My long-term goal is to own a resort somewhere in Canada where I will be able to utilize my skillset to provide unparalleled guest experiences and to contribute towards society by creating a better place to live and work.

The opportunity of beginning my career in the Spirits Industry came about through the fortunate intersection of timing and friendship; with the birth of my daughter and the end of my career in the culinary and food industries. Ampersand Distilling was growing to the point of having a potential position available for an Assistant Distillery Operator and I was excited to take on the opportunity. Coming from the hospitality industry, in both large hotels and small restaurants, I am keenly aware that we can bring much joy to the world through our daily creations. This does not happen without purposeful intent and great care. Thank-you BCHF, your support in my educational endeavors with the Institute of Brewing and Distilling is very much appreciated.

I’m extremely grateful to have been presented this opportunity by the BCHF and the sponsors of this scholarship. I look forward to working with the BCHF and furthering my passion for the culinary arts through this scholarship.

I attended an educational exhibition where I learned about work on cruise ships. I realized that this experience could be useful in my life and I took action. I went through the interview process and was successful.

I want to thank the BCHF organisation to give me the opportunity to expend my knowledge on wines, this scholarship will be put to use everyday and I will be able to share my new knowledge with my guest and coworkers on a daily base.

I’m a Vancouverite born and raised, continuing to pursue my educational and career path passions on the beautiful B.C. west coast at the University of Victoria. Currently, I am a Fourth-Year student in the Peter B. Gustavson Business School Bachelor of Commerce Program. By my graduation, I will receive a Dual Specialization BCom Degree with a primary focus in Service Management and a secondary in Entrepreneurship. My most ambitious dream would be one day taking over the resort with a small cosmetics side business of my own being sold in the spa’s shop.

Since my grade 10 year of high school, I worked in my school’s culinary arts class. By grade 12, I became the head baker and made all the decisions in our bakery. Throughout my time in the program, I have learned so much about baking; from preppy for large groups, to making tiramisu, and perfecting the macaron. Although these tasks intimidated me in the beginning, I can confidently say that I now feel very skilled and knowledgeable about the field.  I am particularly passionate about giving back to those less fortunate than me and using my passion for baking to bring others happiness when they need it most. Some of my favorite days in the kitchen were the ones leading up to a charity bake sale, or a holiday dinner.   I want to thank all of the amazing sponsors for this very generous culinary arts scholarship, I am incredibly grateful. A career in culinary arts has always been my dream. Until recently that’s all it’s been, just a dream. But in spite of all the challenges life has recently thrown at me, my dream is starting to become a reality. And it wouldn’t be possible without amazing opportunities like this. So thank you for believing in my dreams as much as I do. I can’t wait to see where they will take me!

Thank you so much! I am very grateful my application to the BC Hospitality Foundation LGBT2Q+ Scholarship program was successful. A special thank you to Jarret Bachmann & Ben Sledge! As an Onboard Host for the Rocky Mountaineer and CEO with Rethink2gether, this grant is a fantastic opportunity. A fantastic opportunity to learn from the course HOSP 2820 from Vancouver Community College, with hotel experts. A fantastic opportunity to leverage profitable decision-making tools like Breakeven Analysis and Menu Engineering. A fantastic opportunity for me to provide even more value to the Canadian hospitality industry. I am convinced that my passion for helping hotels be more sustainable, my experiences as a gay hospitality worker in BC and my dynamic approach turned toward action will help maximize the impact of this grant. I am on a mission to help commercial kitchens prevent food waste and improve the bottom line. Thank you very much!

I have chosen to pursue culinary arts because cooking has been a passion of mine since I was a child. Even though I have attended university and have other certification, I still want to pursue culinary arts. I have been a registered massage therapist for over 10 years, and finally feel like I am ready to follow my dream of being a chef. I would like to become a red seal chef in the near future. It’s been my passion since I was little, when my grandmother first taught me the basic Ukrainian cuisine. There is a constant learning curve in the culinary arts, and that is what I enjoy most about this profession. Twenty-five years ago was the start of my culinary journey, and now I am finally able to pursue my dream. Thank for believing in me and helping me achieve my dream being a chef.

