For new board members and long time financial supporters Bill Leslie and Stephen Bell, working with Performing Arts Burlington is very rewarding. PAB is one of the many charitable organizations that they are involved with. “We both believe that you have to give back to the community. The community has been good to us,” says Leslie. The pair co-own Pepperwood Bistro, 2020 Lakeside Ristorante & Bar and La Costa Nuova in Burlington, Rosewood Bistro in Mississauga, Millers in Etobicoke and Pepperwood Food services at Beverly GC&C. In addition they operate Pepperwood Catering and Special Events at the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Burlington Art Centre.

Both Bill and Stephen have long been supporters of the arts. Over the past several years they have taken leadership roles in Downtown Dining and this past January, French Quarter Festival, PAB’s signature fundraiser. “When you think about it, there’s a natural fit,” Bill explains. “There’s creativity and artistry in our kitchens, visual arts on our walls and our live entertainment which links us with the rest of the arts – visual and otherwise.”

The walls at Pepperwood on Lakeshore Road are festooned with music-themed paintings by local artists, including Linda Toward and Debbie Scollick. At La Costa Nuova on Brant Street, the art reflects a wine theme and so it goes for all the partners’ operations. “We’re constantly upgrading, improving and putting something more into the restaurants to continue its interest level,” Bill says.

Leslie and Bell – both Burlington residents and strong PAB supporters – studied restaurant management in school and have always worked in the food and beverage industry. With some 50 years of industry experience between them, they opened Pepperwood Bistro
and Pepperwood Catering and Special Events eight years ago.