VCC’s annual food and wine gala returns to raise funds for Virtual Reality equipment
Get ready to don your green for Vancouver Community College (VCC) Foundation’s sixth annual wine and food tasting fundraiser on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Broadway campus.
Flourish, presented by RBC, is VCC's signature green-tie gala. The stand-up event will feature 15 gourmet food sampling stations, where attendees can experience the best culinary bites from renowned chefs in the city paired with wines from the Naramata Bench region of B.C., local breweries, and a pick-me-up with Nespresso martinis.
Returning on the roster of VCC’s most talented culinary minds this year is chefs Scarlet Gaffney and Karen Gin, Tobias MacDonald, Hamid Salimian, Giulia Nardiello and Ronnie Nugent, while VCC’s distinguished alumni chef, Damon Campbell from the Fairmont Pacific Rim, will be joining chefs Edison Antejo and Anna Yeh, Shahni Arshad, Tret Jordan, Heat Laliberte, and Kishore Rangan. Each chef will be assisted by VCC Culinary Arts students, providing an opportunity for the apprentices to bolster their education experience.
In addition to a delightful blend of refined tasting plates, this special evening showcases the diverse programs that VCC offers. These include:
- Music performed by leading industry VCC alumni
- VCC Culinary and Automotive virtual reality demonstrations
- VCC's University Transfer Science department will have microscopes and plants Indigenous to China Creek for guests to view, and so much more
Rounding out the evening are dessert stations, featuring VCC pastry chefs Esther Kosa and Leanne Bentley, as well as Citlalli Mendez Cedillo and Camille Sauvagnac.
"We are thrilled to be hosting this event once again and to be able to raise funds to purchase in virtual reality equipment and technology to increase opportunities for students to receive practical hands-on training,” says Moira Gookstetter, Executive Director of VCC Foundation. "The continued support from our sponsors such as RBC, PCI and Lowtide Development, Naramata Bench Winery Association and our local wineries and chefs, who have generously donated their time and resources to make this event a success, is truly remarkable.”
Funds raised from the event will go towards the purchase of innovative technology to enhance the student learning experience.
Flourish, presented by RBC
Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
VCC Broadway campus
The event is open to the public and sells out quickly. Be part of a memorable experience and exciting opportunity in the heart of the city. Purchase your tickets now >
Chef tasting stations
- Edison Antejo and Anna Yeh – Showcase Restaurant – Vancouver Marriott International
- Shahni Arshad – Supper Club YVR
- Leanne Bentley and Esther Kosa– Vancouver Community College
- Damon Campbell – Fairmont Pacific Rim
- Scarlet Gaffney and Karen Gin – Vancouver Community College
- Tret Jordan – Truffles Fine Foods
- Heat Laliberte – Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre and Crack On
- Tobias MacDonald – Vancouver Community College
- Citlalli Mendez Cedillo and Camille Sauvagnac – Wildlight Restaurant
- Giulia Nardiello and Ronnie Nugent – Vancouver Community College
- Kishore Rangan – Vancouver Convention Centre
- Hamid Salimian – Chef’s Table at Vancouver Community College
Vancouver Community College – Department activations
- Automotive Collisions Programs – Automotive Refinishing VR Simulator
- Automotive Technician – Driver Simulator
- Fashion and Design
- Digital Media Design
- Hair and Design
- Heavy Duty Mechanics – VR Mechanic Gloves
- School of Health and Sciences – Showcase of Compound Microscope with Algae and Pond Water