Around 4 years ago I found my love for the wine tourism sector. Living in the Okanagan has allowed me to immerse myself in the wine and hospitality culture here and learn as much as I can in the process. I am passionate about continuing my post-secondary education and exploring how I can make an impact throughout my career.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the King Family for honouring Greg in this profound way. I, too, have always had a passion for cooking, scents and taste. My first "signature dish" was the "Happy Sandwich" which I created when I was 8.  One of my top goals for the coming years is gain enough education to earn a position alongside a professional chef working the line at a reputable restaurant. My desire is to remind everyone that food is not just something to eat, but something we can fully enjoy!

Initially, I was an introverted individual who would almost always prefer to stay out of small conversations, and more of a logical thinker, which should be opposite to what we do for excellent customer service. However, the idea of bringing great experiences to the customers of hospitality and tourism businesses piqued my interest. Studying and working in the industry for the past four years has helped me hone my social and managerial skills.

Thank you so much to my sponsor! I am so great full for the support to help me further my culinary career.

When I first heard about the program, the word “hospitality” made me think about “hospitals”, so I wasn’t that excited…but when I started to look at the courses within the program, I was surprised to see I would learn about Tourism, Restaurant Operations, Principles of Service Management and many more. I said, “No way! I’m actually interested in these courses!”

A big thank you to the BCHF and to all the generous sponsors. It is initiatives like these that empower individuals to grow while providing a safety net for our beloved, hard working, industry. Thank you, truly.

With over three years of experience in the industry, I took a break from the restaurant industry for a little over a year due to covid-19. I greatly missed being a part of the culinary world, and I’m eager to be back in the industry that I know and love. I believe I would make a good candidate because of how much I enjoyed and thrived working at previous restaurants. I am currently enrolled in the Grand Diploma Culinary and baking & pastry arts programa in the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. Thank you SO MUCH for this scholarship!

Thank you so much for this scholarship award. This award will help me greatly as I pursue my passion in the Culinary and Pastry Industry.

I am sincerely grateful to have been selected to receive the BC WISE scholarship that you have sponsored for. It is an absolute honour to journey through recommending your products at JAKs and to now be able to receive a scholarship from you. The scholarship means a lot to me as it will not only help pay off some of my loans for my education but allow for further learning in the future. Thank you again!

I'm very honoured to have been awarded this scholarship. A huge thank you to BCHF, BCIT and the Sheane family for this distinct privilege, and a further kudos for being able to turn a tragedy into a means to breathe hope and support into the lives of young people in BC.

I would love to have the same opportunity in any one of the fantastic hotels in BC; first working my way up into a supervisory role in Rooms and then, a more senior leadership role before someday taking on the role of Director Rooms Division. While it may seem like a lofty goal, I’m confident the education I’ve received at Douglas College will help me achieve it. In addition to my studies, I've volunteered with the Douglas Students Union (DSU) at social events for students and as a bartender for Sleipner Lodge 8, a chapter of the Sons of Norway. In my free time, I enjoy heading to local breweries and trying new beers, exploring trails, and perusing art galleries or museums.

I’m in so much awe that you considered me to be a recipient of the scholarship and I would like to give a huge thanks to the organization and to the sponsors who are eager to support people to prosper in the field of hospitality. This was such an awesome experience that I will surely cherish.

Upon graduation, I plan to continue as a Housekeeping Supervisor at my current workplace for one more year and then seek other opportunities in another department within the BC hotel industry. I would also like to expand my network, perhaps by attending more work events and alumni events whenever it´s possible. In the meantime, I will keep exploring the wonders that Victoria has to offer.

Our industry has been through some rough times the past 2 years, and we have all had our own struggles. Thank you, BC Hospitality Foundation, and to all the donors for supporting people in the industry chasing their dreams. I am deeply honoured and grateful to be chosen as recipient.

