A culinary adventure awaits you on Vancouver Island

Malaspina University-College wants to whet your appetite with a unique new course that combines a Vancouver Island vacation with professional gourmet cooking classes.

A West Coast Feast - Regional Cuisine & Island Adventures is being offered through Malaspina's Centre for Continuing Studies in Nanaimo, B.C. from July 5 to 9.

"The course allows participants to combine a Vancouver Island vacation with a gourmet culinary adventure," said Glynis Steen of Malaspina's Centre for Continuing Studies.  

Participants will be taught how to prepare gourmet West Coast cuisine by internationally renowned award-winning chefs at Malaspina University-College, and take part in daily guided excursions to popular local tourist destinations.

"We’ve included a wide variety of guided activities on Vancouver Island, sure to interest first-time and seasoned travelers alike."

Vacation activities over the five days include a harbour boat tour in B.C. coastal waters to see marine life and breathtaking scenery, a visit to an old growth forest at Cathedral Grove, a horse and carriage tour of Chemainus - home of the world famous murals, shopping at the world famous Coombs Market where goats live on the roof and island treasures abound, a Chef’s wine tour with gourmet lunch, a walking tour of Nanaimo’s beautiful waterfront seawall, and a chance to discover First Nations heritage with a guided walking tour of Duncan, the City of Totems. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Each afternoon, participants will roll up their sleeves for a daily hands-on cooking class lead by a gourmet chef in a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen at Malaspina University-College's Nanaimo campus.

“You will learn how to prepare West Coast cuisine like a professional chef,” said Chef Alex Rennie, Coordinator of the world renowned Culinary Arts and Professional Baking Program at Malaspina.  “You’ll even look the part with your own personalized chef’s jacket.”

In the evening, participants will “feast on the fruits of their labour” after each cooking session, added Rennie.  “You will sit down, relax and enjoy an epicurean meal paired with wines from local Vancouver Island wineries. This finest of West Coast culinary experiences will cap off your island adventure.”

Malaspina’s award-winning faculty are internationally renowned chefs who have represented Canada and won many awards. Chef Michael Pelletier will head the summer-time culinary adventure. His vast knowledge and culinary expertise was honed as an Executive Sous Chef at the Waterfront Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver, at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, and at other major hotels over the past 20 years. Pelletier competed in the World Culinary Olympics in Germany, at the World Culinary competition in Singapore, and at the American Culinary Classic in Chicago.

The cost of the program ($1,495 per person including GST) includes all guided activities over the five days, gourmet cooking classes, wines, four dinners and one lunch and your own personalized chef’s jacket.

Participants have the option of staying at the Coast Bastion Inn, a local four star hotel overlooking Nanaimo’s beautiful waterfront.  The special daily rate of $99 plus taxes includes a full gourmet breakfast and is based on single or double occupancy. The rate is valid from July 4 to 9, but bookings must be made by June 4. Call 1-800-663-1144 for reservations.

The registration and refund deadline for A West Coast Feast is June 4. Call toll free 1-866-734-6252 or 1-866-REG-MALA to register or further information.

Due to the pre-selection of recipes and early ordering of food supplies for the course menus, A West Coast Feast is not able to accommodate people with food allergies. Malaspina reserves the right to cancel the program 30 days prior to the starting date of the course due to insufficient registration. Please take this into account when booking travel arrangements.

For more information about Malaspina University-College's one year Culinary Arts Program and 10-month professional Baking Program, check out the website www.viu.ca/culinary and www.viu.ca/baking.