President’s Message
Welcome to our new webpage and our new brand – edmontonCHEFS.ca. We have seen some exciting transitions in the past year. Board members adjusted their busy schedules and gathered at a series of retreats to brainstorm on future strategies. Our conclusions were to enhance our image and create greater inclusivity of a community of engaged novice and professional chefs. Our main objectives include community engagement, professional opportunity, education and competition. Some of our achievements include:
- Continued the tradition of giving back to the community by feeding the less fortunate. On International Chef’s Day (October 20) this year, board members and volunteers fed over 300 appreciative elementary students at the Ben Calf Robe School.
- Throughout the year we hosted workshops ranging from Chocolate to Charcuterie; hands on experiences enhancing professional skills.
- We are restructuring our dinner meetings to more of a reception style to encourage camaraderie with our peers and colleagues.
- Our Edmonton branch facilitates an annual High School Culinary Challenge with over 350 students participating to date. Fourteen fully-sponsored apprenticeships have been awarded with many recipients receiving Journeyman status.
- Continued to promote Professional Certification with Certified Chef De Cuisine program
- Plans are in place to host a Culinary Salon in spring 2016. This hot and cold culinary show will be a venue for Edmonton’s chefs to showcase their talents.
- We are also blessed to have one of the largest Junior memberships in Canada. Junior members are active in culinary tours, restaurant crawls, culinary slams, scholarships, exchanges and
- community events.
We encourage your participation. If you are a former member, new to town or want to be a part of a vibrant professional organization – check us out. Membership includes access to all the noted activities; however you are welcome to attend workshops or our branch meetings (nominal charge). We look forward to welcoming you aboard!
Stanley W.B. Townsend
President, edmontonCHEFS.ca
