Niagara College is launching a fresh new dinner series that will showcase talented chefs and alumni from its trailblazing Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division.
‘A Chef’s Journey’ will kick off with an exciting lineup of eight dinner events for 2024-2025 which spotlight the College’s academic chefs alongside featured alumni and a team of students.
As its name denotes, each event in the series will celebrate a NC chef – or two – who will curate a multi-course meal along with an evening experience to reflect their personal journeys. Their stories will be conveyed through their menu of food and beverage selections, as well as storytelling, visuals, and other surprises throughout the evening.
Alumni from NC’s Culinary Tourism and Beverage Studies division will join forces with the event chefs and their teams to share their own pathways of success and inspire students.
“We’re excited to present our new signature dinner series, A Chef’s Journey, which will be a celebration of culinary artistry, community and the journeys that have shaped our talented chefs and alumni,” said Dean of Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies, Craig Youdale. “Each event promises to create meaningful connections between our College chefs, alumni, students and our community.”
“We are thrilled that this new dinner series will include opportunities to feature alumni from our Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division, which will elevate the event through exceptional service, thoughtfully crafted drinks and more,” said Jana Boniferro, Director, Alumni Relations. “Together with our talented academic chefs, our highly skilled NC alumni embody the true essence of hospitality, contributing to this event’s recipe for success.”
On November 28, the series will kick off with A Story of Chef Craig Youdale [bio attached], featuring wines sourced by esteemed NC Wine Professor Peter Rod.
The series will continue in 2025 featuring the culinary talents of NC Chef Professors including:
- Olaf Mertens on January 23;
- Michael Olson, along with his wife, celebrity chef Anna Olson, on February 13;
- Oscar Turchi (event date to be announced);
- Frank Dodd on March 20;
- Erin Cirelli and Isa Mottiar on April 3;
- Riley Bennett on May 8; and
- Scott Baechler on May 22.
Each dinner event will include a welcome reception with beverages and light snacks, a chef’s presentation of storytelling, photos and videos highlighting their journeys, and more.
A Chef’s Journey events will be held at Benchmark restaurant, located at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The events will be supported by students and staff from the College’s Benchmark team led by Victor Oliviera and Chef Justin Downes.
Student Experience Scholarship Fund
The icing on the cake – the first event in the new dinner series will mark the rollout of NC’s new Student Experience Scholarship Fund. This new fund will help support students from NC’s Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division who are highly engaged outside of the classroom by working at Benchmark restaurant, volunteering for charitable activities, or supporting special events, and demonstrate exemplary leadership and teamwork skills. A recipient will be selected by managers and faculty each term.
Details about the new Student Experience Scholarship Fund will be announced at A Chef’s Journey with Craig Youdale on November 28.
Tickets for A Chef’s Journey
Tickets are now available for the first event to be held on November 28: A Chef’s Journey with Craig Youdale via Evenbrite here.
NC’s Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division, includes the schools of Culinary Arts; Wine, Beer and Spirits; and Hospitality and Tourism. The division hosts weekly pop-ups as well as signature academic events throughout the year. For info visit niagaracollege.ca/culinaryarts/events/.
Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 100 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is ranked Canada’s No.1 research college. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.
Photo: Craig Youdale, Dean, Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies, will be the first featured chef in the new signature dinner series. A Chef’s Journey with Craig Youdale will be held on November 28.
