Our Story
After more than 23 years working together at the Park Hyatt Hotel, we feel we know each other rather well and embraced the opportunity to specialize in our own business. We each come from very different backgrounds, as diverse as the great city that we live in. However, it is our similar values that bind and challenge us to continue in this path. Integrity in all that we do, authenticity in our food, work ethic, and the ability to laugh at ourselves. This and much more is what we share.
Raj Muregesu
Born near Jaffna, Sri Lanka to a rural vegan family, challenges at the time sent him on the adventure of international ship work, becoming fluent in the Greek language and pitting olives! Since settling in Canada, Raj has honed his culinary skills, from cooking in Montreal Jewish Deli’s to becoming a master of live charcoal on the hot line, and managing the banquet and kosher kitchens in the Park Hyatt Hotel. His mastery of spice and seasoning, along with his innate understating of vegan values bring the principles of exciting flavour and balance into every aspect of every dish.
Joan Monfaredi
Born in rural Manitoba (yes, that is in Canada) and raised on the farm where homegrown was not a catchphrase. She participated in everything from honey extraction to gardening from an early age, which laid the groundwork for her life’s passion – cooking. Originally trained at Red River Community College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she has over 30 years of managing kitchens in various settings – private clubs, restaurants, catering and hotels – a culinary lifer. She is a proponent of higher culinary values and professionalism, community and industry outreach. Special projects during her career include being a team leader during the openings of 19 Hyatt hotels, guest Chef gigs as far away as Jakarta, Indonesia and creating Cooking with Gas! a Park Hyatt farewell cookbook featuring all the culinary team members at the time.
A New Chapter...
Our story is entering a new chapter as we expand our kitchen operations and food & beverage services to the Glenhill Hotel, partnering with Lanterra Developments and Propeller Hotels in this venture. Designed to meet the elite needs of only the most discerning clientele located in Toronto’s storied Bathurst & Glencairn neighbourhood, the Glenhill will feature an upscale event centre with seated capacity of 180 guests. We are thrilled to be an integral part of this emerging hub of the community and look forward to sharing more details soon!
“We couldn’t be more excited to officially launch Propeller Hotels and immediately partner with TWO13 Kosher Catering and Lanterra Developments to create what is sure to be a landmark hotel, The Glenhill", said Matthew Opferkuch, CEO of Propeller Hotels.
“The Canadian boutique and lifestyle hotel market is maturing rapidly, and owners need a management partner who understands this specialized segment. Our mission is simple: to leverage our deep expertise to drive superior financial performance. This partnership is proof that owners are ready for a management style that prioritizes innovation and bottom-line results.”
propellerhotels.com