For the past 3 years, I have worked at the Cactus Club Café in West Vancouver. Starting as a dish washer, I quickly transitioned to Line Cook, Prep Cook and into my current position as a Jr. Sous Chef. During this time, I learned the value of each role and the important contribution they make in running an efficient well-organized kitchen.   Following graduation with PICA, my goal is to gain experience in fine dining. Within the next 3 years, I hope to move to France to further my training in classical French techniques before returning to Vancouver to fulfill my ultimate dream of owning my own restaurant.  Thank you kindly.

I am deeply honored and thankful for being selected as a recipient to BC Hospitality Foundation Future Leaders Award 2022. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all my Professors from VIU who have nominated me for this award, my sponsor and everyone from BCHF from who make this award possible for us students. Looking forward to contributing from my end in the future towards BCHF. Thank you so very much for being here for us.

First and foremost I am honoured to be one of this year's recipients of the BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) Culinary Scholarship. Thanks to your generosity, I am able to invest in more books, as well as an updated toolbox. My dedication and passion for culinary arts has not only allowed me to freely express myself through food, but also motivates me to be a part of the change in todays industry as a young woman in the kitchen. I would like to acknowledge Northwest Culinary Academy for helping me on this journey. The biggest test of my potential came when the pandemic began, and a lot of my co-workers were let go. Being the only cook in the kitchen at the time was a test of confidence of what I can accomplish as a young chef. It exposed me to a lot of hard challenges, such as how to adapt to different circumstances, enduring long hours, practicing patience as well as being constantly under a microscope by all the senior sous chefs. This was an opportunity for me to step up as a leader and level up my techniques with precision in the kitchen. It was my responsibility to train new cooks, coordinate with the chefs for service, and overall be the most reliable cook the chefs could trust. I was then promoted to Chef de Partie and awarded Employee of the year.

I’m thrilled to be able to introduce myself as a student again, having benefitted enormously from your organization’s support in terms of scholarships and community event support in years past. For the past five years as Wine Director of Chambar Restaurant, I have managed a large team and wine program and led a team of four sommeliers to win three consecutive Platinum awards with the Vancouver International Wine Festival. It was always my goal to hire a young and diverse team of sommeliers, and I was proud to introduce young people to the world of wine on my team and in the greater community. Thank-you BCHF.

As a newly graduated chef, foodie, and food blogger, I hope to continue my culinary school studies this summer with my acceptance to Le Cordon Bleu London to further educate and grow my knowledge in the art of patisserie. As a chef, I believe that possessing the knowledge of both culinary and patisserie skills can be an asset in the kitchen of any restaurant establishment. I hope to grow my skills and versatility for the future ahead of me with the education I hope to receive. With a passion for the culinary arts and eagerness for the hospitality industry I hope to seek a career that harmonizes my love for both industries. As an aspiring young chef venturing into the world of food science and technology, I sincerely thank BCHF and its donors for selecting me for this prestigious award. Not only am I thankful for this scholarship in funding my educational goals, but for motivating me to continue my journey in the food and restaurant industry.

First of all, thank you to the BCHF for selecting me for the scholarship I promise this will be a completely worth it decision. To my sponsor I would like to thank you for being so generous and sponsoring my education for Culinary Arts. It truly means too much to me to help me in the beginning of my dream. Again, thank you so much for your generosity. I am so grateful.

It is my honor to have received your scholarship for Culinary student. I want to send a big thank to our sponsors who help us a lot. I know my Culinary journey is just beginning, and it will be a tough and long path. But with your supports and my efforts I believe I can make it a fun and interesting trip I have ever had in my life. In addition, I have just been in Canada for almost a year, therefore there are tons of things I can explore in the future. Again, thank so much and all the best wishes for you

Thank-you for awarding me with the BC WISE Scholarship! This award will help enable important research into grapevine drought tolerance and its impact on fruit and wine quality.

I am attending my grade 12 year at Delta Secondary School. I found out about this scholarship through my culinary and baking teacher Ms. Lori Pilling. I love to cook and bake. Ever since I was young, I dreamed of becoming a chef. I would constantly cook and bake at home, aspiring to create the same things that chefs and bakers did in the cooking books I read. Therefore, I decided to become a red seal chef and baker.  I recently completed the Youth in Trades program at VCC for Baking and Pastry Arts. Thank you for this scholarship. It will help further my culinary education.

