A fabulous night was had by all at the third annual Flourish gala, held on Wednesday, March 13 at the Vancouver Community College (VCC) Broadway campus. VCC's signature "green-tie" fundraiser has quickly become a popular evening where hundreds of alumni and supporters come together for one great cause.
This year's event featured 16 culinary action stations operated by prominent local chefs, 14 Okanagan wineries, a live band, silent auction, photo booth, fashion art competition, spa treatments, and a Nespresso coffee bar. Proceeds from the Flourish gala support student scholarships and awards through the VCC Foundation. This year’s contributions will serve students in our hair design and esthetics programs.
Flourish guests enjoyed innovative tasting plates from chefs including culinary olympian Poyan Danesh of Ocean Mama Organics, Top Chef Canada finalist Mark Singson, The Great Canadian Baking Show judge and VCC instructor Bruno Feldeisen, rising star Heat Laliberte of One Arrow Meats, and many more. For VCC baking, culinary arts, and hospitality management student volunteers, this was also a coveted opportunity to work alongside some of B.C.'s biggest names in food and wine.
We were privileged to have CBC personality Fred Lee return to emcee the event, while a VCC alumni band entertained the crowd with groovy energy. Among the generous selection of silent auction items were six original illustrations by VCC fashion students, all of which had been part of an online competition in the weeks leading up to the Flourish gala. Congratulations to winner Nataly Kingsley, who claimed the $750 prize.
This year's gala also marked the beginning of a new educational partnership with Nespresso Canada and a scholarship from Hy's Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar.
In his address, VCC president and CEO Dr. Peter Nunoda shared the college's deep gratitude for the support of guests and alumni alike. “Your contributions help the students we serve," he said. "Your impact is wide-reaching and we're very proud of the excellence you all strive for.”
The VCC Foundation would like to thank the many other sponsors who contributed to the night’s success, including Loungeworks, Naramata Bench Wineries Association, Ocean Mama Organics, TD Insurance, White & Peters, Color Compass Corporation, Craftsman Collision, and The Georgia Straight.
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Want to make a difference in the life of a deserving VCC student? Learn about the many ways to give through the VCC Foundation.
