The Chef Nik Lim Scholarship was created to honour the memory of Chef Nik Lim. Nessa Van Bergen and Chef Dino Renaerts initiated the scholarship as a tribute to their colleague, One of the brightest lights on Vancouver’s culinary scene who passed away in July 2019 at a young age. This is ONE yearly scholarship in the amount of $2,000.

Nik loved mentoring both junior chefs and floor staff, and his generosity and professionalism made a deep impression on his many friends and colleagues. We want to establish a scholarship in his name that will serve as a legacy that will live on for many years. In this way, Nik will indirectly continue be a mentor in the future – something we know would have made him very happy!

BIOGRAPHY

Nik Lim was born in Singapore and his family moved to Canada when he was 8 years old. He grew up in a culture that celebrated food, and family gatherings often involved elaborate feasts. By the age of 14 he knew he wanted to become a professional chef.

Nik attended Dubrulle Culinary Arts at Vancouver’s Art Institute, and upon graduation in 2001 he accepted a position as Executive Sous Chef at Caffe de Medici.

His career lead him to work at restaurants such as Red Door, Hart House, Fraiche and Stanley Park Pavilion. In 2008, at the age of 25, he became one of the youngest Executive Chefs in the city, at North Vancouver’s Gusto di Quattro.

Even early in his career, he was quick to jump in and mentor those around him where he could. He was always so proud of those he taught, and believed that their success was also his success.

In 2015 he opened his own custom catering and consulting company, Chef Nik Culinary Services, and worked on projects such as opening the new Stong’s Market, as well as assisting with culinary projects with the Capilano Group and various other restaurants along the way.