Students grow, cook and host DC’s Harvest Dinner under the stars

As the seasons change and fall arrives, Durham College (DC) celebrates the harvest with a tradition that brings together food, learning, sustainability, and community.

On September 24, guests gathered under the stars at the Whitby campus for DC’s annual Harvest Dinner, an outdoor dining experience prepared and hosted by students and employees from across the college.

The evening showcased DC’s field-to-fork-to-field philosophy in action. Horticulture Technician and Food and Farming students helped grow and harvest ingredients from the fields at the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, while students from Culinary Skills and Hospitality Skills programs worked with guidance from faculty to prepare and serve the meal.

From growing food in the fields to preparing it in the kitchen and welcoming guests at the table, students played a role in every stage of the evening. The event gave them an opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting, work alongside faculty and industry professionals, and experience what their future careers could look like.

“The Harvest Dinner brings our fields, kitchens and classrooms together in one memorable night,” said DC President Dr. Elaine Popp. “Our students grow the food, prepare the meal and welcome the guests, building skills that lead to rewarding careers in food, farming and hospitality. It’s a proud reminder of what happens when learning is connected to community and to the land.”

The Harvest Dinner also reflects DC’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The field-to-fork-to-field approach connects growing and preparing food with the return of nutrients to the soil, giving students an opportunity to explore sustainable practices and the importance of caring for the land.

The evening was made possible through the generous contributions of our event sponsors: Feast On, Gervais Party & Tent Rentals, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery, Leaf, The Rustic Board and Selbie’s Select Produce Ltd. Their support helps create opportunities for students to put their learning into practice while connecting DC with industry and local partners.

For the students behind the Harvest Dinner, the night was about more than demonstrating their skills. They worked as a team, took on responsibility and saw their learning bear fruit around the dinner table.