Highly Anticipated Yes Shef Returns for Fifth Year

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Highly Anticipated Yes Shef Returns for Fifth Year 

BC’s Top Women Chefs Take Centre Stage at Annual Culinary Event

Yes Shef, an evening dedicated to celebrating the incredible contribution and leadership of women shaping the food and beverage industry, returns to the prestigious Fairmont Pacific Rim on Thursday, November 6.

Presented by WORTH Association and hosted by the Fairmont Pacific Rim, the event will take place in the opulent Star Sapphire Ballroom, and promises an evening of inspiring conversation, and delicious food from some of BC’s top women chefs, alongside craft beverages from women-led distilleries, breweries, and wineries from across the province.

Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Yes Shef is more than just an evening of culinary excellence; it’s an opportunity to empower the next generation of emerging chefs as the event pairs top chefs with women studying culinary arts from the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA) as part of its mentorship program. A launchpad for professional growth, Yes Shef marks the beginning of six weeks of one-on-one mentorship for the 15 emerging culinary talents. Through the WORTH Association mentorship program, these students receive a range of opportunities, including hands-on coaching, weekly meetings, or on-site experience at leading restaurants.

“I started my hospitality career as a cook, where I was often the only woman in the kitchen”, says founder and executive director of WORTH Association, Joanna Jagger. “25 years ago I didn’t have a community to offer support and mentorship as I was navigating the industry. While a lot has changed, we want to continue to see more women in leadership roles and Yes Shef is about opening doors for the next generation in culinary.”

A highlight for 2025 will see the return of Yes Shef’s integral partnership with Indigenous Tourism British Columbia (ITBC), to spotlight a plethora of rich Indigenous culinary traditions through tasting stations curated by ITBC mentor-mentee chef pairings. Chefs include Stephanie Baryluk of Nihkhah, and Sarah Meconse Mierau, Tradish’s The Ancestor Cafe.

This year’s lineup promises an unforgettable experience. With more still to be announced, the current confirmed participating chefs include:

Beverage Makers: 

More information on this year’s talent can be found at https://www.yesshef.com/chefs.

Along with delicious bites and craft beverages, guests will enjoy live music, and the opportunity to participate in an online auction and raffle. The evening will also offer a blind date with a restaurant, where guests can donate either $25, $50, $75, or $100 in exchange for a gift card to a mystery establishment. All proceeds will go to funding scholarships, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities for women in recreation, tourism, and hospitality.  

This year’s event marks an extra special chapter for the organization as Yes Shef announces it will arrive in the Greater Toronto Area for the first time, on March 9th, 2026. 

EVENT DETAILS: 
Location: Fairmont Pacific Rim in the Star Sapphire Ballroom, 1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver
Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 6 pm

TICKETS:
Tickets available now at $200 and can be purchased online at https://www.yesshef.com/events/vancouver-2025.

PARTNERSHIPS:
Opportunities are still available. Explore exclusive access and benefits online at https://www.yesshef.com/partner-with-us.
ABOUT WORTH ASSOCIATION | WORTH Association is a non-profit society working to advance equity across the visitor economy. They champion self-identifying women and gender diverse people working in recreation, tourism, and hospitality through mentorship, leadership development, advocacy, and community connection. While women represent a significant share of the industry’s workforce, they remain underrepresented in decision-making roles. WORTH exists to change that, equipping women with the tools and networks they need to thrive, and partnering with industry to build a more inclusive and resilient future.
 | worthassociation.com | @worth.association | yesshef.com | @yesshefofficial

ABOUT FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM | Fairmont Pacific Rim – Vancouver’s definitive luxury hotel – was rated the World’s Best Business Hotel by Condé Nast Traveler readers and awarded the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond Ratings. This ultramodern downtown hotel offers unobstructed mountain and harbour views, combining the best of the Pacific Rim in its architecture and décor. The hotel features three award-winning dining destinations, resort-style Forbes Five Star Fairmont Spa, rooftop and pool sundeck, lavish guestrooms, and a variety of the city’s most luxurious suites. | fairmont.com | all.accor.com |group.accor.com

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