Culinary Arts student dinner delights

OC’s Culinary Arts students and chef instructors dazzled diners yet again with the fourth installment of their student dinner series.

The July 23 Student Dinner saw more than 40 guests enjoy an Okanagan-inspired gourmet meal on the patio of Infusions, prepared by OC students and led by Instructor Jim Armstrong. The dinner was held in collaboration with award-winning Vanessa Vineyards and saw acclaimed winemaker Howard Soon – also a long-time instructor of OC wine programming – on hand to talk about the winery’s latest vintages.

Soon was honoured this past month by the Wine Growers of Canada during their annual Canadian Wine Industry Awards. He received the Karl Kaiser Canadian Winemaker Award. That trophy is presented to an individual who has exemplified leadership in winemaking, has exhibited mentorship with fellow winemakers and others in the industry and has invested both time and energy towards winemaking excellence.

Okanagan College former president Jim Hamilton was among the guests and gave it the high praise of being one of the finest meals he’d ever had in the valley.

“In addition to delighting all the diners who get to enjoy their creations, the series has provided an important training opportunity for students,” explains Culinary Arts Manager Cari Jahns.

“With Infusions Restaurant closed for in-person dining, these dinners have given students the real-world service experience needed as part of their program – yet another way OC has adapted during the pandemic. The students truly outdid themselves once again with this latest dinner.”