Craig Youdale’s professional career began in the culinary world of his hometown of Ottawa. The path began with restaurants across our Nation’s Capital including an apprenticeship at the prestigious Fairmont Chateau Laurier. This culinary expertise brought him to lead key restaurants in Calgary before a new educational journey began in 1995 where he became a professor in the Culinary Programs at Holland College in Prince Edward Island. Craig went on to complete his MBA at Guelph University in his time as a professor, but also taught culinary students in Sichuan, China for a summer. His career allowed him to the opportunity to promote Canadian cuisine across the country, and around the globe, including Japan, Chile, Germany, France, UK and USA.

His dedication to the highest standards led him to manage and mentor our National Junior Culinary Team to 3 Culinary Olympics and 5 World Championships garnering 3 Olympic Gold Medals and a World Championship in Glasgow in 2007. Craig came to Niagara College in 2009 as the Associate Dean and soon become the Dean of the Canadian Food and Wine Institute in early 2013. In that time, he has overseen the launching of programs in Baking Pastry, Culinary Innovation and Food Technology, Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management, and Artisan Distilling program.

The Ontario Hostelry Institute honoured Craig with its Gold Medal in Education in 2017 as well as winning the 2018 Spirit of Niagara Award in Hospitality for his contribution to the Niagara region. His dedication to culinary world in Canada led him to be named to the Honour Society of the Canadian Culinary Federation in 2018 and the Academy of Chefs for the American Culinary Federation in 2019.

In 2022 Niagara College moved the School of Hospitality and Tourism under the leadership of Craig to create a more comprehensive division with three schools including the School of Wine Beer and Spirits and the renowned School of Culinary Arts.

Dr. Caroline Chabert Delio is the Associate Dean of Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies at Niagara College, Ontario. She is a senior academic leader with more than 20 years of combined experience in higher education and the hospitality, tourism, and events industries.

Since joining Niagara College in 2024, Dr. Chabert Delio has provided academic leadership focused on student success, curriculum excellence, industry engagement, and program innovation. She is committed to developing high-quality learning experiences that prepare graduates for leadership in the culinary, tourism, hospitality, and beverage sectors.
Prior to joining Niagara College, Dr. Chabert Delio held several leadership positions at IPAG Business School in France, including Program Director for the Bachelor of Business Administration, Head of International Master’s Dual Degree Programs, and Head of the International Office. She also taught marketing, hospitality, tourism, innovation, and project management at business schools and universities in France and internationally, including China.

Before transitioning to academia, Dr. Chabert Delio built a successful career in the international hospitality, tourism, and events industries. She managed large-scale projects, international partnerships, and global client accounts for organizations including Kuoni Group, with professional experience in both France and the United Kingdom. Her industry background brings a practical, global perspective to academic leadership and program development.

Dr. Chabert Delio holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from the IAE at Université Côte d’Azur (2020), where her research explored travellers’ attitudes and behaviours through the application of big data analytics. Her scholarly interests include marketing, consumer behaviour, tourism, hospitality management, innovation, and experiential learning, and she continues to contribute to research and academic publications.

Bilingual in English and French, Dr. Chabert Delio is passionate about fostering meaningful partnerships with industry and international institutions, advancing applied education, and creating innovative academic programs that equip students with the knowledge, skills, and global perspective needed to thrive in an evolving industry.

Robert is a Professor in the Brewmaster & Brewery Operations Management Program. Robert has over 15yrs of brewing industry experience and holds a BSc in Biochemistry, MSc in Brewing & Distillation Science, and IBD Diploma in Brewing.

Robert’s previous work experience had him working in all aspects of brewing from Quality Assurance, to Production & Packaging, R&D, Planning & Management, and Brewery Consulting.

Rob is also the founding member of High Road Brewing Company, est. 2014. To learn more about his venture, please visit www.canadianbeernews.com/2015/05/29/high-road-brewing-launches-in-ontario-with-bronan-ipa/.

Adrian Popowycz is a Professor and Program Coordinator at Niagara College’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management Program. He is a multi award winning brewer both Provincially and Nationally who has developed many unique beers that were firsts in the Ontario market. Adrian’s goal at the college is to instill the same passion and excitement that drove him to great success in Ontario’s burgeoning craft beer scene into his students, the future Brewmasters.

