay founded Ashton Media, a Canadian restaurant media network reaching over 400,000 foodservice professionals monthly. He hosts The Late Night Restaurant Show, Canada's #1 restaurant podcast, #4 in North America, with 1,700+ episodes. He's the author of A Pile Of… and creator of the Ultimate Hospitality Business Summits. In 2026 he launches NEED, a new Canadian foodservice magazine.