Relief for BC wineries 2024 vintage

BC wineries will receive temporary support in response to the loss of grapes and damage to vines effective from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. Wineries will be able to use grapes and grape juice from outside the province for the 2024 vintage year. This measure aims to help wineries produce a 2024 vintage, maintain job security, and ensure the continued availability of BC-produced wines.

“B.C. wine growers and wineries are an integral part of the province’s economy and this year they have been hit by devastating losses due to extreme weather events,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “By extending this support, we are providing badly needed help for our wineries during this challenging period. This relief for the 2024 vintage is essential to protect jobs and maintain the cultural and economic vitality this sector brings to our communities.”

Details on eligibility and related requirements will be available to the industry this fall.

Okanagan College breaks ground on new centre for food, wine, and tourism

Okanagan College’s Kelowna Campus is welcoming a new centre for food, wine, and tourism that will include modern teaching spaces, food labs, beverage research and development facilities, and common spaces.

The centre is the first of its kind, a collaboration will bring food, wine, and tourism programs to the campus first of its kind, a partnership between students and businesses in the food, beverage, hospitality and resort industries, and will address the labour shortages in the industry by expanding its culinary enrolment by more than 125 students per year, and hospitality and tourism enrolment by 450 students per year.

Plans unveiled for the new Centre for Food, Wine, and Tourism

Read the entire Okanagan College Press Release

Buy BC Partnership Program

Buy BC provides cost-shared funding and a recognizable Buy BC logo to help B.C.’s agri-food and seafood sector market their products and increase sales within B.C. Buy BC promotes a wide range of agriculture, food and beverage products. Look for the Buy BC symbol at your local grocery stores and farmers’ markets to enjoy and explore local products and support B.C. farmers, producers and our economy.

• Buy BC Logo Licensing: Buy BC logo licensing provides industry with the opportunity to apply for authorization to use the Logo through an Authorized Use Agreement or Consent to Use Form.

• Buy BC Cost-Shared Funding: Once an applicant has been approved for a Buy BC logo license, they can apply for funding to help them undertake sector and/or product specific Buy BC marketing and promotional activities across the province.

Penticton Lakeside Resort Introduces New Culinary Team

Source: Penticton Lakeside Resort

For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

In response to the growing culinary scene at the Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre, General Manager David Prystay introduced the position of Food and Beverage Director assumed by Keith Corbett in the Fall of 2019. Excitement grew for the vision of the culinary scene as conversations and planning over the next few months unfolded, resulting in a culinary force that will bring these visions to life.

Keith Corbett

Aaron Armstrong

Dan Vichitthavong

Corbett’s education from BCIT and years of management experience with the notable Joey Restaurants and highly recognized Score on Davie has resulted in strengths that have been applied to the Resorts food & beverage operations. Strong emphasis and close attention to detail are being put on staff training & customer service, product knowledge, and policy & procedure revisions. “We are thrilled to have Keith join our team. His passion for the Resort having worked here in years past and the experience he brings with him from his time spent in Vancouver has been a large asset to our team” shares Prystay.

Aaron Armstrong, a standing veteran of the Resort for 10+ years, was promoted to Executive Chef following predecessor Chris Remington’s departure in December to follow his dream in winemaking. Before his hire at the Resort, Armstrong gained experience from other restaurants in mountainous resort destinations including the Hume Hotel & Spa in Nelson. This is where he found his passion for search & rescue and served as an active member of the BCSAR for many years. When appointed Aaron showed great enthusiasm in his desires to elevate the food and beverage experience for conference and event attendees and guests visiting any of the unique dining venues adding, “I look forward to leading and working closely with the amazing staff here to provide guests with a memorable experience when dining with us.”

The Resort’s most recent welcome was extended to Dan Vichitthavong, or better known as Chef “V”, on March 1st as the Hooded Merganser Restaurant Head Chef. Dan most recently resided in Vancouver where he held the professional titles of Regional Chef for Warehouse Group and Head Chef at Tableau Bar Bistro. Before his west coast living, Ontario was home where he was the Executive Sous Chef for Cambridge Mill, a farm-to-table inspired restaurant. His experience and education is also highly attributed to his culinary internship with famed chef, David Chang, and by obtaining his culinary management accreditation from George Brown College. When asked for his vision he shared, “I want to bring a fresh, new and vibrant approach to the menu by showcasing our Valley View Farm and by working with the great bounty of products and suppliers here in the Okanagan”. As such is his love for food, so it is for nectarines and country music.

In addition to the strong focus put on operations and culinary in the various venues including the Resorts conference and events centre, the Hooded Merganser Restaurant and Barking Parrot Bar will be renovated over the next few months. Prystay added, “We look forward to May when we anticipate the rollout of all these exciting changes including unique wall art in the Barking Parrot commissioned to various BC artists”. “Excellent dining is crucial for all guests including conference & event attendees, those staying at the Resort for business or leisure, and our loyal local supporters”.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Brannigan Mosses

Director, Sales & Marketing

Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre

Email: Brannigan@rpbhotels.com

Phone: 250-493-8221