According to their website, EY “is committed to building a better working world — with increased trust and confidence in business, sustainable growth, and development of talent in all its forms.”

As part of that mission, they run the annual EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards to “recognize entrepreneurs who drive growth, live outside the box, and disrupt with purpose.”

This year, 33 finalists across 8 categories were named. Among them were 5 NL companies: Mallard Cottage, A. Harvey & Company Limited, Lester’s Farm, Jackman Eye Institute, and Blue Oceans Satellite Systems Inc.

Mallard Cottage went on to win in their category: Sustainable Business. A. Harvey & Company Limited also won in their category of family business.

According to EY, their Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are the first and only truly global awards program of its kind, and “celebrate those who are building and leading successful, growing, and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.”

Mallard Cottage’s focus on serving and celebrating local food, and of supporting the Newfoundland & Labrador economy and food system in their procurement process certainly fulfills the award’s mandate. Their focus on quality, unprocessed foods, made in-house, and showcasing the terroir of our province makes patrons comfortable and happy with what they’re eating, and the restaurant has made an out-sized impact on the restaurant scene in our province, as countless other restaurants have followed suit.

(Not to mention the glorious empire Mallard is building with Inns, the forthcoming retail space on Water Street West, and whatever they’re up to with the building on the water in Quidi Vidi)

For 25 years, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program has recognized the achievements of Canada’s entrepreneurial trailblazers — naming more than 3,800 finalists and presenting more than 1,000 awards to inspiring Canadian entrepreneurs.

“The calibre of companies that come through our program continues to amaze me,” says Gina Kinsman, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Atlantic Program Director. “I’m excited to see what comes next.”