Vancouver Community College: a new Partner School in ALMA’s international network
Perfezione! VCC and ALMA partner to promote education and culture of Italian cuisine
Student risotto competition kicks off the official start of the partnership
VANCOUVER, November 29, 2022 – When one thinks of the best cuisines in the world, Italian is often at the top of many people’s list. Thanks to a new partnership between Vancouver Community College (VCC) and ALMA – The School of Italian Culinary Arts, budding chefs in VCC’s Culinary Arts program will have more opportunities to learn the art of Italian cuisine.
On November 25, a memorandum of understanding was signed between ALMA and VCC establishing a relationship of cooperation aimed at promoting the education and culture of Italian cuisine.
“In ALMA’s vocation, ever since its creation, there has always been the desire and need to bring true Italian cuisine to the world, which is original, i.e. linked to a culture, and contemporary, i.e. linked to current events,” says Andrea Sinigaglia General Manager ALMA – The School of Italian Culinary Arts. “To celebrate such an important occasion, we are proud to have reached a new prestigious partner such as Vancouver Community College. This new partnership outlines the possibility of shared values of the beauty and history of authentic food Italian heritage is known for.”
The partnership signing also coincided with a competition on ”How to make a perfect Italian risotto” where six students from VCC’s Culinary Arts program competed. Beginning with a video demonstration from ALMA ambassador, Chef Carlo-Maria Ricci, the students then had one hour to reproduce the beloved Italian rice dish. Kalvin Frid, a student in VCC’s Professional Cook 2 certificate program, emerged as the winner with a risotto that impressed the judges with his execution and attention to detail.
“On behalf of all of us at VCC, a hearty congratulations to Kalvin for winning today’s risotto competition,” says VCC’s Dennis Innes. “I would also like to express my gratitude to Andrea and the entire team at ALMA for their partnership. VCC’s culinary alumni have gone on to compete in national and international culinary competitions, open their own restaurants, and some have been recently recognized by the Michelin Guide in Vancouver. Partnering with a world-leading educational institution such as ALMA will continue VCC’s tradition of providing culinary training excellence for students that charts a course for a promising future in the food industry.”
As the winner, Kalvin receives a scholarship to attend ALMA’s Italian Culinary Program Unit II program, valued at 15000 EUR ($20,000 CDN).
“I hope to work in high-end restaurants once I complete my program and this experience will help me get one step closer,” says Kalvin. “Nothing really excites me more than learning and learning Italian food in Italy is an amazing opportunity. I’m incredibly grateful.”
The competition was judged by ALMA’s Andrea Sinigaglia; VCC’s Dennis Innes; Pino Posteraro, Cioppino’s chef-owner; Ilaria Baldan, Executive Director, Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada West (ICCBC); Laura Sanfilippo, Education Officer, Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver; and Tannis Morgan, VCC Associate Vice President, Academic Innovation.
“The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada West congratulates its partner VCC and ALMA for this important milestone towards the strengthening of ties between Italy and Western Canada,” adds ICCBC’s Ilaria Baldan. “This MOU brings infinite opportunities for culinary exchanges, training, and continuing education. We look forward to seeing more ‘made in Italy’ in Vancouver and to collaborating with them on exciting new projects.”
