Advanced Culinary Arts graduate named top young chef at international competition

Shannon Roussel, a 23-year-old chef at The Harvest  and Okanagan College alumna, won top honours in the Gladmat International Culinary Competition in Norway last week. Roussel was selected to enter the competition entitled, Flirting with Seafood, where she went head-to-head with other young chefs from Singapore, France, Spain and Norway.

Prior to the competition, participating chefs were challenged to build an extensive menu using four main ingredients: Norwegian Salmon, Halibut, Red King Crab and Jarlsberg cheese. Roussel spent many long hours coming up with her menu; an infusion of Okanagan cuisine with a Norwegian twist.

Roussel’s award-winning menu consisted of two courses. Her first course was singled out by judges as being the top course in the competition – it was also Roussel’s favorite. To start the competition off right, Roussel created a dynamic first course: cherry semi-cured salmon, pickled beet-maple emulsion, Jarlsberg spring cabbage and chanterelle crepe and granny smith apple-chervil salad.

Roussel graduated from the Advanced Culinary Arts diploma program this spring. To find out more about her achievement, read the public affairs press release.

Congratulations to Nancy Darling and Judy Reid

Nancy Darling and Judy Reid have won the third and fourth weekly Next Steps early bird registration prizes for the Okanagan College Next Steps Employee Learning Conference August 23 – 24, 2007. Nancy will enjoy a three-course table d'hote dinner  for two from Bouchons restaurant in Kelowna. Judy has won a one night standard accommodation for two at the Grand Okanagan in Kelowna. Judy and Nancy join fellow winners Stephanie Paul (second place) and Linda Bastien (first place).

If you haven't registered for Next Steps yet, go online to choose from a variety of learning workshops scheduled on Aug. 23 and 24. For more information contact Michelle Lowry.

Okanagan College Alumni Association welcomes new President

The alumni association is happy to introduce the new President of the association, Christina Ferreira. Christina graduated from OUC with a bachelor of business administration in 2000. Shortly thereafter she began working in sales and marketing at a high tech company. In 2002, Christina joined the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society and has been there since. Her enthusiasm for wine tourism, experience and education resulted in a quick rise up the company ladder. Christina has served on several boards including: entertainment director for the Kelowna Regatta 2004 & 2005, member of the advisory committee for the 2005 Life & Arts Festival, and media lead for the Kelowna and District Arts Council 2004.

Special thanks to Jamie Morrow

The alumni association would also like to recognize the work and dedication of past-president Jamie Morrow. Jamie served as president of the alumni association since his graduation from The Okanagan School of Business in 2004. Jamie's passion for and dedication to his alma mater helped him lead the association through the transition from OUC to Okanagan College. Jamie stepped down from the position to allow for new leadership after serving more than three years in the role. Jamie will remain on the alumni board of directors as past-president.

Get an Edge

Okanagan College's counselling services are offering a four-day student success course designed to prepare students and introduce them to the skills, knowledge and attitudes that contribute to student success in college. Introduction to College Studies (ICS 099) will take place from August 28-31 at the Penticton and Kelowna campuses. The course is free to all students admitted at Okanagan College. To register, go online or visit the Kelowna or Penticton campuses in person. For more information call 862-5488 in Kelowna or 492-4305 in Penticton.

Shifting Directions

A two-day conference on Human Resource strategies will take place in Vernon on Sept. 17-18, 2007. Shifting Directions will offer employees and career practitioners relevant strategies and tools to deal with the changing labour market and human resource challenges. An early bird registration fee is available at $199 plus GST. After Aug 17 the cost of registration goes up to $249 plus GST. For more information or to register visit: www.shiftingdirections.ca.




News of Shannon Roussel's victory at the Gladmat International Culinary Competition in Norway hit the pages of The Daily Courier, Kelowna chef wins culinary award in Norway and The Capital News, Harvest chef and his apprentice cook up winner.

In the last edition of Inside Okanagan College the 2007 Distinguished and Young Alumni Award winners were announced. Read more about winners Nick Arkle and Corinne Inman in articles published by The Daily Courier, OC grads honoured with alumni awards, The Penticton Herald, Inman wins OC alumni award and Castanet, OK College alumni awards.

The Osoyoos Times ran a feature article about the Okanagan College initiative that will see Jamaican students enroll at the College this fall. Read more in, Okanagan College welcomes Jamaican pupils.

Read Stan Chung's musings on the lure of real estate in his Daily Courier column, Finding the perfect place, the perfect life.

A feature article on Harold Rheinisch, winner of the 2007 George Ryga award appeared in the Vernon Morning Star. Read more about Rheinisch in, Book connects writer with his roots.

An article about the success of Okanagan College's Student Connections program appeared in the Vernon Morning Star, The power of small business.

The Salmon Arm Observer announced that Okanagan College Continuing Studies instructor Howard Soon will be a guest judge and speaker at the Golden Goblet Awards - an amateur wine making competition in the Shuswap. Howard will lend his expertise as a wine maker for Sandhill Wines and Andrew Peller Ltd. Read more about the competition in, Wine warms heart.

