Memorial fund helps culinary students

Before his death in a crash near Irricana in August, Calgary chef Jonathan Sobol was known for giving back to the community.

That legacy will carry on, after Sobol’s parents, Bob and Gina, joined forces with SAIT — where their son earned his journeyman’s certification in the school’s culinary program — to create an endowment in his name.

The Chef Jonathan Sobol Memorial Award, which officials said will be available next fall, will provide financial assistance to students in SAIT’s Professional Cooking or Cook Apprentice programs who share a passion for mentoring youth through culinary education.

Brian Bowman, SAIT’s director of alumni and development, said the endowment fund, which will see Sobol’s parents match all gifts up to $50,000 in hopes of reaching $100,000, aims to ensure the influential chef will continue to help young chefs get their start.

“Out of tragedy, sometimes good things can happen,” he said.

“It’s a lovely way of paying tribute to an amazing young man.”

Bowman said the endowment fund uses interest generated annually to fund the financial awards, ensuring it continues in perpetuity.

Sobol, 33, was killed Aug. 30 along with cinematographer Alec Bracegirdle, 20, in a head-on crash while en route to film a local agricultural producer. The other driver was fined $233 for passing unsafely, but wasn’t found guilty of any criminal offence.

The executive chef at Seton’s Starbelly restaurant was known for supporting local farms, and inspiring people to connect to the food they eat by learning where it comes from.

He also worked closely with kids, volunteering at Haysboro elementary school to help students build a community garden.

The school is now accepting donations to support the endowment fund.