CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Conestoga's Keith Müller receives hospitality Hall of Fame honour

Conestoga's Keith Müller, executive dean of both the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts and the Institute of Food Processing Technology, was recently named to the Ontario Hostelry Institute Hall of Fame. The recognition honours Müller's professional achievements, dedication, and contribution to the hospitality industry.

"It's a great honour to be recognized by my peers and colleagues for the work I enjoy doing every day," Müller said.

Müller joined Conestoga in 2014 and has grown his enrolment the in hospitality and culinary programs from approximately 200 to over 1,500 full-time students.

"Seeing students succeed is how I measure my success. Having owned my own restaurant, I have always approached education with a business background. I always ask myself what new partnerships can we leverage in the industry to expose students to new opportunities."

Müller has played an integral role in designing innovative programs. A new bachelor degree program in Hospitality Management will welcome students in fall 2025, and a degree in Sustainable Food Systems and a diploma in chocolate confectionery and currently under development.

Unique culinary programs available only at Conestoga, such as charcuterie and artisanal cheese-making, highlight the importance of sourcing local ingredients while connecting students to Waterloo Region's rich agricultural industry and traditions.

"Anywhere in Kitchener Waterloo you are no more than 15 minutes from prime farmland which will continue to feed us generations to come. And that's why it's been such an important part of everything that we've developed from the professional cheese-making to the charcuterie to the chocolate and confectionery programs."

Müller is also immensely proud of the state-of-the-art culinary facility renovations at the college's Waterloo campus.

"Conestoga's Waterloo campus renovation marked the third time I was involved with designing and building a world-class facility."

A $58-million transformation project started at the campus in 2016, which added 150,000 square feet of learning space and expanded programming in culinary and hospitality management. The state-of-the-art labs and classrooms are spacious, bright, and fully equipped with the latest technology.

Under Müller's leadership and commitment to sustainability, Bloom, a student-run restaurant and practical training lab located on the Waterloo campus, won the Kostuch Media Green Leadership Award for being the first restaurant in Canada to display greenhouse gas emissions icons on its menu.

Müller has also fostered partnerships with international institutions, such as the Institut Lyfe Alliance, providing students and faculty with international exchange and enrichment experiences, while also serving as chair and participating on the boards of several other community organizations.

As a culmination of these efforts, Conestoga was named one of Canada's top four culinary schools in 2024 by University Magazine.

"Keith has brought a breadth of global hospitality and culinary knowledge and experience to Conestoga and this region, and he has left an indelible mark on many students and the broader community," said Gary Hallam, senior vice president, Academic and Students.

"Through his passion for teaching, he combines his knowledge of classical skills with current needs, while his commitment to continually improving and elevating the college's offerings is second to none. Conestoga is very fortunate to have Keith's leadership in this area, and we congratulate him on the well-deserved honour."

As Müller reflected on his career, he offered advice to those aspiring in the hospitality industry and spoke about his vision going forward.   

"Approach anything with passion and determination. Always try new things and explore new ideas. There is great opportunity to continue to grow the culinary, hospitality and food processing programs at Conestoga, and to make them more of an integral part of the region and of what we do. There's a career path for students in all sectors of the hospitality and food industries."

OHI's Hall of Fame inductees will be presented with their awards at the Ontario Hospitality Conference 2024 on October 7.

Conestoga's School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts is a leader in culinary and hospitality programming that prepares students for successful careers in Canada's tourism industry. Students learn from faculty members with extensive industry experience as they develop practical knowledge and theoretical skills. The Waterloo campus is home to its state-of-the-art culinary skills labs and student-run Bloom restaurant.