Enhancing Local Talent: a new Center for Food, Wine, and Tourism
On Monday June 26, 2024 the Okanagan College celebrated the ground-breaking ceremony of the development for the highly anticipated and newly designed Center for Food, Wine, and Tourism. The ceremony gathered culinary students, instructors, chefs, and businesses from the food, beverage, and hospitality and resort industries. The Okanagan is world renowned for being one of Canada’s top-producing wine regions, a rich agricultural presence, and a haven for all self-proclaimed foodies.
“I was absolutely thrilled to represent Big White Ski Resort today at the unveiling of the new Center of Food, Wine and Tourism at Okanagan College. This truly is a game changer. We hire over a thousand seasonal staff at the resort and when you have trained culinary, wine, and tourism professionals right in your backyard - you feel honoured and very lucky. This will enhance our Okanagan Valley for many many years to come” said Michael J. Ballingall, President of Big White Ski Resort.
Many of our resort restaurants are proud to use local Okanagan produce as we have a rich history in producing outstanding food and wine in the region. With a $55 million investment in the development of the new Okanagan College's Center for Food, Wine, and Tourism, more students will be given the tools they need to succeed in boundary county. The programs will be able to enroll over 500 students each year, helping shape our regions food, hospitality and tourism scene into a dynamic and unique place for residents and visitors alike.
Our resort is the largest employer of seasonal workers in Kelowna. This new Center for Food, Wine, and Tourism will produce countless culinary professionals each year that will help our resort to become even more centered around local talent. The programs will also help to nurture the current relationships with environmentally conscious and sustainable farms and orchards in the area, giving students the chance to learn about local supply chains and sustainability through farm-to-fork and grape-to-glass methods.
Smoking of any kind (including tobacco, marijuana, e-cigarettes and vaporizers) is strictly prohibited anywhere on Big White Ski Resort property outside of designated smoking areas. Applies to summer and winter seasons. Mountain Safety Info >>
