麻豆社


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Hotel Grand Pacific: Camosun Food Affair Spotlight

The Pacific Restaurant and Terrace at the Hotel Grand Pacific is one of 40+ food establishments participating in the Camosun Food Affair.

We spoke with current employees (and Camosun alumni!) James, Ian, Shelby, Noah and Nick.

What鈥檚 the best thing about the ?

鈥淪ince 2001, our restaurant has been committed to using good, quality ingredients in a 鈥榤ade from scratch鈥 approach,鈥 says James. 鈥淓very dish is flavourful. We use a lot of house crafted items such as the broccoli cream on the pizza.鈥

鈥淥ur halibut dish is killer,鈥 adds Ian.听 鈥淚t features dill-brined halibut, olive tapenade, crushed fingerling potatoes, herb pea puree and pickled fennel.鈥

鈥淲e also have a great patio with a pond and fire pits,鈥 says Noah. 鈥淭here鈥檚 lots of atmosphere and ambiance; it鈥檚 a hidden gem!鈥

How has your restaurant been resilient during the pandemic?听

鈥淲e had to adjust our business plans, cross-train staff, adapt our menus, and add more take out options,鈥 says Ian. 鈥淏asically, be open to any ideas to try and stay busy. Our Caf茅 was the first focus for us with HGP TO GO items. Fondue in the Restaurant was huge this year.鈥

Why do you love food?听

鈥淭he food has the ability to bring people together for a shared experience,鈥 says Shelby.

鈥淚t makes people happy and I really enjoy making people happy. It gives me a great creative outlet,鈥 adds Noah.

鈥淭he food industry never lets you stop learning,鈥 says Nick. 鈥淚 could be doing this for 40 years and there would still be something new to experience.鈥

What does Camosun mean to you?听

鈥淩ight now, we have about seven Camosun alumni employed at Hotel Grand Pacific,鈥 says James. 鈥淭o me, Camosun means opportunity and growth. Camosun gave me the tools and the confidence to better understand my strengths in the hospitality industry.鈥

鈥淔or me, Camosun means a place to learn, to spark the flame of knowledge and hone one鈥檚 skills,鈥 says Ian.

鈥淏eing able to work in my field while at school was amazing,鈥 adds Shelby. 鈥淕aining practical experience prior to entering the workforce really sets Camosun apart.鈥

鈥淚 learned a lot in the Culinary Arts program,鈥 explains Noah. 鈥淚t was affordable and easy to access. The chefs were all very knowledgeable and well connected in the industry.鈥

鈥淐amosun鈥檚 Culinary Arts program is the leader in B.C.,鈥 adds Nick.听

What鈥檚 your message to students thinking about a career in听your industry?听

鈥淭ry as many of the different areas within the business as you can while you鈥檙e young and before you get too committed into one single discipline,鈥 says James. 鈥淏e honest, positive and flexible throughout your career.鈥

鈥淐ooking is a career where you are constantly learning and seeing new things,鈥 says Ian. 鈥淚f you have the passion for food and the job, you will be rewarded.听 It is a career in demand now, and into the future.鈥澨

鈥淲hat hospitality offers that other fields don鈥檛 is that you and can explore different paths while discovering your passion,鈥 adds Shelby.

Camosun Food Affair, Sept. 16-23

Whether you鈥檙e a Camosun alum, student, employee or community supporter, treat yourself to the Camosun Food Affair and savour 50 years of alumni success!

Dine in or take out delicious local fare at participating Camosun Food Affair establishments, Sept. 16 to 23. Keep an eye out for enticing Camosun-themed听dishes and beverages!

For a full list of participating eateries and info visit听and follow#CamosunEats听on social media.

Camosun Food Affair

September 16-23, 2021

Contact information

The 麻豆社 Foundation

Advancement and Alumni Engagement

250-370-4233

foundation@camosun.ca


Additional Contact Info

is open 7am - 11am for breakfast and 3pm - 9pm for dinner.听