Articles tagged "Food, Wine & Tourism"
TogetHER brings business leaders together to drive innovation across the Okanagan
February 9, 2026
Okanagan College and WeBC are launching TogetHER, a new leadership and growth initiative designed to bring self-identifying women business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs together to strengthen innovation and collaboration across the Okanagan.“Okanagan College is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for women in every part of our economy — from skilled trades to innovation and enterprise,” said Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship at Okanagan College, Caitlin Hartigan. “TogetHER creates space for women-led b...
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Okanagan College planning for new restaurant and café in Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism
January 16, 2026
With construction of the Okanagan College Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism progressing on-budget and on-schedule, planning is underway for an exciting new student-led restaurant and café that will open inside the Kelowna facility in Fall 2027.Okanagan College is working with Ned Bell, a prominent B.C. chef and advocate for sustainable food systems, to create a new vision and implementation plan for an eatery on the Kelowna campus that will be open to students and the public.Culinary students will participate in restaurant operation...
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Okanagan College School of Business leaders join provincial and regional tourism boards
December 16, 2025
Okanagan College is poised to be well-represented in the tourism sector next year, with two leaders from its School of Business having joined the Boards of Directors of regional and provincial tourism associations.OC’s Dean of the School of Business, Joe Baker, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) while Associate Dean, Dr. Aggie Weighill has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA).“Participation on these boards ...
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Okanagan College partners with WeBC to empower women entrepreneurs in the beverage and construction industries
January 30, 2025
Okanagan College (OC), OC’s BC BTAC (BC Beverage Technology Access Centre) and WeBC (Women’s Enterprise Centre) know that when women entrepreneurs come together, their collective strength and innovation can transform industries.Recognizing this, the organizations have partnered to launch two new peer mentorship programs designed to empower women in the beverage and construction sectors as part of the Growing Women Entrepreneurs project. This initiative aims to increase opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the beve...
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Kelowna invited to apply for international designation as Canada’s first ‘City of Gastronomy’
January 15, 2025
Kelowna’s outstanding food and beverage culture and vibrant culinary scene could soon be part of a network of cities around the world celebrated for creativity and innovation.The City of Kelowna, in partnership with Tourism Kelowna and Okanagan College, has accepted an invitation to apply for designation as Canada’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy, a prestigious title that celebrates a city’s culinary heritage, food culture, and commitment to sustainable development. “Kelowna’s culinary scene is a testament to the passion...
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Okanagan College partners with regional, provincial and national tourism organizations
November 22, 2024
Living and working in the Okanagan-Shuswap has its advantages, most notably a four-season playground featuring world-class tourism operations, wineries, craft breweries and incredible restaurants, along with abundant fruit and vegetables.Okanagan College (OC) is building on its relationships with industry partners in the food, beverage and tourism sectors to enhance its programming, signing strategic partnership agreements with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), and Tour...
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Construction underway for new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism
June 24, 2024
Construction will begin this summer on the new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism on Okanagan College's Kelowna campus, which will support B.C.͛s tourism sector and help train people for in-demand jobs"B.C. is expecting 91,000 new job openings in tourism- and hospitality-related industries over the next decade, and the majority of these jobs will require some form post-secondary education or skills training." said Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. ͞This centre will equip students with the knowledge a...
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Set yourself apart in the tourism industry: benefits of our program
April 24, 2024
Choosing the right career path can be difficult, especially in today’s turbulent job market. With so many options, you may find it challenging to decide what you want to do and how to cultivate the necessary skills. The hospitality and tourism industry is one field that continues to grow, offering promising opportunities to dedicated individuals.If you're committed to making your mark in the tourism industry, building a solid foundation and learning unique skills are crucia...
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OC Cultivates event fosters local food, wine and tourism businesses
November 21, 2023
New event series kick-off hosts panel of local experts, facilitated by CBC’s Sarah Penton.You’ve heard of the iconic Okanagan Champagne powder or our four-season playgrounds, but did you know the Okanagan is also leading the way in innovation in food and beverage and tourism?A new Okanagan College event series, OC Cultivates, aims to celebrate and explore Okanagan’s unique and exciting food, beverage and tourism industries with a kick-off event featuring local experts and a panel discussion hosted by CBC Radio West host, Sarah Pento...
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TOTA award remembers George Hanson, supports OC viticulture student
November 8, 2021
Winemaker George Hanson, who passed away in February, was widely acknowledged for his efforts to grow the B.C. wine scene. A new award funded by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) will commemorate his legacy, while helping a viticulture student at Okanagan College to cultivate their future in the industry Hanson so dearly loved. TOTA has donated $1,500 to create the George Hanson Memorial Bursary, which will be open to students in the College’s Viticulture Certificate program starting in January. “We are very please...
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OC student wins completion grant as part of inaugural Tourism Management Diploma program
October 14, 2021
For one Okanagan College student, embracing Tourism Management Diploma (TMD) studies at the Revelstoke Centre has truly paid off. Stephanie Sonsona has been named the recipient of the Revelstoke Accommodation Association’s completion grant for 2021, receiving $1,000 to support her education. She first began exploring post-secondary study options while in her home country of the Philippines, and was introduced to the TMD program through Okanagan College’s International Education department. She was drawn to the new tourism-focused...
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Okanagan College hosts virtual info session on Tourism Management diploma program
May 25, 2020
Set at the foot of the picturesque Columbia Mountains and home to a growing array of four-season tourism operators and activities, where better to advance your career in the tourism industry than Revelstoke? On May 27, prospective students can attend a virtual information session to learn more about Okanagan College’s Tourism Management diploma. The program, which debuted last year, is set for a September start at the College’s Revelstoke Centre and combines hands-on learning in the tourism sector with applied business courses. ...
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Chefs’ Table Society sets up Harry McWatters Scholarship Fund
February 13, 2020
A Canadian wine icon is honoured — scholarship will fund deserving students for overseas studies When Canadian wine icon Harry McWatters passed suddenly last summer, the sense of loss that so many felt went well beyond his extensive personal relationships. At McWatters’ service in Penticton, many of the 1,500 in attendance wondered just who might fill the void in the British Columbia wine industry which he helped invent, then cultivated for more than 40 years. “Harry’s mentorship is rightly legendary,” says Jonathan Rouse, Associ...
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OC Culinary Arts debuts Indigenous-inspired feature menu for Dine Around
January 8, 2020
Infusions Restaurant at Okanagan College will once again be a can’t miss stop for anyone looking to sip, savour and save as part of Dine Around Thompson Okanagan this month. OC Chefs-in-training and chef instructors have designed a menu that not only showcases Okanagan ingredients but also incorporates aspects of traditional Syilx-Okanagan culinary knowledge and practices. “This year we’ve added a selection of Indigenous fare, along with other daily features, to provide a culinary experience that is truly unique to the region,” e...
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Students savour traditional flavours and practices on Indigenous Culinary Arts field trip
June 26, 2019
Salmon fillets roast on stakes over an open fire while roe bubbles up in a steaming pot of vegetable and fish soup nearby. These are signs of a finished and ready-to-eat meal, yet indicate the start of something special cooking here at Okanagan College. On a field trip to the Westbank First Nation in May, OC’s Indigenous Culinary Arts class had the opportunity to learn about the traditional Okanagan-Syilx style of cooking in a hands-on experience, hosted by Elders Pamela and Grouse Barnes. The gastronomic outing contained a variety...
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