Yes Shef: Hundreds Come Together for An Unforgettable Evening to Celebrate Women in Vancouver’s Food and Beverage Industry
Yes Shef: Hundreds Come Together for An Unforgettable Evening to Celebrate Women in Vancouver’s Food and Beverage Industry
Annual tasting and fundraiser event returns on November 6 to showcase more than 20 female chefs, winemakers, sommeliers, and bartenders in an expanded format
Image: @Yes Shef
Image: @Yes Shef
Yes Shef, WORTH Association’s celebration of women in Vancouver’s food and beverage industry, is set to return on Monday, November 6hosted by Fairmont Pacific Rim, promising an evening of culinary excellence and empowerment.
Following sold-out success in 2019 and 2022, this year's event by Women of Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Association has been reimagined to accommodate even more attendees, ensuring a wider audience can experience not only an unforgettable evening but also the incredible culinary creations and beverages pairings from more than 20 of Vancouver’s top female-identifying chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and bartenders.
A unique feature of Yes Shef is the collaboration between participating chefs and student apprentices from the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. This mentorship program empowers the next generation of culinary talent by providing hands-on coaching and guidance in the creation and execution of a tasting item served up at the event. Renowned sommeliers, brewers and bar professionals will enhance the culinary experience with expertly curated selections.
"Yes Shef is a celebration of women in the hospitality community, a platform to recognize trailblazers, innovators, and champions for equality. WORTH Association is committed to ensuring the next generation of culinary talent receives mentorship opportunities,” said Joanna Jagger, Founder and CEO of WORTH Association. “This is the event I wish I had access to when I was starting my restaurant career, as I was often the only woman cooking on the line. It's crucial to showcase women role models in food and beverage, which is the key motivation for Yes Shef,” added Jagger.
This year’s fantastic line-up of participating chefs represents the wide spectrum of BC’s dazzling culinary scene, and includes:
Kate Siegel, Leah Patitucci & Chloe Sy, Fairmont Pacific Rim
Stacy Johnston and Minette Lotz, The Restaurant at Poplar Grove
Jessica Kwon, Cactus Club Cafe Bentall
With select chefs from Les Dames Escoffier, and more
Accompanying these talented trailblazers are these woman-identifying professionals from the world of wine and cocktails:
Nikki Callaway, O’Rourke Family Estate
Severine Pinte, Le Vieux Pin & La Stella
Lyndsay O’Rourke, Tightrope Winery
Shiva Reddy and Alexia David, Burdock and Co
Britt Hoorne, Bar Susu
With bar talent from Cactus Club Cafe, and Glowbal Group, and more
The event, held at Vancouver’s elegant Fairmont Pacific Rim in the Star Sapphire Room, will open its doors at 5:30 p.m. for general entry. Attendees will be treated to a reception-style format, featuring over 20 food and beverage tasting stations, guaranteeing a diverse and immersive culinary experience.
In addition to the exceptional gastronomic offerings, guests will also be entertained by live music from The Dimes, a silent auction and awards presentation, adding an exciting element to the festivities.
As a fundraising event, Yes Shef is grateful for support from its dedicated sponsors. Presenting Sponsor: Destination Vancouver, Elevate Sponsors: Gordon Food Service, Cactus Club Cafe and Mark Anthony; Educate Sponsors: San Pellegrino Canada, Vancity, Vision Event Photography; Empower Sponsors: Onni, JRoss Recruiters, BC Restaurant and Food Service Association, Indigenous Tourism BC, Bespoke Decor, and Citywide Printing; Media Sponsor: Vancouver is Awesome, Business in Vancouver; Venue Sponsor: Fairmont Pacific Rim.
To date, WORTH Association has proudly matched over 100 mentee/mentor pairs, and raised over $10,000 for scholarships for women-identifying students. Yes Shef is a marquee event for the organization and funds raised from the unforgettable evening of food, drink, music, and celebration will help WORTH continue its mission to educate, elevate and empower women in the recreation, tourism and hospitality fields.
TICKETS
General admission tickets for Yes Shef 2023 are $200 per person and can be purchased via the event website: worthassociation.com/yes-shef-2023
Image: @Yes Shef
ABOUT WORTH ASSOCIATION | WORTH Association is an incorporated non-profit society for women of recreation, tourism and hospitality in British Columbia. WORTH provides an inclusive network for self-identifying women with no barriers to entry. A grassroots non-profit, WORTH Association is supported by a Board of Directors, volunteers and a dedicated staff member. The Association’s advocacy efforts, events and resources have reached 5000 women in leadership since 2018. WORTH offers mentorship, networking and professional development to educate, elevate and empower women in the sector. | worthassociation.com | @worth.association
Image: @Yes Shef
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 Willow Stream 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
Image: @Yes Shef