Our industry has been through some rough times the past 2 years, and we have all had our own struggles. Thank you, BC Hospitality Foundation, and to all the donors for supporting people in the industry chasing their dreams. I am deeply honoured and grateful to be chosen as recipient.

I am so grateful to have received this award and given the chance to apply myself for this bursary; it will make a difference in my future culinary journey and education.

“A huge thank you to the BCHF and the sponsors of this scholarship. I’m immensely grateful for this recognition and I’m excited to continue pursuing my career in wine.”

Receiving this scholarship is like a dram coming true which will aid me in completing my goal of being part of the hospitality industry. Thank you!

Thank-you to the BC Hospitality Foundation for this recognition. I would also like to thank the Boothroyd Nation of Boston Bar for their support during my scholarly pursuits. During my studies at BCIT, I was able to apply my previous experience from working in hospitality towards this diploma. I have a love and appreciation for the hospitality industry, and plan to stay working in the industry upon completion of this program.

Wine and travel remain my two highest priorities, professionally and personally. For me, wine with food illustrates the oldest form of human togetherness: sharing a meal while being social. At the nexus of wine, food, and travel is the key to making these experiences not only pleasurable, but also profitable. When not working, I am tasting wines from lesser known regions of the world, such as Lebanon, Slovenia, Georgia, Hungary, and Moldova. My favorite wine is the one I have not yet tasted. Thank you to BC Hospitality Foundation and the sponsors for this amazing Wine Professional Scholarship! With gratitude, Mary Catherine

I’m so grateful to be in the Spirits & Hospitality industry with its strong community foundation. Receiving this scholarship is a long term blessing that I am honoured to have been chosen for. I look forward to completing my Distilling program and sharing that knowledge back into our community. Thank you very much to all those involved. The impact is great, and my gratitude is endless. Thank you to everyone involved in this wonderful blessing! Teaching about whisky has always brought me such joy. Now by once again furthering my own education, with the assistance of the Food and Beverage scholarship, I am given the opportunity to continue learning & sharing with our community!

Ever since I was 4, I was helping my mother in the kitchen, and by the time I reached the age of 7 I could cook for myself, and ever since I've been practicing my cooking, and knife skills. I enrolled in the cafeteria for one semester in high school, and that did teach me lots, but so far being in university has also taught me many new skills, and I am always practicing the skills, everyday that I can to perfect it. I want to thank you all of the sponsors for sponsoring this award, and thank you so much for selecting me, I am very grateful.

Throughout my life I have always approached all endeavors with great passion. I have always worked hard and achieved much as a result . I hold a diploma in animation , an advanced diploma in marketing and a Bachelor of business administration ; I completed all of these with excellent final marks. My love for cooking professionally, however, was always a secret passion because in Persian culture this is seen as servants work. I enjoyed learning all of my previous studies but now that I have finally made the move to become a chef in culinary world I have realized I didn't know what real joy and passion for anything me ant until now. The Culinary Arts have captured me like no subject before, driving me even harder and more fervently to learn and perfect this craft which has always been my passion . I see in it chemistry, emotion, and science . The flavours I master are colours on the canvas, to be mixed , blended and understood to please the senses. I never miss an opportunity to learn and grow, and with the financial aid offered by your scholarship, I will be able to carry my culinary skills to the next level.

I’ve been cooking at a very young age and food has always been my passion. My first job was working as an intern at Ritz Carlton Jakarta when I was 16 and I instantly fell in love with the kitchen atmosphere. As an International student in Vancouver, I am particularly excited to apply to this scholarship as this can help me a lot through my studies and in my future career. I gained several memorable experiences in Vancouver Island University. One of them is participating in the Oyster Challenge at Deep Bay Center For Seafood Innovation. In the challenge, I had to create a dish using shucked oyster and I was the runner up for it. The dish I created was “Deep Fried Oysters with Indonesian Salsa and Fragrant Rice”. Not only did I learn to use a new ingredient that I was not really familiar with but, I also got to learn the ways of preserving and harvesting oysters. Thank you BCHF for choosing me for this scholarship. I am very honoured to receive it. With this scholarship, this will definitely help me further in my career and studies.

