Order of Collingwood recipient cooks up funds for charities – Collingwood News
People of Collingwood: Paula Zubek, 2026 recipient of the Order of Collingwood
Paula Zubek went from a career in food to lending her talents to charitable fundraising, but is eager to share the spotlight with those she’s met along the way.
For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood, we spoke with Zubek, 57, one of this year’s recipients of the Order of Collingwood.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I was born at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, and I grew up here.
I went to Cameron Street Public School, Admiral Collingwood for Grades 7 and 8, and Collingwood Collegiate Institute.
Q: Where did life take you after you graduated?
A: I went to Queen’s University. I have a Bachelor of Commerce and a B.A. in art history.
Q: What made you choose those fields?
A: My father was an entrepreneur. He was a land surveyor, with Zubek, Emo, Patten & Thomsen Ltd.
Most people recognize my name because it’s on the survey when they buy or sell a house here.
I liked the idea of being in the business world until I went to school for it. I realized I didn’t want to do it, but I still got my degree.
I moved back to Collingwood much earlier than I planned in 1994 and bought an existing restaurant, turning it into Terracotta Restaurant on Pine St.
I had virtually no restaurant experience, although I had served in a few places. It was a trial by fire. I was the boss, but I started in the dish pit, then they had me doing prep, then I learned how to cook, so if something ever happened my partner or I could step up.
That started a life-long love of cooking, after previously not being able to even make a box of Kraft Dinner.
While we had Terracotta, we were approached by Intrawest, who built Blue Mountain Village, about starting a restaurant there. We were the first ones there in 2001 when construction started, opening Copper Blues Bar and Grill. We watched the village grow up around us.
It was an experience getting a restaurant of that size up and running, and I stayed a principal there until 2013.
In 2012, I got a headache, and I’ve had that headache for 13 and a half years. I was finding it hard to work in that kind of atmosphere. I sold my portion, and I was taking a break, trying to recover, and planning for the next chapter.
My husband, Patrick, said he would be retiring in a couple of years. It was a total lie – he’s still working.
It gave me an opening to concentrate more time and effort into volunteering and fundraising. We decided we should be philanthropic and since I had the time and wherewithal, it became my job.
Q: When did you first start volunteering, and where?
A: I was approached to join the Theatre Collingwood board in 2008. I did that for a few years and ran a couple of their gala fundraisers.
At the same time, I was recruited for the board of the Georgian Bay Club Foundation. That foundation had one major fundraiser a year with the dollars going to the Collingwood and Meaford hospital foundations, as well as a few other area charities. I was there for about 14 years and we raised about $2.5 million that was distributed to the community.
I became part of the Hospice Georgian Triangle Foundation board at the urging of Ron Emo, and the decision was an easy one as my mother was the third patient to go into Campbell House when it opened in 2014, and the first to pass there. The outstanding experience stayed with me and when the opportunity presented itself to work with the foundation, I was honoured.
Q: If someone wanted to get involved in the charitable fundraising space, what would be your advice for them?
A: Luckily, I was in the right place at the right time.
My knowledge was in food and restaurants, so running fundraisers felt natural for me. I started off telling people I wasn’t going to ask for any money, and that’s all I’ve done now.
You have to find the passion. It can be a one-time event. If you have a passion for music, you could put on a show somewhere and donate proceeds to your favourite charity. The charity itself will always help you.
It shouldn’t be daunting to want to give back. You can do as little or as much as you want. You can make it happen and change people’s lives, whether you raise $500 or $500,000.
Q: When you were told you were getting the Order of Collingwood this year, how did you feel in that moment?
A: I found out by email.
I have terrible imposter syndrome, especially after reading the bios of the other people who received it. I feel like I’m not quite in their sphere of volunteerism and influence, but I’m completely honoured.
I accepted the award for all the people I’ve worked with over 20 years who make these events happen.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I golf a lot.
I’m a boater. My husband was a pilot so we’ve done a lot of trips around North America. I love games. I’ll play any game, anywhere.
I still like to cook.
Q: Is there anything else you want people in Collingwood to know about you?
A: I’m very proud of being from Collingwood.
I’m proud to see how its grown. Everyone has embraced these many charities and everyone wants to make Collingwood a better place.
Their generosity is overwhelming.
