Vancouver, BC, Jan 21, 2025 - The Chinese Restaurant Awards is proud to once again partner with St. Paul’s Foundation for the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune Charity Gala, taking place on February 22, 2025, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. A star-studded lineup of five award-winning and emerging chefs will headline the gala, offering a memorable culinary experience to inspire philanthropy. Proceeds will support St. Paul’s Foundation’s work to drive medical innovation, improve the quality of care for patients and residents, and cultivate research breakthroughs with a global impact.

Since its inception in 2008, donors to Scotiabank Feast of Fortune have contributed more than $23.2 million, helping to fund life-saving diagnostic tools, state-of-the-art surgical equipment, and groundbreaking research across Providence Health Care’s hospitals and care sites. As a long-time partner, the Chinese Restaurant Awards is honoured to mark its 11th year of collaboration with the gala. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to shifting health care from the ordinary to extraordinary through a unified effort between the restaurant industry and St. Paul’s Foundation.

“We’re excited to partner with the Chinese Restaurant Awards for the 18th annual Scotiabank Feast of Fortune Charity Gala. This year, we are proud to raise funds that will help bring compassionate care to patients and families, support life-changing research, and underpin the future of health care at the new Jim Pattison Medical Campus,” says Sheila Biggers, President and CEO, St. Paul’s Foundation. “Donations to St. Paul’s Foundation will enable us to realize the vision of the medical campus, making possible a health ecosystem that will change lives for generations.”

Guests at the gala can expect an extraordinary culinary experience, with a menu crafted by five award winning and new wave chefs, including the Chinese Restaurant Awards’ Dim Sum Chef of the Year 2024 Lai Wei of Lanxuan Restaurant and Michelin Young Chef Award 2023 recipient Chef Warren Chow of Wildlight Kitchen + Bar. The chefs will unite to create a Chinese-inspired feast, blending traditional and contemporary flavours to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the theme of the Year of the Snake. This evening of creativity, culture, and culinary excellence will support St. Paul’s Foundation’s work to accelerate the transformation of health care across Providence and throughout BC.

Featured Chefs:

Dim Sum Head Chef Wei Lai, Lanxuan Restaurant (Chinese Restaurant Awards Dim Sum Chef of the Year 2024)
Executive Chef Warren Chow, Wildlight Kitchen and Bar (Michelin Young Chef Award 2023 recipient)
Chef de Cuisine Toby Chen, Missing Chopsticks
Culinary Director Danny Deng, Neue Catering
Chef owner Jay Yip, Petite Bao

Transform lives and create a lasting impact for generations to come. Join St. Paul’s Foundation and the award-winning and new wave chefs in supporting the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune Charity Gala on February 22, 2025.

To join the gala in person or to make a donation, please visit: https://helpstpauls.com/feast-of-fortune/
More about the participating chefs - www.chineserestaurantawards.com/Feast-of-Fortune-2025.

Supporting partners of the tasting presentation: The Dalmore, Hamadaya, Olympic Distributors, Geoduck Canada, Fresh Ideas Start Here, Hook and Herd, Two Rivers Meats, Wingtat Game Bird Packers, and Vancouver Community College

Vancouver, BC, January 21, 2025 - This spring, award-winning chef Angus An of Full House Hospitality (Maenam, Fat Mao, Sen Pad Thai, Longtail Kitchen) is bringing bold Northeastern Thai flavours to the West End with the opening of his latest eatery, Sainam. Located at 1235 Davie Street, guests will be transported to Thailand’s Isaan region by feasting on flavourful and fragrant signature dishes such as som tum (papaya salad) and gai yang (grilled chicken).

The kitchen will be helmed by head chef Poom Sikarin Sirisupanon, a native of Khon Kaen in the Isaan region. Sirisupanon is currently sous chef at sister restaurant Maenam.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of the food from the Isaan region – it’s so distinct from other parts of Thailand, with its robust flavours and rustic-styles,” explains An. “I was inspired to bring some of my favourite Isaan dishes to Vancouver, including a variety of som tum dishes and Wechanburi-style gai yang that truly showcase the heart and soul of this unique area.”

The 1,200 square foot space will feature 40 seats. An and his team are currently designing the room, reviving a space originally designed by one of his favourite architects, Scott Cohen, who previously worked with An on Gastropod and Maenam. The goal is to bring the room back to its former glory while giving it a playful and colourful energy that reflects the spirit of Isaan.

“My home in Thailand is only about 1.5 hours from Isaan. I visit the cities there often, most recently Korat, Wechanburi, and Khao Yai this past December. I can’t wait to share our love for Isaan with everyone very soon at Sainam,” adds An.

Follow Sainam’s journey online at www.sainam.ca

Toronto, ON – On April 7, 2025, RC Show will celebrate its 80th anniversary with a landmark fireside chat featuring Chef José Andrés—renowned chef, humanitarian and founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK). Presented by Restaurants Canada and High Liner Foods, Chef Andrés was chosen as the ideal embodiment of this year’s RC Show theme: FUEL Your Potential, People, Prosperity, and Passion. This milestone industry event underscores both organizations’ commitment to uniting and empowering Canada’s foodservice and hospitality community.

