While some might dread the upcoming Friday the 13th, that’s not the case for Mr. (Justin) Borsato’s Grade Seven class at Britannia Elementary School.
That’s because April 13, is the day his students will descend upon the Fairmont Waterfront to prepare a four-course fundraising dinner with a helping hand from executive chef Karan Suri and the hotel's culinary team for an event dubbed Britannia Kid'chen Cook-Off.
The students are raising money for a cultural exchange program that will allow the inner city kids to travel to Wabasca Hamlet, an indigenous community in northern Alberta approximately 125 kilometres outside of Slave Lake. For many of the students it will not only be the first time they’ve travelled outside of Vancouver, but even more fun, it will be their first time on a plane.
“This will be the third annual Kid’chen event, but this year it’s moved from the school to the hotel,” says Borsato. “Not only does it allow more ticket sales, there’s a lot more atmosphere than our gym, plus a live band and dancing. We couldn’t have done it without the hotel, which has so generously volunteered their time and expertise to work with the kids.”
Borsato says PSAV event planners is donating the audio visual equipment and the food and linens are being supplied. As well, the Fairmont Waterfront’s team has volunteered to serve.
“We even have the general manager signed up as a waiter alongside our kids, so there are no labour costs and every penny goes towards the trip. Our dinner last year raised $8,840, and we are optimistic that we can surpass it,” says Borsato.
The four-course menu includes spring pea and mint soup with crisp chickpeas; shaved asparagus and arugula salad with honey lemon dressing; pan-seared B.C. salmon with dill and sour cream potatoes, heritage carrots and sorrel emulsion; and dark chocolate and caramel ganache tart with seasonal berries and white chocolate cremeux.
The 27 students have been on a field trip to the hotel where the banquet team taught them how to fold napkins, arrange place setting and serve tables. The students also met with the chef to discuss menus and see the kitchen. On the big day, the kids will return to assist with prep and have dinner at the hotel before the event begins.
Tickets are $75 per person and 100 per cent of ticket and cash bar sales support the cultural exchange program. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and no alcohol will be served during that portion of the evening. An after-party with drinks and a cash bar takes place following dinner to round out the night.
Tickets can be reserved through Borsato at jborsato@yahoo.com. For more information visit arcdining.com/event/britannia-kidchen-cook-off.
sthomas@vancourier.com
@sthomas10
