Scholarship Recipients 2018

Ceri is passionate about food and beverage and the people that create these products. She is an active member of her Victoria community and has raised many funds for farmers, food producers and food education on Vancouver Island. Her goal is to never stop learning and to be influential in igniting similar passions in others.

Raised in the Okanagan, Alix has always had an appreciation for the wine industry. From running tasting bars to hosting wine tours throughout the Okanagan, she enjoys all aspects of the industry. Alix aspires to continue her wine education with a focus in wine-making and viticulture.

Jenna joined Café Medina in 2013 where, in just two months, she became the indispensable second-in-command to owner Robbie Kane as their General Manager. Jenna will be using her scholarship to complete the VinItaly International Italian Wine Ambassador Certification Course in Verona, Italy.

Since moving to Vancouver, Jennifer has completed her WSET 3 and the Italian Wine Scholar program while putting it to practical use at Kitsilano Wine Cellar. During this time Jennifer has discovered a love of writing and is excited to learn more so she can share her passion for wine, food and travel with those around her.

Megan is in her second year of the Hospitality Managment Degree program and is thoroughly enjoying her time at Vancouver Island University. She loves travel and work with people which is why she is pursuing a career in the hospitality field. This summer Megan will be achieving a life long dream of working at Walt Disney World in Florida.

Anna has been a part of the management team at Forage restaurant in Vancouver for three years. In her free time you can find her at a farmer’s market, a Growing Chefs! classroom or “doing research” on the Vancouver restaurant scene. With the help of Les Dames, she plans to become a professional oenophile and promote what’s dear to her heart, BC wines!

Scarlet excelled in the Culinary Arts Program at VCC and was administrator for Culinary Team Canada 2005-2008. After apprenticing with Four Seasons and Fairmont, she worked at Crave Restaurant then joined Fairmont Chateau Whistler as Sous Chef through the 2010 Winter Olympics. After career stops in Boston and Toronto, she joined the faculty at VCC in 2013 and currently delivers the ACE-it Culinary Arts Program at Carson Graham Secondary in North Vancouver.

Esther is a clinical dietitian by day and server at Fable in Vancouver by night. She is passionate about all things concerning food and wine, as well as fostering good relationships around food, nutrition, and wellness. She is excited to start her WSET 2 to enhance her wine knowledge and service!

Holly will be taking her Sommelier Level 1 with her scholarship.

After a career in architecture, Erin switched to wine in 2009, now working for Liquidity Wines, and teaching wine studies at Okanagan College. She loves to travel – typically to one wine region or another, expanding her knowledge of different varietals, wine styles and terroir, usually with glass in hand.

Rebecca will be using her scholarship to attend the FAB workshop for women in the hospitatlity industry in Charleston.

Valerie is a second year Hospitality student at Vancouver Island University. She is passionate about working in the food and beverage industry. Valerie aspires to finish her Degree program at VIU and is working toward her career goal of a position in Human Resources Management. She believes a strong work culture is the key to a successful business.

Yolanda has worked in the industry for years and is forwarding her career to start her own company. She is a talented artistic cook with an eye for exciting flavours and visual appeal. She strives to learn as much as she can and loves to learn new techniques and styles.

After years of corporate life in Vancouver, Jeannette moved to the Okanagan Valley to explore freelance writing. Over the last decade she has worked in and around the BC wine industry, from tasting rooms to the crush pad and cellar floor, learning and sharing the stories within. Jeannette will use this scholarship for French Wine Scholar studies, giving her context to better understand and write more meaningfully about BC wine.

Krissy followed her passion for wine from Toronto to the Okanagan in 2011. She’s worked in the wine industry ever since. Once settled in Summerland, Krissy sought out the first WEST course she could and is very excited (and scared) to pursue the Diploma this year.

Hannah wants to combine her love of baking, artistic skills and her interpersonal strengths in a creative and fulfilling way by attending the Pastry Arts Program at SAIT. Eventually, she would like to become a culinary instructor and share her love of baking with others.

Jenna is the Chef de Cuisine at Terrafina at Hester Creek By RauDZ in Oliver. She is so grateful to Les Dames d’Escoffier, BC Chapter, and Cacao Barry for such an amazing opportunity. She is looking forward to sharing the knowledge she learns at the Chocolate Academy with her team and continuing to have fun with food.

Stephanie is an anthropologist and has been studying chocolate for nine years. She works at The Chocolate Project in Victoria and is co-founder of Uncouth Chocolate, a small bean-to-bar chocolate company in Victoria. She will be attending the FCCI’s Cacao Grader Intensive with the scholarship from Les Dames d’Escoffier.

Jackie is the wine club and events manager at Fort Berens Estate Winery in Lillooet. She has over 10 years of experience in events and hospitality and has always had a love and appreciation for wine. Now working in the wine industry, she finds that the more she learns about wine, the more she wants to know. Jackie will be taking the Sommelier 1 course in Vancouver this spring.

Madison is a grape farmer living in Naramata. She is inspired by those around her making wine that pays homage to the vineyard and believes in a future that includes cherishing land as a priority in grape growing. Madison will continue to take a biodynamic farming course with the Biodynamic Association in hopes to farm more responsibly and help educate her community.

Barb is the “Good Wine Gal”. Her goal is to inspire you to love wine as much as she does. She dreams of creating a business that helps connect people with wine through education, tastings and travel. Most days, you can find her in the wine department at Legacy Liquor Store.