On October 12, approximately 25 Conestoga culinary and hospitality students volunteered their time and skills to prepare pancakes for visitors at the 38th Annual Free Oktoberfest Family Breakfast. The community event was hosted at Bingemans and presented in partnership with 570 News, CHYM 96.7 and Country 106.7 to support the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
Hospitality and culinary students supported the annual Oktoberfest family pancake breakfast at Bingemans on October 12. Donations collected during the event provide meals for families in need throughout Waterloo Region.
“This is a good opportunity to make connections and friends,” said Culinary Skills student Alicia Barbosa who moved to Canada from Portugal two years. “This is my first Oktoberfest and I like that making breakfast for everyone means we can help others.”
Donations collected during the breakfast will provide meals for families in need throughout the region.
Jason Coyle, a first-year Culinary Management co-op student, was on site to help set up the grilling areas and begin preparations at 3:30 a.m. He said part of the reason he volunteered was to gain experience with large volumes. Students and faculty planned to make approximately 20,000 pancakes throughout the morning.
During the breakfast, faculty member Chef Philippe Saraiva was invited to accept the Family & Cultural Events Award presented by K-W Oktoberfest Inc. The award was presented to organizers of the family breakfast to recognize it as best overall Oktoberfest event in the region. Saraiva has been involved with the event for more than two decades and said students have helped prepare more than 700,000 pancakes over the years.
Conestoga’s School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts is a leader in culinary and hospitality programming that prepares students for successful careers in Canada’s dynamic tourism industry. As part of their learning experience, students operate Bloom, a full-service, licensed dining room.