Adrian spent time in Germany where he earned his brewing credentials at the world renowned VLB in Berlin. From there, Adrian joined a small brewing start up in Oakville where he honed his skills and developed a positive reputation for his brewing knowledge and skill. He then went on to work with other well known craft brewers throughout the province.

Adrian draws on his extensive brewing industry expertise ( >15 Years in Ontario), and his highly successful track record and experience in the science and business sides of Biotechnology industry ( >10 years) where he strives to both teach the scientific fundamentals of brewing  but to also convey the hard learned lessons that only the school of hard knocks can teach. His experience of having worked in both very large corporations as well as start-up’s serves him well in this regard.

Andrea Fujarczuk is a dedicated Professor and Program Coordinator of Artisan Distilling at Niagara College, where she bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world technical expertise to professionalize the next generation of Canadian distillers. With a multifaceted career spanning international roles at Thames Distillers in London and Moët Hennessy UK, as well as entrepreneurial experience as a co-founder and head distiller, she brings extensive knowledge in supply chain management, sensory analysis, and brand strategy to her teaching. Currently pursuing a DBA at Heriot-Watt University, Andrea is a recognized leader in the industry, evidenced by her 2026 recognition as one of Niagara’s “Top 40 Under 40” and her receipt of the prestigious Les Dames d’Escoffier International Legacy Award. Beyond the classroom, she is a passionate advocate for the Canadian spirits industry, serving as a judge, conference presenter, and the founder of Niagara Whisky, all while remaining committed to fostering a sustainable, innovative future for the global distilling community.

A 35-year veteran of restaurant management, the wine trade, winery consulting, and beverage alcohol education in both British Columbia and Ontario, Peter completed his Bachelor of Commerce in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Guelph in 1989 and Sommelier certification through the International Sommelier Guild in 1993. He worked and competed as a professional sommelier until 2001 after which time he shifted his focus towards the wine trade and education. He was named top Sommelier in western Canada in 1996, top 3 Sommelier in Canada for French Wines and Spirits in 1997 and won the Ontario Wine Award Sommelier of the Year in 2006. He completed his Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in 1998. He is also a Certified Wine Educator and Certified Specialist of Spirits with the Society of Wine Educators. Peter holds his M. Ed from Queen’s University and is currently professor and program coordinator in the School of Wine, Beer, and Spirits at Niagara College and assessor for the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) at Brock University.

Raised in the Ottawa Valley, Gavin Robertson studied the Humanities before moving to Europe, where he encountered wine culture at the ground level, picking grapes to fund his travels and developing his palate by tasting great wines at every opportunity. Upon returning to Canada, he enrolled in the Winery and Viticulture Technician program at Niagara College in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, and further expanded his education through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Having worked in vineyards and wineries throughout Ontario, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, Gavin brings extensive international industry experience to his current role as Professor and Program Coordinator of the Winery and Viticulture Technician program at Niagara College. He also serves as an instructor for the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, as a member of the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) Standards committee, and is a consultant in the Ontario Wine industry.

Gavin completed a Nuffield Canada Scholarship, conducting international research on innovative models for viticulture and wine education, workforce development, and applied learning. He holds a Master of Education in Leadership in Learning from the University of Prince Edward Island, reflecting his commitment to educational leadership, experiential learning, and the development of future industry professionals. His teaching philosophy combines technical excellence, hands-on learning, and a global perspective to prepare students for successful careers in the grape and wine industry.

Emily discovered her passion for wine while completing a doctorate in chemistry. She moved to the Niagara region to study winemaking before starting her winemaking career as a lab technician and assistant winemaker at Tawse Winery.

Emily then travelled to work wine harvests in Australia, New Zealand and British Columbia. In 2015, she returned to Ontario and joined the winemaking team at Trius Winery with Andrew Peller Limited. In 2016, Emily spent a year as a postdoctoral researcher at Brock University studying the effect of harvesting grapes following severe frost and the impacts on wine quality. Emily returned to Trius Winery, where she has been making premium wines for the past six years.

In her new role at Niagara College, Emily is dedicated to nurturing a new generation of beverage alcohol professionals who understand not only the chemistry of wine but also its cultural significance and the artistry that goes into every bottle.

As a professor of Beverage Alcohol Science (wine emphasis), Dr. Emily Aubie’s presence is a testament to the intersection of science and artistry that defines winemaking. Her journey from academic exploration to hands-on experience has equipped her with a profound understanding of the craft, making her a cherished addition to the Niagara College community and an inspiring guide for those who seek to explore the captivating world of wine.