BCHF Scholarships Awarded to Exceptional BC Wine Professionals

The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) was delighted to award 10 Sommelier Scholarships at the 2019 Vancouver International Wine Festival Awards Lunch on March 1^st. This year’s Scholarships are sponsored by Sunrock Vineyards, Authentic Wine & Spirit Merchants, Da Silva Vineyards & Winery, Hester Creek, and Okanagan Crush Pad. All sponsors also made additional donations to the BCHF Beneficiary program.

The BCHF is perhaps best known for providing support for hospitality workers in financial crisis due to an extraordinary health issue, but the charity also administers a scholarship program.

The Sommelier Scholarships are awarded to individuals already working in BC’s hospitality industry who are furthering their wine knowledge through a course of study at an eligible institution.

In 2019 the BCHF received the 28 applications for the scholarships, which was the largest number ever, and the organization thanks the 18 judges who undertook the difficult task of selecting a limited number of candidates from a very strong field. Each of the following scholarship recipients was presented with a $1,000 cheque at the Awards Lunch.

Ann Brydle – Cascadia Liquor

Suzanne Cody – Vij’s Rangoli

Jennifer Ellan – Fiore Famiglia

Shawn Jones – Nomad Restaurant

Erin Korpisto – Okanagan College

Matthew Landry – Stable House Bistro

Michael Littleford – Nightingale/Cin Cin

Melissa Lu – blue water cafe & RawBar

Meghan McDowell – Bistro Wagon Rouge

Aron Veen – Tap Restaurant

Congratulations again to all the scholarship recipients, and thanks to the sponsors for helping cultivate the next generation of workers in our industry!

Information about other scholarships offered by the BCHF may be found here.

About the BC Hospitality Foundation

The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is a registered charity that raises funds to support those in the hospitality industry facing financial crisis due to a medical issue. Each year hundreds of hospitality workers across BC face financial challenges and have nowhere else to turn. The BCHF helps them when all other options have been exhausted. In addition, the BCHF offers a scholarship program to foster the development of the next generation of hospitality workers and industry leaders.