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In Photos: Vancouver Community College’s Flourish Fundraising Gala

By Joshua McVeity /

VCC students, faculty and alumni (Clement Chan! Scott Jaeger! Tret Jordan!) joined forces this past weekend to raise money for bursaries, scholarships and training material.

Pear Tree’s Scott Jaeger, Torafuku’s Clement Chan and Homer Street Cafe’s Tret Jordan returned to their alma mater for its inaugural gala fundraiser to provide bursaries, scholarships and training materials for current and future Vancouver Community College students. Guests were treated to an experiential evening showcasing the culinary talents of VCC students, faculty members and alumni, paired with award-winning wines from the Naramata Bench.

Vancouver Community College president Peter Nunoda and foundation executive director Nancy Nesbitt welcomed guests to their inaugural fundraising gala.

Jeremy Jacob and Andrea Dobbs took in the food and wine grazing in support of student bursaries, scholarships and training materials.

In the Year of the Rooster, Atticia Grondin poured wines from Red Rooster Winery on the Naramata Bench.

Celebrated chef Angus An joined VCC’s culinary students for a special night.

Trancontinental Vancouver’s James Grady and his wife Susannah enjoyed culinary delights from 16 chefs who showcased their talents at VCC’s Broadway campus.

Shirley Lew (Dean, Library, Teaching and Learning Services) and David Wells (Dean, Arts and Sciences) were among faculty that attended the college’s inaugural fundraising gala. 

Jason Yamasaki, sommelier at Joey Restaurant Group, and Perseus Winery‘s Lindsay Richardson raised a glass to VCC’s culinary students, staff and faculty for a memorable night. 

VCC instructor (and VanMag‘s 2016 Mentorship Award winner) Hamid Salimian helped students Siyuan Peng and Ranran Zhang showcase their culinary talents at the food and wine grazer.

Gordon Fine Foods‘ Richelle Akimow and Whitney Nordan sponsored VCC’s Flourish foodie fête. 

The Pear Tree‘s Scott Jaeger and Homer Street Cafe‘s Tret Jordan are among VCC’s illustrious alumni. 

Stephanie Hay, Alex Zgaljic, and Karie Holst modelled dresses from aspiring VCC design students.

VCC design students Rebecca Fafard, Elham Safaei and Michel Bouillet took in their school’s debut fundraising gala.

Vancouver’s Man-About-Town Fred Lee partied with VCC alumnus and Chopped Canada winner Clement Chan of Torafuku and Le Tigre food truck. 

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