BC Hospitality Foundation Officially Launches With Successful Founders Dinner

Submitted by admin on January 29, 2008 - 4:39pm

Over $110,000 raised for hospitality workers in times of medical need.

Vancouver, BC – The BC hospitality industry came together to help its own last night, raising $110,000 at the BC Hospitality Foundation’s (BCHF) Founders Dinner for hospitality workers without a financial safety net during a medical crisis.

The sold-out dinner, which officially launched the newly formed foundation, drew 300 to the Pan Pacific Vancouver hotel for a gastronomic experience that showcased the pinnacle of what BC have to offer in chefs, food and wine.

The BCHF Founders Dinner culinary “dream team” was led by Pan Pacific executive chef, Daryl Nagata and included Ben Genaille of Northern BC; Dennis Green of Green Chef and go2 hr; Rob Feenie, independent; Lisa Aheir of Sobo, and Greg Hook, a chocolatier with Chocolate Arts.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response to the Founders Dinner and to what BCHF is trying to achieve,” says Founders Dinner chair Tim Pawsey. “Everyone has put so much into this event – from the chefs and organizers who so tirelessly gave their time and energy – to the businesses and individuals who donated fabulous auction items - to those who attended the dinner and opened up their hearts and wallets, we can’t express our gratitude enough.”

In addition to the made-in-BC feast, the BCHF Founder’s Dinner featured a catalogue of impressive auction items. These included collectors’ bottles of Meritage, exclusively created for the Founders Dinner by the Great Estates of the Okanagan; a four-night Northern Heli-skiing adventure including a gourmet dinner for two; a journey on the Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (Gold Leaf); a trip for two to the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort’s Bedwell River Outpost, and a two-night stay at the Aerie Resort & Spa’s private and exclusive mountaintop villa.

Also on the auction block was a unique crab fishing experience at Hastings House; a “Day in the Life with Rob Feenie” featuring an exclusive tour of Vancouver, including Feenie’s favourite shops and other hot spots, finished off with a dinner for six at the successful bidder’s home; an Impark VIP Parking Pass, and a number of $50 Dining Out Guide gift certificates.

This is the second event for the BC Hospitality Foundation, quietly formed last year to help Michael J. Willingham, a Vancouver Island wine agent pay for a costly surgery and rehabilitation following a serious stroke. Willingham was not covered by insurance and did not have employer benefits.

For a few seasoned industry members, such as Harry McWatters, the BC Hospitality Foundation chair and Sumac Ridge Winery founder and BC Restaurant Hall of fame member, Willingham’s experience was a wake-up call about the many people in the industry who find themselves in need of help.

“It really made us stop and think about how there were probably others like Michael out there who needed support of the industry,” McWatters says.

The fund, established and managed by the BCHF, a volunteer-driven non-profit organization, is meant to be a last-resort safety net for others who may at some point find themselves in dire need.

British Columbia's tourism industry is one of BC’s largest economic sectors in terms of employment and revenue, directly employing more than a hundred thousand people. Many of these workers are in various employment arrangements, such as food suppliers, publicists, trade media, retailers, vinters and wine sales reps, and may not be covered by benefits or insurance.

BCHF has set a goal to raise $3 million by 2010 through annual golf tournaments, fundraising dinners and by working with the industry to establish a hospitality fundraising day.

“This is a great beginning for BCHF and we look forward to working together as an industry to keep building this important fund in the days ahead,” McWatters says.

For more information on BCHF visit www.bchospitalityfoundation.com