Hello everyone,
Last Friday on April 8th 2016, myself and other fellow students had the pleasure of attending the Dean’s Recognition Luncheon at our very own Chef’s House restaurant. There, we received certificates for our volunteering of GBC events.
When I started at George Brown College in January of 2015, I had no idea what to expect. It was the first time for me studying abroad in a foreign language. All I knew is that I wanted to do something more than just sitting in a classroom. As I am a very energetic person and love spending my time with people, I decided to do some research. I remembered from my orientation day the Dean’s Recognition Ambassadors who were very kind and helpful. After a few days I sent my email to the very very helpful Graeham Magee who I had found on the GBC website. I started to receive emails presenting different opportunities in which I could participate. During events organized by GBC we would collect stars. After obtaining 5 stars, you receive a Dean’s Recognition Certificate.
- My Dean’s Recognition Certificate
I had started volunteering by the next Orientation Day, where I had the opportunity to share my college experience with people who were thinking to join GBC. Another event was Room 4 Dessert. There I got to try the best desserts in the world prepared by our talented culinary students and meetings with famous chefs like Ruth Reichl. The best experience for me was Career Day. We accomodated over 40 hospitality companies in our school which were recruiting students for externships and jobs. My task was to take care of a few companies and make sure they had everything they needed during the fair. I was very proud to get such a responsible task. What I loved about those events was the networking, learning new skills and the amazing food that they always provide for us!
(both pictures from Dean’s Recognition Luncheon on April 8th, 2016 in Chef’s House)
Another interessting event I remember was Keep4Playing organised by Toronto’s city hall where I had the pleasure of meeting Toronto’s Mayor John Tory. My task there was serving snacks to the guests. What I liked in the Dean’s program is that every event we had was different and kept things interesting.
(Picture from Playing for Keeps organized held in City Hall on April 9th, 2015)
GBC also offers events that take part outside of school for different companies, such as Kostuch Media Limited (publisher of Hotelier and Foodservice & Hospitality magazines). There I worked at the Fairmont Hotel during the Pinnacle Awards.
I have made a lot of friends and the more I was participating the more faces I was recognizing while walking around school. I’m sure that a lot of them can become long term friendships. My advice for all 1st semester Students in the Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts is to join the Dean’s Recognition program and to participate as much as you can. I promise you that your time in college will be much more interessting. You will make a lot of friends and most importantly, gaining this experience will be very appreciated by your future employer.
Thank you for reading,
Kasia Walkow
George Brown College website – http://www.georgebrown.ca
Dean’s Recognition program – http://www.georgebrown.ca/current_students/academic_centres/HCA/deans_recognition_program/
Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts (CHCA) – http://www.georgebrown.ca/current_students/academic_centres/hca/
Life is a hotel 