DC alumna Victoria Rinsma is Canadian finalist in S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition Posted on November 18, 2024 at 1:47 pm. Young chef and Durham College (DC) Culinary Skills alumna Victoria Rinsma recalls first learning about the S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition as a student from Raul Sojo, executive chef of DC’s teaching-inspired restaurant Bistro ’67. Today she’s the Canadian finalist, and headed for the world competition in Milan, Italy, next fall. Rinsma’s winning dish was called “Across the Sea and Home Again,” a two-part meal that includes a chawanmushi (Japanese savory egg custard) made with smoked ham hock, and a main course of striped bass with nixtamalized butternut squash and preserved tomatoes. Rinsma says her dish represents her culinary journey, with the first part an ode to her grandmother’s split pea soup and the second to her culinary development and especially the influence of her mentor Rafael Covarrubias, executive chef at the Michelin-star Hexagon Restaurant in Oakville, Ontario, where Rinsma has worked for the past six years and is now sous chef. “I wanted the dish to convey my story, all the people I’ve met and the cultures I’ve practiced cooking,” said Rinsma. S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition is now in its sixth edition and receives submissions from more than 1,000 young chefs from 15 countries worldwide. The Canadian final was held at George Brown College in October, where each chef had five hours to produce their signature dish before presenting it to a panel of top chef judges. Rinsma’s win was a culmination of months of training with her mentor (a previous Pellegrino competitor) who worked with her on timing, flavours and process. Rinsma has known she wanted to be a chef from an early age, and recalls watching cooking shows with her grandmother, pretending to stir pots of water alongside the chefs. Calling her grandmother an excellent home cook and the inspiration for her own professional aspirations, Rinsma started cooking seriously herself in high school. Growing up in Pickering, Durham College was a natural choice for her training, and Rinsma threw herself into both the program and into the mentorship she found at Bistro ’67. “I can’t say enough good things about the program and my experience. I dove in and did as much as I could. I started working in the Bistro in my first year—I was really keen. When Chef Raul started, we worked really well together, and he even allowed me to be part of menu development,” said Rinsma, adding that she even first heard of her current restaurant Hexagon while at DC. Now that she is focused on competing in Milan, Rinsma knows that she will have many more hours of training ahead as she refines her dish even further and steadies herself for the challenges of competition. “I’ll have to prepare myself mentally for that, the first round was a lot, and the finals will be even more,” says Rinsma, noting that her mentor also went to Milan, so she plans to call on his expertise along with the rest of the advisors she is gathering around her, calling it a team effort. “It was not just me that was in the competition, it was a huge group effort, and I’m lucky enough to be the face of it.” Durham College Food Access Bursary helps students experiencing food insecurity during the holidays Posted on November 15, 2024 at 3:34 pm. As the cost of food continues to be a challenge for many students, Durham College’s (DC) Food Access Bursary can serve as a relief, supplementing grocery costs over the holiday season. The bursary is funded by the DC community -- including employees, alumni, students and the Durham College Student Association (DCSA) -- who donate during November and December so that students navigating challenges can receive support for the purchase of food during the holiday season. Last year, almost $200,000 was distributed, supporting 1,150 students. Cora Reid was among those students. “The holidays can be a very stressful time for students,” she said. “With OSAP as my only source of income, there simply wasn’t enough funds for something as simple as a holiday dinner. I was truly grateful for the support of the Food Access Bursary.” Tara Koski, DC’s Dean, Students, says the escalating cost of living — including rising housing and grocery costs — presents a tremendous challenge for many students. “By pursuing a college education, students are laying the foundation for future success,” she said. “But as they work to realize their goals it’s crucial for us as a college community to help by easing some of the pressures they face and that includes addressing food access over the holidays.” The Durham College Alumni Association is matching the first $10,000 raised so every dollar contributed has twice the power to make a positive change in students’ lives. “I’m hopeful our community will come together and support our students so they can focus on learning,” said Ariel Sully, Associate Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations at DC. “Donations to the Food Access Bursary are an investment in a brighter future for our students and their families.” Donations are welcome until December 31 and gifts of more than $20 are eligible for a charitable donation receipt for income tax purposes in the 2024 tax year. Contributions can be made online by selecting the “Food Access Bursary” option from the designation list. The DCSA has generously committed to support this initiative this again this year, donating $60,000 towards the bursary. Applications for the bursary are open to DC students from November 15 to 29. Bursaries will be awarded in December. Are you a student who needs a little extra help this season? Learn more about applying for the Food Access Bursary. Outstanding Durham College alumni nominated for 2024 Premier’s Awards Posted on September 3, 2024 at 2:18 pm. Durham College is proud to celebrate five exceptional alumni nominated for the 2024 Premier’s Award. The awards have been presented by Colleges Ontario since 1992 and they recognize outstanding college graduates who are making an impact in Ontario and throughout the world. More than 100 graduates are nominated for a Premier’s Award each year, which recognizes achievements in areas such as health care, science, technology and engineering, community services, the arts, business and the skilled trades. “At DC, we’re more than 114,500 alumni strong and we’re proud to select these five graduates who have built successful careers and made a significant impact on the lives of others,” said Bonnie St. George, Vice President, People, Equity and External Relations at Durham College (DC). “Our nominees this year not only excel in their chosen fields, they are also making important contributions to their communities including advancing diversity and mental health.” Jeremy Burns – Law & Security Administration Class of 2004; Penology and Youth, Class of 2005 Aaron Dale – Police Foundations, Class of 2005 Building on their college education and military service, Toronto police officers Jeremy Burns and Aaron Dale co-founded the Military Veterans Wellness Program (MVWP), designed to help law enforcement members support veterans in crisis. MVWP has been endorsed by organizations including Veterans Affairs Canada, National Defence’s Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group, Royal Canadian Legion, and is now part of mandatory training for Toronto police officers. They are nominated in the Community Services category. Chris Cull – Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician, Class of 2007 Founder of Inspire By Example, Chris Cull is a motivational speaker and filmmaker who uses his experience as a recovering opioid user to advocate for mental health and addiction recovery. He has cycled across Canada twice and produced two films to raise awareness and educate the public, transforming many lives. Chris has shared his expertise at numerous notable events, including the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. He is nominated in the Health Sciences category. Shelby Nelson – Sport Administration, Class of 2000 With a love for sports and community, Shelby Nelson, has dedicated 24 years to the Toronto Blue Jays organization. With a DC education as a foundation, Shelby’s career trajectory has seen him rise to Vice President of Florida Operations where he leads a team responsible for Spring Training, the Dunedin Blue Jays, and the Player Development Complex. As the local face of the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Shelby is a respected community leader and a champion of diversity. He is nominated in the Business category. Paula Sojo – Video Production, Class of 2024 At the age of 18, Paula Sojo was diagnosed with a severe case of Crohn’s disease, resulting in 17 surgeries and a permanent ostomy. Determined to help others, she teamed up with her brother to found Ostome Fashion, a thriving business that provides fashionable and empowering options to all ostomy users. With help from family, friends and mentors, she has not only changed her life, but promoted representation and acceptance and empowered her community. She is nominated in the Recent Graduate category. The winners of the Premier’s Awards will be announced on November 25, 2024. Good luck to all the DC nominees!
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