Living la dolce vita: cooking up a culinary training dream in Italy
Alice (left) and Karen (right) recently spent two weeks in Italy as recipients of an award made possible through Rio Mare and VCC’s partnership with ALMA – the Italian School of Culinary Arts
At Vancouver Community College (VCC), learning goes beyond borders. Through global partnerships, students gain real-world skills and meaningful experiences that prepare them for their future careers. Since 2022, VCC has partnered with ALMA, the School of Italian Culinary Arts based in Colorno, Italy to promote cultural exchange and enhanced learning opportunities for students.
For two VCC Culinary Arts students, Alice and Karen, what started as a classroom competition became a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy, where they immersed themselves in Italian cuisine and returned transformed. Experiences such as these expose students to new ways of thinking that give them the skills and confidence to thrive beyond graduation.
Alice's story
I've recently completed the Culinary Arts program at VCC. As winners of the Rio Mare Culinary Competition, my classmate Karen and I earned an unforgettable prize – a culinary stage in Italy! We saw this as a valuable opportunity to apply the cooking skills and knowledge we had gained at VCC, challenge ourselves, broaden our life experiences, and create meaningful memories during our time at school.
After many rounds of trial, feedback, and improvement, we were honoured to win and join the prestigious “Like an Italian” course at ALMA, one of Italy’s most renowned culinary schools, for two weeks.
The experience was truly eye-opening. I gained an appreciation for the deep respect and pride Italians hold for their culinary traditions. I learned firsthand that great cooking isn’t just about technique—it’s about understanding the history, culture, and details behind every dish, starting with the careful selection of ingredients.
One of the most impactful moments was visiting a prosciutto factory, where they prioritize quality over quantity, strictly controlling production to maintain high standards. This left a lasting impression on me about the importance of quality control and craftsmanship. Excellence in cooking demands attention to every detail. Everything matters when striving for perfection.
This journey also reminded me that success comes from persistence, learning, and staying open to feedback. If you ever get the chance to compete, go for it. You might just end up learning more than you ever imagined—about food, culture, and yourself.
Karen's story
I'm currently enrolled in the Culinary Arts diploma program at VCC. This experience marked a turning point in my culinary journey. It deepened my desire to cook with culture, history, family, and love at the core—and reminded me that becoming a great chef takes discipline, humility, and heart. The techniques and mindset I gained continue to shape how I work in a real-world kitchen.
Our instructors showed us how geography, ingredients, and tradition define Italian cuisine. From risotto to regional cheeses, every dish told a story—and made me reflect on my own roots. As a new immigrant to Canada, the experience inspired me to honour Cantonese food traditions while exploring how to combine them with B.C.’s incredible local ingredients, like spot prawns and Dungeness crab.
One moment I’ll never forget was receiving my certificate from Chef Laura, our cooking instructor at ALMA, at the closing ceremony. Her warmth, guidance, and belief in me stayed with me—proof that strength comes not from size, but from passion and the joy you put into your craft.
If you get the chance to take part in something like this, say yes. You’ll grow in ways you never expected, meet inspiring people, and discover just how far your love for cooking can take you.
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