The fireside chat, set to take place at 3 p.m. on April 7 on the Speaker Stage at RC Show, will feature a candid and intimate conversation between Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada, and Chef Andrés. Together, the pair will explore topics surrounding the resilience of the foodservice industry and how to continue inspiring professionals to lead with purpose and thrive in an era of rapid transformation.

“The conversation with Chef José Andrés will showcase the vital role restaurants play in fostering healthy, vibrant communities,” says Kelly Higginson. “As hubs of connection, creativity, and economic growth, restaurants are the backbone of thriving neighbourhoods. We’re proud to partner with High Liner Foods to bring this global icon to the RC Show, celebrating industry resilience and inspiring foodservice professionals to lead with purpose showcasing their craft's power to nourish people and communities.”

“High Liner Foods is proud to work in concert with Restaurants Canada to bring the esteemed chef and humanitarian José Andrés to the Canadian foodservice audience at the RC Show for what is guaranteed to be an inspiring session,” said Anthony Rasetta, Chief Commercial Officer at High Liner Foods. “As a company committed to Reimagining Seafood to Nourish Life, we have a deep and sincere appreciation for Chef Andrés’ work and commitment to both culinary and social impact and know that the foodservice community will benefit greatly from his presence at the show.”

Throughout his career, Chef Andrés has redefined the roles of chefs and restaurateurs, proving that food is more than sustenance—it’s a lifeline. Through WCK, Andrés has delivered millions of meals to communities in crisis, from hurricane-ravaged regions to war-torn countries, showcasing the unparalleled power of the hospitality industry to do what it does best: deliver comfort, humanity and connection, fast. Recently awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, Chef Andrés reflected on his mission, saying, “Chefs like me feed the few, but our destiny is to feed the many. To be an army of goodness where a plate of food becomes a plate of hope…a light in dark times. Together, we can change the world through the power of food.”

An Inspirational Industry Gathering
Chef Andrés’ keynote will share highlights from his extraordinary journey—from his beginnings as a young chef in Spain to becoming a globally recognized humanitarian leader. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights on how innovation and purpose-driven leadership can transform the future of foodservice and hospitality. Key takeaways will include:

• Reconnecting with foundational industry values such as community, culture-building, and sustainability.
• Cultivating innovation within teams and operations.
• Leading with purpose to create lasting, meaningful impact in their communities.

An Evening to Remember
Following the fireside chat with Chef Andrés, the Opening Night Reception will honour RC Show’s legacy and the industry’s creativity and vitality. Guests will enjoy world-class culinary experiences, connect with peers, and toast to 80 years of excellence in Canadian foodservice.

For more information and to register to attend RC Show 2025, visit www.rcshow.com.

British Columbia – January 16, 2025: Les Dames d'Escoffier International BC Chapter (LDBC) online scholarship applications are now open until February 12^th (11:59 pm PT) to those who identify as women in BC interested in furthering their careers in the culinary, beverage, agriculture, aquaculture and other hospitality fields.

Founded in 1992, LDBC has awarded scholarships for over 30 years to support women who wish to further their careers through educational opportunities.

LDBC has up to $30,000 to award in 2025 including tuition support sponsored by the Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, Cacao Barry/Chocolate Academy, Pastry Training Centre of Vancouver, Snowcap Fund, Karen A. Davidson, the Fineza Family, and Two Rivers Specialty Meats. 

Eligibility

Scholarships are open to persons in BC who identify as women, of any age and at any stage of their career, who are looking to either refine or expand their expertise at a credible educational institution of their choice anywhere in the world.

Scholarships are awarded on merit, ability, commitment, and passion.

Applicants can be awarded a scholarship more than once, depending on the circumstance. If a woman’s previous application was unsuccessful, they are encouraged to apply again between now and February 12^th, 2025.

Scholarships Bringing it Full Circle

Christine Godlonton, Culinary Arts Program instructor at Vancouver Island University, was awarded LDBC scholarships in both 1994 and 2023 and has become one of the newest Les Dames members joining the BC Chapter in 2024.

Christine shares, “I am very grateful for the support that the BC Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier has provided me over the last 30 years as a young woman just embarking on a career path in BC’s culinary field with a ton of passion and then again as a mature woman who absolutely loves what I do. I fully believe in the work of Les Dames d’ Escoffier and am proud to now be a member to bring my experience full circle to mentor, support and inspire our next generation of women leaders.”

Important Details

• The deadline for applications is February 12^th, 2025 (11:59 pm PT).
• Applicants must be BC residents.
• Applications are available online at https://lesdames.ca/scholarship-program/apply/
• Applications are reviewed and evaluated by the Scholarship Committee comprised of Les Dames members.
• Scholarship awards rarely constitute a complete tuition, therefore scholars must be able to provide the remaining funds through other sources.
• Successful applicants will be announced in March 2025.

Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the fields of food, beverage, and hospitality.

The organization’s 2,400 members in 41 chapters in the US, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Italy provide leadership, educational opportunities, and philanthropy. LDEI chapters raised and donated more than $525,000 to community non-profits, philanthropic organizations and individuals in 2021.

To learn more about Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Chapter and its scholarship application process: www.lesdames.ca