NEWS FLASH – October 2020
Les Marmitons – Waterloo Region supports “Youer Than You” with a memorial donation in memory of Co-Founder, Tom Motz.
The Waterloo Chapter of Les Marmitons, has provided support to the Youer Than You fundraiser for mental health programming targeted at the Region’s hospitality industry workers.
The $1,000 donation was made to honour Founding Co-President, Tom Motz, who died earlier this year. Together with individual contributions by Chapter members it was matched dollar for dollar by a local charitable foundation.
Mike Collins, Acting President, said “Even though our Chapter’s in-person cooking activities have been suspended due to the pandemic, we feel it is important to tangibly express our support for the Region’s chefs, restaurant owners and workers who have supported us in the past, and during what is an incredibly stressful time for them.”
Past President, Bryan Tank added “We also wanted to honour our co-founder Tom, a great food lover and supporter of the restaurant industry locally. He was a skilled cook with a generous personality, and ever-ready with a story or joke.”
Mike Collins (r) presents cheque to Jon Rennie (middle) and Wes Klassen,
organizers of the Youer Than You fundraiser
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Waterloo Region’s chapter of Les Marmitons, an international cooking club for men interested in fine food, wine and the culinary arts, is investing in the future of fine dining in our community through a scholarship program for students in Conestoga College’s hospitality and culinary programs.
The club has established a special scholarship and bursary fund that provides support for deserving students in Conestoga’s hospitality and culinary programs into the future. The Chapter has donated ~$30,000 in total to the fund and currently supports five scholarships and bursaries annually for students in the culinary and hospitality programs, including an international scholarship for a student participating in the Bocuse Institute program.
“We appreciate the commitment that Les Marmitons have shown in supporting students pursuing careers in the culinary and hospitality industries,” said Conestoga president John Tibbits. “As well as the direct support the scholarships provide, students will also have opportunities to enrich their skills and connect with culinary enthusiasts as they engage with Les Marmitons members and visiting chefs.”
The local chapter of Les Marmitons International is one of 18 across Canada and the U.S. Founded in 2015 by 20 Charter Members recruited by inaugural Co-Presidents, Alex Bielak and Tom Motz – both of whom had been members of other chapters – the group is hosted by the Hospitality and Culinary Arts Program at Conestoga College, cooking at the stunning new facilities the College’s Waterloo campus. There they gain knowledge and experience in the preparation and presentation of various fine cuisines under the direction of professional chefs. Visit the chapter’s Facebook page to see photos of all our past events as well as the video produced for us by our good friends at Arc Media.
“We are grateful to Conestoga for formalizing a long-term partnership that provides us with a terrific home for years to come, and intend to build on our initial commitment as the club grows,” said Alex Bielak, founding co-president of the chapter.
“Our members want to help publicize all that the college has to offer, and provide support in the development of a centre of excellence that draws participants from across the culinary world,” added co-president Tom Motz.
Conestoga’s School of Business and Hospitality provides a broad range of culinary and hospitality programs to prepare students for successful careers in the growing hospitality industry. As part of their learning experience, students operate Bloom, a full-service, licensed dining room at the Waterloo campus that is open to the public. For more information, visit bloomatconestoga.ca
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