The festive season is here and many of us are experiencing a hectic scramble with the challenges of the busy holidays. After the last turkey is sliced and last Brussels sprout is plated we can hang up our aprons, kick back and enjoy a special time with our family and friends. Not all of us will be at home on the big day. Some of us will be working preparing Christmas dinners for appreciative diners. We encourage a holiday toast and cheerful thought for those individuals.

As well as enjoying great food and refreshment, it is an important time to spend with family and friends. We are blessed to have careers in the hospitality industry. I have often stated “We are always warm and dry and we are always well fed”. Unfortunately this is not the case for everyone. edmontonCHEFS.ca recognizes the importance of integrating with the community and continues working with charitable organizations and the Edmonton Foodbank. As the holidays are a time of reflection, we give thanks for our success and accomplishments during the past year. The dedication and dynamics of our team has been outstanding with many goals achieved – thanks to all involved.

As an organization of professional culinarians, we realize that it is important not only to feed the body, but to also feed the spirit of the less fortunate. I encourage all to “pay it forward” with small acts of kindness and sincerity that are the very best gifts we can offer.

I wish everybody a wonderful Christmas and look forward to an exciting New Year.

Cheers,

Stanley