What a FEAST!
VCC President and CEO Ajay Patel, Scotiabank District VP Jenifer Lee, and Senior VP of BC & Yukon Region Stephen Gaskin enjoying FEAST!
On September 27, VCC Foundation hosted FEAST!, VCC’s Asian Culinary Arts program fundraiser presented by Scotiabank. The event welcomed nearly 100 esteemed guests to VCC’s JJ’s Restaurant, where diners and sponsors raised $58,580 over a five-course meal, all while celebrating 50 years of Asian Culinary Arts at VCC.
In addition to providing equipment and program needs, the funds raised will support the VCC Culinary Arts team representing Canada at the International Chinese Chef Master Competition in Macau, China, in November 2025. FEAST! served as a practice run for alumni Junhao Li and Shaoyi Sun, with VCC veteran instructors Chef Sonny Ho and Chef Jie (Jay) Wen supporting.
“My training at VCC has given me a solid foundation in both classical and modern culinary techniques, as well as the confidence to work effectively in a team,” said Junhao. “By emphasizing discipline, creativity, and professionalism in every aspect of cooking, VCC has prepared me well and made a big difference in my growth as a chef.”
This year’s competitors were joined by VCC alumni Toby Chen and Kevin So (VCC’s Silver medal team from 2024), Jason Wu, Stanley Pak, and 2023 Michelin Young Chef award recipient Warren Chow. Guests were treated to a creative menu including duck terrine; salmon; sushi; short rib; and a mango, pomelo, and sago mooncake.
“We were honoured to host a room of food lovers who are truly invested in VCC. We all share in the success of VCC’s Asian Culinary Arts program and the incredible 50 years we have been offering it,” said Moira Gookstetter, VCC Foundation Executive Director. “People came to the event with generous hearts and left with very full stomachs. We are so grateful to everyone who attended, and we cannot wait to report back on how the team competes in China.”
The event was made possible by several key sponsors including Presenting Sponsor Scotiabank and Program Partner Lee Kum Kee, as well as Chinatown BBQ, Ocean Mama, 3Fish, Intercity Packers, and La Frenz Winery. Additional funds were secured through a live auction, sponsored by RBC, and a Fund-a-Need opportunity, which was led by a $5,000 donation from T&T Supermarket.
A special thank you goes out to our community fundraising team: Carol Lee (Vancouver Chinatown Foundation), Fred Lee (Vanhattan’s Man About Town), Rebecca Pang (RBC), and Rae Kung (Chinese Restaurant Association).
See photos from the event on flickr.