OCNews

Learning never tasted so good as Okanagan College’s celebrated event series, OC Cultivates, returns on May 7, inviting the community to campus to experience and learn about our local gastronomy and hospitality. 

This immersive event will highlight small family producers and businesses that play a vital role in shaping the Okanagan’s distinct food, wine and tourism culture.  

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for networking and interactive displays from Okanagan Science Centre, BC Beverage Technology Access Centre and the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship. 

Animate Kelowna, a community-powered project creating an animated short film, will also have a special pop-up at the event. The animation will be hand-coloured by Kelowna residents and brought to life one frame at a time over the next few months.

The event kicks off at 6 p.m., with an update from the Kelowna City of Gastronomy Advisory team, co-chaired by Mayor Tom Dyas and OC President Dr. Neil Fassina.This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring small, family-run wine producers who will share the triumphs and challenges of building sustainable businesses in the Okanagan. The moderated discussion will include an opportunity for audience questions.

"OC Cultivates is more than just a tasting event; it’s a bridge between our students, local industry leaders, and the community," said Joe Baker, Dean of the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship. "It’s a chance to celebrate the recent UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation while looking forward to the future of hospitality and tourism in our valley." 

Wrapping up the evening is the Tasting Festival, where attendees can mingle over tastes from local restaurants and innovative beverage producers. Some of the tasting partners include Black Hills Estate Winery, Chilango Modern Mexican, Grey Monk Estate Winery, Hillside Winery, Humo Kelowna, Niche Winery Co., Quails' Gate Winery and Old Vines Restaurant, Red Rooster Winery, Sandhill Wines, Relvas Catering, Tantalus Vineyards, Three Lakes Brewing, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Upper Bench Winery, Winemates & More, and OC’s Culinary students. 

Tasting Festival guests will also be able to see construction on the new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism, which is well underway. The building is scheduled to open in 2027.  

Tickets for the May 7 event are available here. 

Okanagan College features several programs designed to support the food, beverage and tourism industries, helping to create the workforce of the future. This includes OC’s Tourism and Hospitality Management and recently launched Entrepreneurship specialty that are both part of the College’s popular BBA degree program, viticulture, wine sales and winery assistant certificate programs, as well as the ongoing Hospitality Professional Program.