Grants aid women in culinary industry
The B.C. chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier has announced that it will double scholarship dollars to be granted in 2018 for women in the culinary industry pursuing higher learning and advancement.
Over the past year, B.C. chapter members have hosted foodand-beverage-related events that raise funds to support outreach programs, including Project Chef, Growing Chefs and Tayybeh Syrian Cuisine. Significant contributions also came from B.C. culinary figures Bruno Marti and Nicky Major, and proceeds from the Dames Wine project, crafted by Mireille Sauvé.
Past scholarships have been awarded to women beginning a career, advancing or upgrading their skills in culinary fields including cuisine, horticulture, nutrition, butchery, wine, beer and coffee.
Scholarships have been awarded by Cacao-Barry’s Chocolate Academy, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, Service Excellence with Two Rivers Specialty Meats, Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver, John Bishop and All Canadian Wine Championships.
Les Dames d’Escoffier is a leadership culinary organization made up of women who have not only achieved success in their professions, but contribute significantly to their communities.
Applicants will be evaluated by professional women in the culinary field whose purpose is to promote the understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of food, wine, hospitality, nutrition, food technology, arts of the table and more.
Applications for the 2018 scholarships are being accepted until Jan. 31, and the scholarships will be awarded at a celebratory reception in the spring. For more information, go to lesdames.ca/scholarship-program.
Gift of Good Food program helps up to 150 families
As many as 150 families facing poverty will receive the gift of fresh produce throughout 2018, thanks to the Gift of Good Food program.
The initiative, in its third year, is hosted by the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group.
Throughout December, the group has been accepting donations, with a goal of raising $75,000. Grassroots efforts include more than 20 fundraising teams canvassing the community, as well as local business support.
If they attain their goal, the group will be able to supply 150 families with produce every other week for the whole year.
Partner organizations from Sooke to Saanich will nominate 10 families. Partners include community centres, transition houses, single-parent resource centres and First Nations.
The fundraising campaign closes tonight at midnight. For more information or to donate, go to thegiftofgoodfood.ca/donate. For donations after today, contact Kathryn Juricic 250-889-9695.
Salvation Army striving to reach goal
The red kettles have been put away for another season, but the Salvation Army still needs your help to reach this year’s $225,000 fundraising goal.
“The Salvation Army is truly grateful for the generosity of British Columbians and our corporate partners,” says spokesperson Patricia Mamic. “We hope that we will see strong support so that we can meet our fundraising goal. Every dollar donated helps the Salvation Army continue its vital work throughout the year.”
Canada’s first kettle was used in St. John’s, N.L., in 1906. Today, the familiar kettles and kettle workers (or bell ringers) are seen in more than 2,000 locations nationwide. Every donation to a kettle remains in the community in which it was given, in order to meet local needs.
With the funds raised, the Salvation Army feeds, clothes and shelters people, and provides programming and education to assist individuals and families find a way out of poverty permanently.
Donate online at salvationarmy.ca, fillthekettle.com or call 1-800 SAL ARMY.
Grant will benefit community kitchen
The Shelbourne Community Kitchen has just been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Epicure Foundation for its work to address food security in the community.
Each year, the foundation, which is based in Victoria, makes financial and in-kind donations to non-profit organizations across the country that support food security.
The Shelbourne Community Kitchen was one of more than 100 organizations across Canada that applied for the grant. Fifteen were short-listed to receive cookware and food products valued at up to $10,000.
The public then voted on social media to select five, which then also received a cash grant of $20,000 from the Epicure Foundation.
The other four grants were awarded to the YMCA in Kingston, Campbell River Family Services Society, Hope Blooms Youth Social Entrepreneurial Ventures, Halifax, and the Weston Frontlines Centre, Toronto.
“These grassroots organizations are creating change within their communities and working tirelessly to not only feed children and their families, but to teach them essential cooking skills,” said Epicure CEO Amelia Warren. “Learning nutrition, meal preparation and basic kitchen skills can go a long way in building confidence, and lifelong healthy eating habits. We’re so proud of the work these organizations are doing, and we are honoured to be able to contribute to these important community initiatives.”
Food insecurity affects about 13 per cent of individuals and families, including 1.15 million children, who lack stable access to adequate amounts of safe, goodquality, nutritious food.
The Shelbourne Community Kitchen is a community resource for individuals and families living on a low income, who have difficulty accessing sufficient nutritious food on a consistent basis.
The Epicure Foundation is supported by Epicure Corporation, Home Team fundraisers and Epicure consultants and customers. For more information, go to epicure.com or shelbournecommunitykitchen.ca.
Visit the Peninsula Singers at open house
The Peninsula Singers are inviting the public to their first open house, Jan. 9 at the Saanichton Bible Fellowship Church.
“If you’ve had some choral experience and would like to try us out, or join in a few songs you’d be familiar with, then the red carpet is waiting for your footprints,” said artistic director Lena Palermo. “No commitment required, just a chance to meet us and see if you’d like to join our happy group.”
The group, consisting of 55 members, will soon begin rehearsing for their spring concert series, Give Our Regards to Broadway!, an eclectic production featuring music from the Great White Way.
It includes shows currently on Broadway, such as the Tonyaward winning Come From Away. The concert series takes place April 27, 28 and 29.
“Since we moved our rehearsals to Saanichton, we invite singers from south of the Peninsula as well to join us,” said Palermo.
Light refreshments will be served.
The open house starts at 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at the church, 2159 Mount Newton Cross Rd., Saanichton. For more information, go to peninsulasingers.ca.
Youth choirs help low-income children
Thanks to receiving a Victoria Foundation Focus grant, the Viva Youth Choirs Society of Victoria can waive tuition fees for eight children from low-income families, new Canadians or refugee families, as a way to integrate children into the community through music.
The singing group, celebrating its 30th year, was previously known as Viva Choirs and is now called Viva Youth Voices. They exist to enrich the lives of singers, their families and the community.
Viva believes that music should be available to all children and that this artistic nutrition promotes health through its emotional and physical expression.
Applications will be accepted for a bursary or full funding of tuition fees from families facing financial restraints. • Youth between the ages of seven and 17 are welcome to join Viva Voices for Term 2, which starts Jan. 9.
Contact viva@vivavoices.ca to schedule an introductory interview with conductor Yuliya Myers. • Da Capo Ensemble (beginners) rehearse on Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Crescendo and Concerto (some singing experience) ensembles rehearse on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
All rehearsals take place at Grace Lutheran Church, 1273 Fort St. (across from Central Middle School).
For further information please contact Viva general manager, Diane McWilliams, at 250-6526742 or vivavoices.ca.