March 5, 2025 VCC Foundations’s Flourish, A Fusion of Food, Wine and Fundraising with a Star-Studded Culinary Lineup
The Vancouver Community College (VCC) Foundation is proud to announce the return of Flourish, its signature fundraising event, taking place on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the VCC Broadway campus (1120 E. 7th Ave). This annual event celebrates food, wine, and philanthropy, bringing together alumni chefs, industry leaders, and the community to raise funds for student scholarships.
We’ll be there with Sea Cider!
“VCC is an institution committed to excellence in education and industry leadership, and its renowned culinary program is celebrated nationwide. We are thrilled to host Flourish again to highlight alumni talent and raise funds for student scholarships,” says Moira Gookstetter, executive director, VCC Foundation. “This event is an opportunity to support the next generation of chefs, hospitality professionals, and tradespeople who will go on to shape our community.”
Tickets start from $175 and are available online now. This year, Flourish will feature 13 gourmet food sampling stations, including a great line-up of VCC alumni chefs and VCC’s team of distinguished chef instructors, such as:
Warren Chow, executive chef, Wildlight Kitchen + Bar; 2023 MICHELIN Guide Vancouver Young Chef Award Winner
Starri Chow, executive chef of Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel since 2010
Shahni Arshad, culinary director, Supper Club YVR
Tret Jordan, culinary director, Truffles Fine Foods
Edison Antejos, Showcase Restaurant at Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel
Kishore Rangan, Culinary Director Sodexo Live! and Vancouver Convention Centre
Hamid Salimian, VCC Culinary Arts instructor since 2013; VCC’s Chef’s Table
Tobias MacDonald, VCC Culinary Arts instructor since 2012; Certified Master Chef
Montgomery Lau, VCC Culinary Arts instructor; former executive chef of Bacchus
Karen Gin, VCC Culinary Arts instructor since 2012
Sonny Ho, department head, VCC Asian Culinary Arts
Leanne Bentley & Esther Kosa, instructors, VCC Baking & Pastry Arts
Bill Chan & Stacy Bestard, instructors, Employment Access & Skills Development
Ronnie Nugent, instructor, VCC Culinary Arts
Each chef will be assisted by VCC students from culinary and hospitality programs, allowing them to further their education experience. VCC is known as Western Canada’s largest culinary school. In addition to tasting exclusive dishes, guests will also have the chance to sip wines from BC’s Naramata Bench Winery Association and ciders from Vancouver Island’s Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse.
During the evening, guests will enjoy a variety of activations highlighting VCC’s diverse programs, including:
- A look at automotive technology through the Driver Simulator with Auto Service Technology;
- experience the art of collision repair with Auto Collision and Refinishing’s state-of-the-art Automotive Refinishing VR Simulator;
- and explore and shop VCC’s Design Marketplace by students in the Digital Graphic Design, Fashion, and Jewellery Art & Design programs.
Flourish has again tapped Man About Town Fred Lee to emcee the event.
“Our alumni, students, staff, and instructors truly put on an unforgettable event with Flourish. We look forward to welcoming guests to experience an evening of food, entertainment, philanthropy, and most important of all, community,” adds Gookstetter.
Flourish is made possible through the generous support of sponsors and community partners, including RBC, Bird Construction, PCI Developments, and Low Tide Properties.
Flourish
Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Time: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: VCC Broadway campus (1120 E. 7th Ave)
Tickets: from $175 (group purchasing discount available); online link
