Ontario Chamber Announces Ontario Business Achievement Award CEO Of The Year

(Toronto – November 9, 2021) – As part of its Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs), the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is proud to announce Paramount Fine Foods’ President & CEO, Mohamad Fakih as the 2021 CEO of the Year Award recipient. The CEO of the Year Award is given to a CEO with exceptional leadership over the past 12 months, bringing their organization to a new level of growth and success within their industry.

“We are extremely proud to honour Mohamad Fakih as the CEO of the Year. He went above and beyond to support Ontario’s communities when they needed it most,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “Mohamad led his team to launch Canada’s first fully automated ‘safe’ restaurant and donated thousands of meals to food banks, shelters, people in need, and frontline health-care workers. Thanks to his incredible leadership, Paramount Fine Foods continues to put their focus on supporting local communities.”

The OBAA ceremony is the most recognized industry celebration in the province with a focus on celebrating business success and those who support it. Traditionally an in-person event, this year’s virtual presentation celebrates those who supported local communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the event shifted to a virtual presentation to recognize those heroes making a difference. The 2021 Virtual Ontario Business Achievement Awards will air on TLN Media Group on November 13, 2021, followed by an encore presentation on November 14.

“I am so honoured to receive the CEO of the Year award from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, such a highly respected organization that works tirelessly to represent business in our province,” said Mohamad Fakih, President and CEO, Paramount Fine Foods. “I have truly lived the Canadian Dream since I arrived in this country many years ago; I’ve found my place as an entrepreneur, a business owner and a proud Canadian. I owe any success to so many others who lift me up, and support everything we do together at Paramount and beyond. Thank you to the Chamber for recognizing not just me and my entire team, but also the contributions that, as for so many others like me, this proud immigrant is able to make to our country.”

The 2021 Virtual Ontario Business Achievement Awards will celebrate Difference Makers in occupations and sectors who are supporting Ontario’s economy and communities through the pandemic. These include CEO of the Year, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Small Businesses, Teachers, Food Producers, and Cooperation Between Private and Public Sectors. From the sectors who keep our communities’ shelves stocked, to Ontarians working together for the common goal of public health, this celebration is a must watch.

Thank you to our Partners! This year’s CEO of the Year Award is sponsored by MNP, with Contributing Sponsors: Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) and Power Corporation of Canada, and Supporting Sponsors: Bell Canada, Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Ltd., and CIBC. The OBAAs are supported by Series Presenting Sponsor CN and Broadcast Sponsor TLN Media Group.

Watch the 2021 Ontario Business Achievement Awards on Saturday, November 13 from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm, and an encore presentation Sunday, November 14 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. TLN is now in Free Preview.

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the OCC has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

About Paramount Fine Foods
Paramount Fine Foods began as one Middle Eastern restaurant in Mississauga, Ont., and is now the fastest growing Middle Eastern food chain in Canada with more than 60 restaurants. Paramount flew in renowned international chefs to share the most authentic Lebanese recipes using the freshest and finest ingredients which have been passed down for generations to enjoy. With the aroma of freshly baked breads in its wood-burning ovens, charcoal BBQ meats and handmade sweets, Paramount Fine Foods provides guests a culinary experience that will not be forgotten.

About Mohamad Fakih
Mohamad Fakih is President and CEO of Paramount Fine Foods. He bought a near bankrupt restaurant and built it into one of North America’s fastest growing Middle Eastern Halal food chains – Paramount Fine Foods. And all while becoming one of the country’s most respected philanthropists. Learn more: https://paramountfinefoods.com/our-story/

For more information, please contact:
Michelle Eaton
Vice President, Public Affairs, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
michelleeaton@occ.ca 647-243-3556