NORTH VANCOUVER ISLAND CULINARY ASSOCIATION
Dear NVICA Members,
September is here, and after a busy summer, the NVICA is heading into what looks to be an exciting fall.
Thank you to everyone who has been involved over the past few months. Whether you volunteered at the Farmers’ Market, joined us for Chef’s Night Out, supported one of our community events, or simply stayed connected with what NVICA is doing, thank you.
Our association is only as strong as the members who get involved. Every volunteer hour, event, conversation, and contribution helps us build a stronger culinary community across North Vancouver Island. We’re looking forward to continuing that work together this fall.
Looking Back at August
August was a busy month for the NVICA, with several opportunities to celebrate food, our local producers, and the people who make our food community so special.
We were proud to take part in Food Day Canada with our Food Fest at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market.
It was a great opportunity to celebrate Canadian food, connect with the community, and showcase the importance of supporting local producers and food businesses. It was also a great reminder of why building connections within our local food community is such an important part of what we do.
COOK’S CAMP 2026
A group of NVICA members will be heading to Cook’s Camp from September 16–18 at North Arm Farm in Pemberton.
Cook’s Camp is a great opportunity to connect with cooks and chefs from across the province, learn new things, share ideas and, of course, enjoy some great food.
We’re also excited that several culinary students will be attending. Supporting the next generation of culinary professionals is an important part of what we want NVICA to continue doing.
FOOD DAY CANADA — SEPTEMBER 26
Our biggest event this month is Food Day Canada at Keating Farm in the Cowichan Valley on September 26.
NVICA will be helping prepare and serve food for hundreds of guests. Our current plan is to prepare approximately 100 litres of soup, including a vegetarian option, along with bread/focaccia and salad.
We’ll be doing the main preparation on Friday, September 25, and then serving on Saturday.
This is going to take a good team, so if you are available to help — even for part of the day — please let us know. Events like this are a great way to meet other members, work together and show our community what NVICA is all about.
BUILDING OUR CULINARY COMMUNITY
One of the things we’ve been talking about as an Executive is how we can make NVICA more visible and valuable to the culinary community.
This fall, we’re looking at building stronger connections with North Island College, Vancouver Island University and local high schools.
We want to get into classrooms and kitchens, talk with students and give them an opportunity to meet working chefs and culinary professionals. We’re also looking at hands-on demonstrations and other ways to get students excited about careers in food.
If you have a connection with a school, culinary program or educator, please let us know. An introduction can go a long way.
MEMBERSHIP — LET’S GROW TOGETHER
September feels like a natural time for a fresh start.
This fall, we’ll be looking at new ways to grow NVICA and make membership even more valuable to culinary professionals, students, employers and food businesses.
We’re also developing ideas for an employer-supported membership program that could make it easier for restaurants and food businesses to support their employees’ involvement with NVICA.
If you know a chef, cook, restaurant owner, food producer, culinary student or other food professional who should be part of NVICA, invite them to connect with us.
The more people we bring into the association, the more we can do together.
CHEF’S NIGHT OUT
We’re already looking at our next Chef’s Night Out.
The idea is to continue visiting different restaurants and food businesses around the Island and give members a chance to get together outside of work.
We’re looking at possibilities in Campbell River, Courtenay and the Parksville/Qualicum area.
If you have a restaurant, producer or food business you’d like NVICA to visit, let us know.
FREEZER DRAW
We’re continuing to move forward with plans for the NVICA Freezer Draw, one of our major fundraisers for the year.
This year, tickets will be $10 each — a great way to support NVICA and a perfect stocking stuffer for the food lover in your life!
We’ll need members to help with selling tickets, promoting the draw, and preparing the food that will go into the freezer. Thank you to everyone who completed our survey and offered to help.
We’re currently working on the raffle licence, ticket sales, freezer storage, and final prize package. We’re looking at December 28 or 29 for the draw, with the final date to be confirmed.
More details will be shared as plans come together. We’ll need our members to help make this fundraiser a success!
LOOKING AHEAD
There are a lot of ideas on the table for NVICA right now.
We’re looking at fundraising opportunities, community partnerships, culinary education, new membership opportunities and ways to get our members more involved.
So, if you’ve been thinking about getting more involved, this is a great time to do it.
Come to a meeting. Volunteer at an event. Bring an idea. Introduce us to someone. Host a Chef’s Night Out. Help with a student event. Or simply come out and connect with your fellow culinary professionals.
Every contribution helps.
I’m looking forward to a busy fall and to seeing many of you at Cook’s Camp, Food Day Canada and our upcoming NVICA events.
See you around the table!
North Vancouver Island Culinary Association
Promoting the culinary profession through leadership, education and certification while building strong community partnerships.
We Want to Hear From You!
As we head into the fall, we’d love to hear from our NVICA members. Take a few minutes to complete this month’s survey and let us know what you’d like to see from the association, including events, education, Chef’s Night Out, and ways you’d like to get involved.
Your feedback helps us plan activitiesthat are valuable and enjoyable for our members.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!