Alida Boyd to retire in October

After 27 years of dedicated service, Alida Boyd, Continuing Studies Program Administrator for the South Okanagan-Similkameen region, is retiring effective October 31, 2007. During her time with the College, Alida has seen the institution go through many changes. “I started my employment with the College in 1980, in a portable on School District property in Oliver," said Alida. "From there I moved to a vibrant downtown Oliver-Osoyoos Centre and then a new Campus in Penticton. The changes I have experienced have been incredible and exciting.” Please take some time to wish Alida well in her retirement, as she will be greatly missed.

Otti Brown

Otti Brown, Program Administrator on contract for the Revelstoke Centre, is no longer working with Okanagan College. Otti was a great addition to the Revelstoke staff and will be truly missed.  She has obtained a more secure employment position with Revelstoke Mountain Resort. We would like to wish her all the best in her future endeavors. In Otti's absence, please forward any of her future correspondence to Garry Pendergast and Janet Lemieux.

August 3, 2007, Vol. 1 Issue 9

Employee and Family Assistance Program

At Okanagan College we understand that as individuals we face a variety of challenges in our daily lives.  Often, we are able to resolve these challenges on our own or with the help of family and friends.  Sometimes, however, these challenges can seem a little overwhelming and during especially difficult times it is helpful to remember that Okanagan College provides confidential assistance for you and your family through Interlock Employee and Family Assistance Program. 
 
Appointments for counseling services can be arranged in person, by telephone or Internet-based counseling with an Interlock professional. Confidential appointments with licensed clinicians can be arranged at an office location that is close to your home or workplace at a time that is convenient for you. Counseling services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by contacting Interlock toll-free at 1-800-663-9099. 

Follow these links to read more about substance abuse and generational differences in the workplace.

50/50 winner announced

Congratulations to Janet Garland from Finance who won today's payday draw for $417.50. The Okanagan College Foundation 50/50 Staff Lottery is open to all employees of Okanagan College. If you wish to sign up for the lottery, registration forms are available from: Advancement & Alumni/Okanagan College Foundation office (P103, KLO Campus) or Human Resources (Landmark V, Kelowna) or online.

Return to regular office hours

This is a reminder that regular office hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) will resume on Tuesday, September 4 for those departments who held summer office hours.

2007-08 Holiday season closure

Okanagan College will be closed to the public during the holiday season from Saturday, December 22, 2007 to Tuesday, January 1, 2008 inclusive. Employees not working are expected to take vacation or leave without pay as outlined below. 

Please ensure that the following information is shared within your department.

Monday, December 24, 2007 - Support Staff floater.
Tuesday, December 25 - 26, 2007 - Christmas statutory holidays.
Thursday, December 27 - 28, 2007 - employees may book vacation days or leave without pay.
Monday, December 31, 2007 - employees book vacation day or leave without pay.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008 - New Year's statutory holiday.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - Okanagan College is open for business.

In accordance with Human Resources Procedure 8.3, on the last normal working day prior to Christmas Day, this year being Friday, December 21, 2007, departments may close at 3 p.m. During the closure, the heating in the buildings will be set to low -- if there are requirements for employees to work, Facilities Management should be notified.

Volunteers needed for orientation week in Kelowna

Last year an enthusiastic group of Kelowna staff members volunteered their time and smiles during orientation week and it was greatly appreciated by the orientation team and even more so by the students.  This year we have an even better plan for orientation. We are in the process of organizing campus greeters, information table representatives and “ask me” volunteers for the students' first week back. Volunteers are needed for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Sept. 4 - 6). Please see the volunteer descriptions below and let Christy Cave know if you would like to participate.
 
Campus greeters will work in high traffic areas on campus, and will be the first and last faces students will see as they arrive and leave campus. 
 
Information Table Representatives will be the host or hostess at one of the information tables around campus.
 
"Ask Me" Volunteers will wander the campus and will interact with students and answer questions.




Aug. 16 - Slo-pitch at the Kelowna campus will take place next Thursday, Aug 16 at 4:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend and anyone with questions can contact Nathan Bartlett.

Aug. 23-24 - Next Steps 2007. Join colleagues for this year's employee learning conference at the Kelowna campus. All College staff are invited to attend one of the two days to receive professional development, network with colleagues and provide feedback on issues affecting Okanagan College, its staff and students. For more information about Next Steps or to register, go online or contact Marian Gruber or Michelle Lowry.

Aug. 24 - The 2007 graduating class of Practical Nursing will celebrate their achievements at a convocation ceremony at the Kelowna campus lecture theatre at 1:30 p.m. Contact Stephanie Paul for more details.




Do you have comments, questions or a submission for INSIDE OKANAGAN COLLEGE? Please email Public Affairs c/o Christine Ulmer.

The next edition of INSIDE OKANAGAN COLLEGE will be issued on August 3, 2007.

Back to Top | Okanagan College Homepage