2017 Vaughan Honouree
When Peter and Anna met, they instantly became best partners in life, love, and business. Together they formed the foundation upon which their company was built. Their story began as a small bakery, earning them a reputation for exceptional hospitality, built on hard work, creativity, and strong values. Fueled by passion, and a vision to grow into one of the largest hospitality firms in Toronto, it is now referred to as “byPeterandPauls.com Entertainment and Hospitality Group.”
Today the business includes eight iconic venues, and services, ranging from off-premise catering by Peter and Paul’s EventCatering, audio-visual and DJ services by S4 Audio Visual, graphic design and video production by Engine 8 Media, and gifts for all occasions including corporate gifts and promotional from Peter and Paul’s Gifts.
Their most memorable moment of giving back occurred in 1988. Through the opening of their first restaurant in York Region, they made connections with the popular soap opera, The Young and the Restless. At the peak of the show’s fame, Anna and Peter arranged for the cast to attend events they hosted. They donated their time, clothing, scripts, and props for auction. All proceeds went to various charities in York Region. This became an annual event for many years with a large following.
Getting increasingly involved and giving back in more significant ways drives Peter, Anna, their children, and now grandchildren, as do the unexpected rewards that come from the many thanks expressed.
Now they hope to develop a youth program for underprivileged children who desire to be part of the arts and entertainment industry. Anna and Peter see a large void between talented youth and the resources that they have access to, to cultivate their talents.
Giving back is important to the entire Eliopoulos family. Their involvement with Sick Kids Hospital (A Night to Remember), and Humber River Hospital (Million Dollar Challenge), has been very rewarding, as have other fundraisers including the Venetian Ball, Greek Heritage Foundation, Walk to End Breast Cancer, to name a few. Peter has held a golf tournament for twenty years, with funds totalling over a million dollars going directly to Sick Kids, and the New Leaf facility in Newmarket.
To Anna and Peter, community is extremely important. They want everyone to understand that when it comes to giving back, it’s not just how much you can give financially, but through participation as well. Help wherever you can; everyone has different strengths, so find out what yours are and use that to contribute to the community in your own way.