January 6, 2025
Liberty Entertainment Group CEO Nick Di Donato appointed to the 2024 Order of Ontario
honouring exceptional individuals making a local and global impact
-- Hospitality icon noted for achieving highest level of excellence and contributions in field --
Toronto, ON. Canada’s Liberty Entertainment Group -- is honoured to announce that the company’s president and CEO, Nick Di Donato has been appointed to the 2024 Order of Ontario – the province’s highest honour -- recognizing exceptional individuals who have made a lasting impact in the province, country and the world. Mr. Di Donato was recognized for his exceptional contributions to Ontario’s cultural and tourism landscapes through the restoration of iconic heritage properties. He and fellow appointees will be invested at a ceremony held in Toronto later this year.
Named by the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, members of the Order embody the finest qualities of Ontario, and represent many fields of endeavour including public service, medicine, skilled trades, business, technology, mining, sports, the arts, healthcare, science and more. The province’s program celebrates the people who make Ontario a better place to live.
“The 2024 appointees to the Order of Ontario have enriched the lives of countless people in our province and well beyond,” said the Honorable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. “Together they have attained the highest level of excellence in many fields and may we all be inspired by their remarkable contributions.”
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed to the Order of Ontario, a recognition that inspires me to continue to serve and contribute to our community, with dedication and passion,” said Nick Di Donato, president, and CEO of Liberty Entertainment Group. “This is an auspicious beginning to a promising new year ahead, for which we are truly excited.”
Appointments to the Order are made on the recommendation of an independent advisory council based on the merit of the accomplishments of nominees put forward by members of the public. An Ontarian who has shown outstanding qualities of individual excellence and achievement is eligible to be appointed. Members are invested with the Order’s insignia; appointees are given the post-nominal letters – also called post-nominal initials or titles, or letters placed after a person’s name – to indicate the honour held by the individual.
Nick Di Donato has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, reflecting his significant contributions to the hospitality and tourism industries, as well as his commitment to cultural preservation and community service. The accolades highlight Mr. Di Donato’s visionary leadership, dedication to cultural preservation, and significant impact on the hospitality and tourism sectors in Canada and beyond, and include:
Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy (Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia): In February 2019, Mr. Di Donato was knighted by the Italian government, receiving Italy’s highest civilian honor for his ongoing service to the Italian Republic and promotion of Italian culture abroad.
Citizenship Award: In 2018, Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) honored Mr. Di Donato with the Citizenship Award, recognizing his extensive community involvement and the application of his engineering expertise for the benefit of society.
Lifetime Achievement Award: In October 2024, the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) honored Mr. Di Donato with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his over three decades of significant contributions to Ontario’s tourism industry.
Best in Business Leadership Award: In 2019, Canada’s 100 Best recognized Mr. Di Donato for his exceptional leadership in the hospitality sector.
Independent Restaurateur of the Year: Foodservice and Hospitality magazine awarded Mr. Di Donato the title in 2017, acknowledging his passion and contributions to the restaurant industry.
Order of St. Michael Inductee: In April 2015, St. Michael’s College School in Toronto inducted Mr. Di Donato into the Order of St. Michael, honoring his contributions to the spiritual, academic, and material welfare of the school and the greater community.
Business Excellence Award: In May 2013, the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario honored Mr. Di Donato with this prestigious award, recognizing his achievements in entrepreneurialism, philanthropy, community involvement, and significant contributions to the arts.
Best of the Best Award: Toronto’s Construction Association presented this award to Mr. Di Donato, acknowledging his outstanding contribution to the development and representation of the restaurant and special event industry.
Entrepreneur of the Year Pinnacle Award: Foodservice & Hospitality Magazine honored Mr. Di Donato with this award, recognizing his entrepreneurial spirit and success in the hospitality industry.
Restaurateur of the Year Trillium Award: Ontario’s Trillium Award was presented to Mr. Di Donato, acknowledging his excellence in the restaurant industry.
Business Recognition Award: Former Toronto Mayor, Mel Lastman and the Toronto Economic Development Council awarded Mr. Di Donato this honor, recognizing his contributions to the city’s economic prosperity.
Mr. Di Donato is a visionary entrepreneur known for restoring Ontario’s iconic heritage properties into world-renowned venues. Under his leadership, landmarks like Toronto’s Casa Loma and Liberty Grand venue have been revitalized, enhancing Ontario’s cultural and tourism landscapes. His work has elevated these sites into premier destinations for culture and entertainment. Collaborating with the City of Toronto, he has most recently developed a premium dining and members club in Union Station’s East Wing, supporting Ontario’s vision for revitalizing this iconic heritage site.
About Liberty Entertainment Group
For over three decades the Liberty Entertainment Group, led by Nick Di Donato, has been redefining Toronto’s restaurants, nightlife, and special event experiences. As developers and operators of landmark establishments, the Liberty Entertainment Group has become recognized as one of the most successful and innovative companies in the industry. The company continues to gain success and acknowledgment for its impressive roster of unique venues, including Toronto’s premiere special event facilities, Casa Loma, and Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex. The company is also responsible for the development of Toronto’s most prolific restaurants including BlueBlood Steakhouse, Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890, Michelin-starred DaNico, three Cibo Wine Bar locations (King West, Yonge St, and Yorkville), Paris, Texas, and most recently, the Blue Bovine Steak + Sushi House, and the new Bovine Wine Club. With over 500,000 square feet of hospitality space, the Liberty Entertainment Group caters to a diverse clientele of upwards of 1.75 million people per year including A list celebrities, sports personalities, and industry leaders. Visit www.libertygroup.com and @libertygroup.
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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview or in-studio segment with Liberty Entertainment Group CEO, Nick Di Donato, contact Susan Willemsen at The Siren Group Inc. Tel: 416-461-1567. M: 416-402-4880. Email: susan@thesirengroup.com.