This year's Golden Pencil winners announced

The Food Industry Association of Canada announced Wednesday that Kraft's Dino Bianco and Metro CEO Eric La Flèche will receive the 2013 Golden Pencil Award.

Bianco is executive vice-president and president, beverages and Canada at Kraft Foods Group. He has led Kraft’s beverages business unit and Kraft Canada since January 2013.

Previously, Bianco served as president of Kraft’s international & foodservice business and the marketing services and innovation organizations.

Bianco joined Kraft in 1990 as finance manager and was promoted to director of financial planning & analysis in 1996 where he worked with the retail and foodservice businesses.

Bianco is the past chair of Food and Consumer Products of Canada and sits on the board of The Grocery Foundation and is a member of the board of trustees of the United Way Toronto.

La Flèche has been president and chief executive officer of Metro Inc. since April 2008.

He joined Metro in 1991 as head of real estate and has held several positions of increasing responsibility, including executive vice-president and chief operating officer, president of Loeb Canada Inc. and senior vice-president of the Super C banner.

He is member of the board of directors of Metro Inc. and the Bank of Montreal. He was recognized as one of "Canada’s Top 40 under 40" in 2001.

La Flèche is involved with several charities in Quebec including United Way of Greater Montreal.

Considered the grocery industry's highest honour, the Golden Pencil Award was first presented in 1957. The award recognizes the efforts of both buyer and seller in developing and improving the Canadian food industry.

The award is given to individuals, who through their career dedication, have made a significant and worthwhile contribution to the industry.

The Golden Pencil Award ceremony will take place on November 25, at the Royal York Hotel, Concert Hall, in Toronto.

To purchase tickets ($110), contact: [email protected]

Or go online.