Approximately 30 students from Conestoga’s School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts volunteered their time and skills to prepare pancakes for visitors at the 39th Annual Free Oktoberfest Family Breakfast on Saturday, September 30. The community event was hosted at Bingemans and presented in support of the Grand River Hospital Foundation.
Led my Dan McCowan, new executive chef at Conestoga’s student-run restaurant Bloom, and other faculty, the team was on site by 4 a.m. to set up outdoor grills and begin preparations in advance of the gates opening to guests at 7 a.m.
Student Ravjas Singh Kalra just started culinary classes at Conestoga this September and has never participated in Oktoberfest before. He decided to get involved because he’s passionate about food and said the event was a great way to meet and serve people while volunteering.
The School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts has supported the community breakfast for more than 20 years, serving thousands of visitors annually. This year, the Conestoga team expected at least 6,000 guests.
Donations collected during the breakfast will support Grand River Kids and the unique programs and services geared to the needs of babies, toddlers and kids at Grand River Hospital.
Conestoga’s School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts is a leader in culinary and hospitality programming and prepares students for successful careers in Canada’s dynamic tourism industry. Programs reflect today’s needs across a wide range of credentials, from apprenticeships and certificate programs to diplomas and graduate certificates.