College chefs help prepare for a flavourful Christmas

Okanagan College Media Release

Okanagan College Chef Bernard Casavant, Chef Mike Barillaro and 14 culinary arts students are putting their talents and training to work as they help prepare a delicious community Christmas dinner.

When Chef Adam Relvas (owner of Relvas Catering and a College alumnus and Victory Life Fellowship volunteer), approached the College several years ago to help with the dinner, the College chefs saw it as a perfect opportunity to give the first-year culinary class an education in preparing the popular holiday-time bird.

“There’s nothing like giving students real-life training especially for an amazing cause like this,” says Casavant. “You should have seen the students’ eyes when Chef Mike and I wheeled out the cart with the 25 turkeys on it.”

The dinner is hosted by Victory Life Church at the Parkinson Recreational Centre and has been running for 14 years. Victory Life is anticipating it will help feed more than 500 people this year. Two dinner seatings are planned to serve the crowds, thanks to an endless team of volunteers.

“This entire event is made possible thanks to volunteers,” explains Casavant. “The turkeys were donated by Victory Life Fellowship and together with Chef Adam and the 14 students we’ve been making the stuffing and cooking the turkeys and Chef Mike worked his magic with the gravy.”

The dinner is open to everyone; the driving belief is that no one should be alone on Christmas. Those attending will be treated to a flavourful turkey dinner with all the trimmings, gift bags, door prizes, games and live entertainment.

For more information, visit www.victorylife.ca/christmas-day-dinner.