SCHOLARSHIPS 2021
Janice Acio
Janice Acio is a Lab technician at the BC Beverage Technology Access Centre in Kelowna. Janice had one of her papers published in the American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Her scholarship is towards a Winemaking Certificate at University of California, Davis.
Laura Carbonell
Laura Carbonell, who is the Distiller at Wayward Distillery in Courtenay BC is using her scholarship towards a distilling course at Institute of Brewing & Distilling. Laura celebrates and supports farmers on Vancouver Island and plans to set-up a research program at Wayward Distillery.
Karen J Carruthers
Karen J Carruthers is a high school Teaching Kitchen Chef Assistant in Maple Ridge.
Her scholarship helped fund a Bachelor of Education at the University of British Columbia. Karen has a Red Seal in Culinary Arts from VCC. She looks forward to receiving certification as a Chef Educator.
Van Doren Chan
Van Doren Chan is co-owner of Ugly Dumpling in Vancouver. Van Doren was the Les Dames d’Escoffier International Legacy Award Recipient for 2015, and is a Certified Sommelier & French Wine Scholar. Her scholarship is towards a University of California Davis, Wine Chemistry Course.
Alexia David
Alexia David is Lead Bartender at The Mackenzie Room in Vancouver. Alexia leads the next generation of bartenders in British Columbia by using her scholarship towards Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers of BC’s ‘Professional Sommelier Diploma Program’.
Kate Francois
Kate Francois is a Hospitality Marketing Manager for Onni Group, Vancouver. Her scholarship helped fund a Hospitality Digital Marketing Course with the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association. Kate worked as a Public Relations Manager for Fairmont Vancouver Airport before joining the Onni Group.
Leah S Hayward
Leah S Hayward is a pastry student in Nanaimo. Her scholarship helped fund a Professional Baking & Pastry Arts program at Vancouver Island University. Leah holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies and aspires to open a Scandinavian bakery café.
Eunae Heo
Eunae Heo is a student from Victoria. Her scholarship helped fund a Professional Cook, Workplace Level 3 program at Camosun College.
Eden Hollick
Eden Hollick works the front of house at Vij’s Inspired Indian in Vancouver. Her scholarship helped fund a Professional Chocolate Diploma at the Pastry Training Centre of Vancouver. Eden has worked in the hospitality industry over 30 years and aspires to own a business in the pastry industry.
Naomi Johns
Naomi Johns is a Technical Sales Rep at Snow Cap Enterprises in North Vancouver. Her scholarship helped fund a Business Management Essentials Certificate at Cornell University. Naomi is a mother and Red Seal Baker who pivoted to sales to better balance work and family life.
Aline Kiyomi Kodama
Aline Kiyomi Kodama is a server and Supervisor at Forage in Vancouver. Aline aspires to become a teacher to support other women in the hospitality industry. She has been awarded a scholarship at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2.
Olivia Landers
Olivia Landers is a student and baker at Kingfishers Bar & Grill in Maple Ridge. Her scholarship helped fund a Baking & Pastry Arts Diploma at Vancouver Community College. Olivia hopes to one day open a bakery alongside her aunt featuring traditional family recipes.
Rocio Lazaro Lopez
Rocio Lazaro Lopez is the Head Chocolatier at Mink Chocolates in Vancouver. Her scholarship helped fund a chocolate program at Melissa Coppel Chocolate and Pastry School. Born in Oaxaca, Rocio aspires to share her country’s proud heritage by opening a fair trade chocolate shop using cacao from farms throughout Mexico.
Rachel Mak
Rachel Mak is a culinary student in Vancouver. Her scholarship helped fund a Professional Cook 2 program at Vancouver Community College. Rachel aspires to open a cafe someday.
Jessica Mann
Jessica Mann is Teaching Chef at Carihi Secondary School in Campbell River. Her scholarship helped fund a Master of Education, Home Economics and Human Ecology and Everyday Life at the University of British Columbia. Jessica holds a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management and has her teaching certification.
Brianna McKeage
Brianna McKeage is the Assistant Winemaker at Dirty Laundry Winery in Summerland. Her scholarship is going towards a Winemaking Certificate from University of California Davis. Brianna looks forward to pursuing her Masters of Science in Environmental Practice to further help plan, protect, and steward BC terroir.
Melanie McNeilage
Melanie McNeilage is a hospitality student in Nanaimo. Her scholarship helped fund a Bachelor Degree in Hospitality Management at Vancouver Island University. Originally from Zimbabwe, Melanie received her culinary training from Cordon Bleus, Silwood Kitchen, South Africa.
Fiona Morrow
Fiona Morrow is the Editor of Montecristo Magazine Vancouver. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, The London Times, The Independent, The Globe and Mail, Vancouver Magazine, and BC Business to name a few. Her scholarship will assist in her studies at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2.
Kelly-Marie Rampersad
Kelly-Marie Rampersad is a hospitality student in New Westminster. Her scholarship helped fund a Hospitality Bachelor at Vancouver Community College. Kelly received a Culinary Diploma from VIU and participated in field trip to Belgium and France, which included a workshop at Le Cordon Bleu, Paris.
Nicole Reis
Nicole Reis is a chef at Douce Diner in North Vancouver. Her scholarship helped fund a Pastry and Baking Program at the Pastry Training Centre of Vancouver. Nicole aspires to be an Executive Chef.
Ricci Leigh Segal
Ricci Leigh Segal is the Chef/Owner of The Perfect Bite Catering Company in Vancouver. Her scholarship helped fund a Professional Artisan Bread Baking program at the Pastry Training Centre of Vancouver. A former instructor assistant at VCC, Ricci was a support member with Culinary Team Canada for 5 years.
Dominique St. Jean
Dominique St. Jean is a student and entrepreneur from Vancouver. Her scholarship helped fund a Small Business & Entrepreneurship Program at Langara College. Dominique launched a fermentation business, Scratch Fine Foods, and aspires to publish a book on fermentation.
Nikita Billy Stswecem’c Xgat’tem
Nikita Billy, Stswecem’c Xgat’tem, is a cook at Quaaout Lodge, Talking Rock Resort, in Chase. Her scholarship helped fund a Baking and Pastry Arts program at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Nikita strives to learn as much as she can within the industry she loves.
Hannah Svecla
Hannah Svecla is a student from Vancouver. Her scholarship helped fund a Baking and Pastry Arts Program at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. Hannah aspires to be a pastry chef and open a pastry shop one day.
Jasmine Thoo
Jasmine Thoo is a culinary student in Vancouver. Her scholarship helped fund a Professional Culinary Arts Diploma at Northwest Culinary Academy. Jasmine aspires to own a sustainable food business.
Jennifer Tocher
Jennifer Tocher is Hospitality Manager at Spearhead Winery in Kelowna. She is studying the Wine Scholar Guild’s ‘French Wine Scholar’ with her scholarship. Jennifer has worked for some well-known BC wineries including; Quails Gate, Cedar Creek, and Painted Rock Winery.
Abby Wiseman
Abby Wiseman is the creator and podcaster for ‘Small Batch Vancouver’. Abby writes about and celebrates Vancouver’s vibrant food and beverage scene. Her scholarship towards Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2 will come in handy!
Megan York
Megan York is a sous chef at the Brie & Barrel Bistro in Port Alberni. Her scholarship helped fund a Professional Cook Level 3 course at Vancouver Island University. Megan spearheaded a freezer meal program at work and helped serve 1,000 Christmas meals at the Salvation Army in 2020.