I’m grateful of the fact that I am continuously learning and striving to create an outstanding product.  And that at each step of my journey, I’m able to share this knowledge and passion with my peers and mentor a younger generation of Canadian winemakers.  I am a firm believer in continuing education, regardless of age and experience and have applied for the Viticulture Diploma at Washington State University. Thank you for this scholarship!

Thank-you for awarding me with the BC WISE Scholarship! This award will help enable important research into grapevine drought tolerance and its impact on fruit and wine quality.

What a fantastic privilege to receive this Scholarship!  Thank you to everyone involved in BCHF, from organizers to volunteers who help make this such a supportive community.  Thank you for this opportunity which will not only help as I continue my studies, but I fully intend to pass on the experience to others as I learn!

I am overjoyed to accept a BCHF Wine Professional scholarship and am so grateful for the opportunity to continue to expand my knowledge and be part of this wonderful community! Thank you BCHF and sponsors!

As a restaurant industry veteran of over 20 years, the pandemic made me pivot in my career. After being out of school for over two decades, I made the decision to attend BCIT for Sustainable Event Management. I have been working non-stop over the last year and a half, and receiving this scholarship is such an honour! BCHF is an incredible foundation for the industry here in British Columbia. I have known a few industry people who have had help from the foundation when they have had health issues that have prevented them from working. For the next 40 days, BCHF is hosting a virtual hospitality hustle and I have signed up to hopefully pay forward some of what I have been awarded so that others can receive scholarships from the BCHF. I am so thankful for this award and excited to see where this new career path will take me in our industry.

My journey as a wine professional has its nascent roots as far back some of my earliest childhood memories with my father. My father loves wine. When hosting dinner at our home I distinctly remember him, and his guests, being totally captivated in their conversations about the wine they were enjoying. As a child I obviously did not understand what they were drinking but I certainly understood that these strange elixirs held some extraordinary powers: the power to make the calm and collected adults smile, laugh, cheers each other. I was drawn to my father’s interest in wine and soon was helping him with his hobby as a amateur winemaker. Although the wine my father made wasn’t exactly of the finest quality he took meticulous care and notes, experimenting as he could, and as young as eight years old I enthusiastically helped him fill and seal the bottles with a floor corker.

My passion for travel and tourism can be traced back in 2005, when I traveled abroad for the first time. My experience at Capilano University and Vancouver have been amazing and I can not wait to start putting into practice everything I am learning and, of course, exploring this wonderful country.

I am very excited to have been given this opportunity to receive this scholarship. It is truly an honor to be recognized for my efforts in the hospitality industry.

Thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors! I am beyond excited to further my education in this industry and your support is greatly appreciated.

This is great! Thank you! I want to thank all the sponsors and the BC Hospitality Foundation for supplying these scholarships. Also, thank you to Glowbal for all their support and encouragement over the years and to Marc Reichertz for all the wisdom.

My name is Vanessa, I am a first-year Culinary Arts Management student at Okanagan College in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. I am particularly passionate about to make people happy by creating dishes that surprise the palate and make the act of eating a meaningful and thrilling experience. I am very excited about the possibility of becoming a professional cook. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) Culinary Scholarship and to Chef’s Table Society for choosing me among so many other students as a recipient of this award. Also I want to thank Chef Reinhard Foerderer from Okanagan College, Kelowna, for his recommendation, a brilliant Chef and an excellent instructor always very polite, kind and willing to help everyone who comes to him. And I still would like to thank everyone else involved in awarding this scholarship. Thank you very much!

“ I am sincerely grateful for the assistance from BCHF sponsors to make the BC WISE Scholarship possible. I am passionate about the BC wine industry, and being able to pursue certification in Wine Business from Sonoma State University’s on-line program will help to create a more sustainable career. I am also passionate about sharing information, so will strive to mentor other women in the industry.”