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Culinary arts students going to Olympics

Amber Yake - News Editor

Students from TRU’s culinary arts program are going to be participating in the Olympics; just not in the Games.

Eight TRU culinary arts students have been chosen to stay in the Fairmont Chateau at Whistler and work for the hotel from February 6 to March 2.

“It’s a great opportunity for them,” said Jeff Jordan, the chairperson of the culinary arts department. “They’ll get a chance to really learn about the industry working in a four-star hotel during one of the biggest events in B.C.’s history.”

“I’m very excited; I’ve never been to Whistler and this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to go to the Olympics,” said Rayne Scott, one of the eight students selected to go. “I’m ready to learn.”

The top eight students in the program were chosen. They will gain experience working in all areas of the kitchen.

“This might change their outlook on a career,” Jordan said. “It’s more challenging working in an environment like that, there are possibilities of 10-11 hour days and last minute private functions will be happening.”

Even though the eight students will be gone for one month of their regular schooling, an instructor will be going with them.

“Grading will still happen to them while they’re there,” Jordan said.

TRU’s culinary arts program includes 13 months of hands-on training where students learn everything from food preparation to cooking five-star meals.

The on-campus restaurant, Accolades Restaurant and Bistro, has been named as one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada.

“The Accolades dining room has been in the top 100 in Canada for the last four or five years,” Jordan said. “It speaks for itself; it’s award-winning, it has been for a number of years, it’s the last level that students take when they go into the program.”

According to Brenda McGregor, school of Tourism, the fact that students from TRU’s culinary school were chosen to go to Whistler speaks to the credibility of the program.

“This highly speaks to our program and is a fantastic opportunity for these students,” she said.