Trades and Apprenticeship

I have been with OC since 1999 and the Associate Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship since 2016. Prior to that, I was an instructor and Chair with the Office Administration Department. I hold a Bachelor's of Elementary Education, a Master's in Adult, Higher and Workplace Learning, and am currently enrolled in an Educational Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership. I enjoy the intricacies and challenges of my leadership role, as I work to make OC’s mission statement a reality for Trades students, instructors and staff.

Okanagan College Culinary Arts apprenticeship Instructor, past chairman and president of the Okanagan Chefs Association, wine lover and raconteur extraordinaire are just a few of the toques that that I have worn over the years. With four decades of award-winning experience behind me, the obsession for great food, simply prepared with passionately produced local products only burns brighter. Having called the Okanagan home for close to 20 years, I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to provide culinary inspiration for many great wine producers in the valley including Mission Hill, Cedar Creek, Blue Mountain and Andrew Peller, among others. The best advice I could give to all young chefs looking for education and inspiration? Go work on a farm... After a classic apprenticeship, I departed to Europe to do the typical travel, eat and work thing, at the time thinking I knew a fair bit about cooking. Ending up on a small family farm in southern Germany, what I soon came to realize was that I knew nothing about food. And there is a huge difference between the two. To see products destined for the table being raised, weeded, milked and vinified, etc., to witness first-hand the tremendous effort it takes to produce great food, will undoubtedly make a huge impact on the way any young cook views their profession.

Credentials:
Red Seal Endorsed Chef

Enrollment management, policies and procedures, client services, student advising, SkilledTradesBC Plan

The Trades Success Centre provides assistance for Trades students in all areas of their studies, including math, writing, learning strategies, study skills and other areas.

Hours: Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.