On Monday, January 26, 2009, the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation, Chef Kevin Greehy, and the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside are creating the second annual Founders Dinner II.

An invitation only event to the top leaders in our industry, this dinner promises to set a new bar as a culinary fundraising event. The dinner will be an elegant affair, a wonderful dining experience to lighten the dull January nights, as well as an opportunity to share a beverage and time with your peers. This will be a very special and intimate industry event as it is designed to recognize our generous supporters and donors from the past two years. We will officially thank our past Charter Sponsors, our Import Vintners, and our generous donors and sponsors of the BC hospitality community, while at the same time showcasing and celebrating the many local producers and vintners who will benefit the most from the success of the foundation.

We invite you to become a Founding Dinner sponsor, an investment of Two thousand, five hundred dollars ($2,500.00). This level of support will include four tickets to the Founders Dinner, plus recognition as a Founding Dinner Sponsor, and a myriad of benefits as outlined in the accompanying package.

Harry McWatters, Chair, BC Hospitality Foundation, bottled a collector’s bottle of limited edition Great Estates of the Okanagan Meritage - this hand numbered bottle recently sold at auction - $1000! Each Founding Sponsor in 2009 will receive this collector’s item… Only 100 bottles were produced!

In 2008, Pan Pacific’s Executive Chef Daryle Nagata along with chair Tim Pawsey hand-picked a team of chefs to showcase the finest BC ingredients. Founders Dinner I raised $110,000.00, thanks to the support of 27 Founders Dinner sponsors.

In 2009, Chef Kevin Greehy handpicked his team – starting with the newest member of the Vancouver culinary community, Miku Restaurant. As a new neighbour to the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside, Miku will be showcasing their use of sustainable BC Products at the reception. The team of BC Chefs creating the six course meal are representative of the flavours and regions of BC. Our 2009 Founders Dinner II Chefs: Thierry Busset, Rod Butters, Bernard Casavant, Melbourne O’Brien, Jeff van Geest, hosted by Chef Kevin Greehy.

While BC products are very much the focus, The BC Hospitality Foundation is supported by all the industry. Charton Hobbs and Authentic Wines and Spirits are sponsoring the VIP Reception, pouring Veuve Cliquot and Louis Roederer; The Bacchus Group is included in the general reception, showcasing the Zonin Prosecco.

This is an opportunity to support a very crucial foundation on its journey to an Endowment Fund of 1.5 million by 2011. British Columbia Hospitality Foundation is the industry’s charity of choice, providing support for individuals within the hospitality community, coping with extraordinary costs arising from a serious health crisis. Thank you for your support. We look forward to seeing you January 26, 2009, at the VIP Reception for our Founding Dinner Sponsors.