Cobourg, ON (March 13, 2023) – The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Cobourg are pleased to announce Zak Copeland as the recipient of this year’s William Crossen Young Professional Award, proudly sponsored by Jacqueline Pennington. The award will bepresented at the Business Achievement Awards on Friday, March 24, 2023, at the Best Western PLUS Cobourg Inn and Convention Centre. 

The William Crossen Young Professional Award recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of business professionals 40 years of age and younger who own, operate, or manage a business in the Town of Cobourg, or the Townships of Hamilton or Alnwick/Haldimand. The award is named after William Crossen, the eldest son of James Crossen, and eventual manager of the Crossen Car Manufacturing Company of Cobourg.

“Congratulations to Zak! His entrepreneurship skills and resilience have garnered great success through challenging times,” says Business Achievement Award Co-Chair Ann Newell.

Owner of Prep Food Co. Downtown Cobourg, Zak Copeland is a young, community-minded culinary entrepreneur who has been innovating in the kitchen and nourishing Northumberland residents since his teenage years. Determined, resilient, passionate, and adaptable, Zak has been able to reimagine his young business throughout the COVID-19 years, allowing him to remain successful while also providing valuable jobs to folks in need of work or who want experience in the hospitality industry.  

Today, Prep Food Co.’s lunch counter is in high demand and Zak is a common presence at many local events and community fundraisers. Zak and his team also donate their time and kitchen to prepare holiday meals for several local charities and during COVID-19, partnered with community-based organizations to help feed vulnerable neighbours.

“Thank you to the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Cobourg for this humbling award- and thank you to Jaquelin Pennington for your sponsorship,” says Zak Copeland – Owner of Prep Food Co. “This award is not won by me as an individual but by a strong team at Prep Food Company including Emma Tacq, Nathan Meima, and Sean Clayton. We look forward to many more years of being able to do business in Northumberland County while doing what we love, which is providing people that we care about with more and better access to quality food.”

The official presentation of the William Crossen Young Professional Award will be made at the Business Achievement Awards on Friday, March 24th at the Best Western PLUS Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre. This year’s Master of Ceremony will be Joel Scott.  

Support the Business Achievement Awards – Purchase Tickets!

Show your local business and community support by purchasing your ticket to the 2023 Business Achievement Awards. Tickets are $88.49+ hst/each and are available online at www.nccofc.ca or at the Chamber Building, 278 George Street, in Cobourg’s Downtown Heritage District or by calling 905-372-5831.

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Media Contacts

Kara Euale                                               Kevin Ward

Communication Manager                           President & CEO

Town of Cobourg                                      Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce

P: 905-372-4301 x 4105                            P: 905-372-5831

E: keuale@cobourg.ca                              E: chamber@nccofc.ca