Food lovers take note - VIU hosts culinary event Oct. 17

Distinguished alumni from Vancouver Island University's Culinary Arts program will showcase their culinary talents at a unique fundraising event at the Nanaimo campus October 17.

The Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island and the VIU Alumni Relations Office are co-hosting a stand-up reception and silent auction to raise funds to support student scholarships and VIU Culinary Arts graduate David Wong, who will represent Canada at the internationally renowned Bocuse d’Or  World Cuisine Competition in Lyon, France in 2009.

“I think this is the most exciting event we've hosted to date," said Chef Debbie Shore, Chair of the Culinary Institute. "We’ll have distinguished alumni and student chefs preparing fabulous tasters at 12 different stations. It's heart-warming how these culinary alumni are so talented and willing to support David and up-and-coming student chefs. Nanaimo has many talented chefs out in the world and some are returning to cook for us at this event." 

VIU alumni scheduled to take part include Wong himself;  Iain Rennie, Executive Chef, Westin Bear Mountain; Sean Riley, Global Group of Restaurants such as Sanafir and Italian Kitchen in Vancouver; Erin and Brenda English,  a mother daughter team; Chef Bill Clay, owner operator of  Bodhi Bakery Nanaimo;  Ben Descoteau, a chef on a private yacht; Rich Atkins, Chef the Longwood Brew Pub; Taj Parmar who apprenticed at Fairmont Banff and is now Chef at the Acme Restaurant in Nanaimo, to name a few.

“We’re absolutely thrilled that one of our own graduates, Chef David Wong, is the Canadian contender in the Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Competition,” said Shore.“The Bocuse d’Or is the most prestigious and challenging hot competition in the world. The very best chefs from 24 countries will convene in Lyon, France with the dream of capturing the gold trophy. Chef Wong has been working since 1998 to perfect his cooking technique.”

Wong graduated from VIU’s Culinary Arts program 15 years ago. “He was one of my first students,” said Shore. “I’m really excited and proud of what he’s achieved.”

Born and raised in Nanaimo where his parents operated a grocery store, Wong had a keen interest in food but pursued a career in social work instead. He completed a Bachelor of Social Work Degree and worked as a counselor for children in government care.

During a holiday in Europe, Wong was inspired to pursue his passion. He returned to school and completed the Food and Beverage Management program at Vancouver Community College and then the Culinary Arts Program at VIU.Under the tutelage of his instructors, he entered his first Culinary Salon and won a gold medal. Other successful competitions soon followed. In 2005, Wong was appointed to Culinary Team Canada which won Gold in Le Salon Culinaire Mondial held in Basel, Switzerland.

He also won the 2001 Canadian National Apprentice Competition and in 2006 was recognized by Fairmont Hotels as the Company Leader of the Year. That same year in Gatineau, Quebec, he fulfilled his dream of winning the right to represent Canada in the 2009 Bocuse d'Or.

Wong began his apprenticeship at Vancouver’s Creek restaurant under renowned Executive Chef Robert Allen Sulatycky. It was there that he was exposed to the demands of the Bocuse d’Or.

To complete his apprenticeship, he went to work for Chef Morgan Wilson, another Canadian Bocuse d'Or competitor, at the Delta Pinnacle Hotel, Vancouver. Later he was recruited by Fairmont hotels and worked  his way up to Executive Sous Chef at The Fairmont Vancouver Airport before transferring to Edmonton’s Fairmont Hotel Macdonald as the Executive Chef. Wong is currently a full-time chef instructor at the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Vancouver.

Tickets for the stand-up reception fundraiser are $45 each. The event, including the reception and silent auction, will be held from 6 to 9 pm October 17 in the main cafeteria, Building 300 at Vancouver Island University, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo. Items for the silent auction include travel and accomodation at five star hotels and resorts throughout the Vancouver Island and the lower mainland.

To book your tickets, call the VIU Alumni Relations office at (250) 740-6215 orJosephine Chong at (250) 740-6289.