Community

Culinary authenticity of AC Chef Instructor shines at Chef’s Table event  

Looking to celebrate a special occasion in the nation’s capital? Look no further! Algonquin College’s very own chef Tanya Skeates will be serving up a delicious farm-to-table feast as part of the Chef’s Table event held at the National Arts Centre (NAC) from Aug. 18 to Sept. 10.

Chef Tanya Skeates poses for a photo in her chef whites. One arm rests on the white table while the other props up her chin.

Chef Tanya Skeates poses for a photo in her chef whites.

Presented by the Festival of Small Halls, the event will offer a romantic canal-side experience with live musical entertainment and, most importantly, the thoughtfully curated three-course menus of five of Canada’s very best culinary minds.

Skeates has been fostering the creative artistry of budding chefs at the College for almost five years now and, when she’s not busy sharing her culinary expertise, she can be found dreaming up new culinary experiences of her own. However, it wasn’t the creative expression that drew her to a career in the kitchen but her wanderlust for travel.

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Kindness part of a universal language

“Pryvit i laskavo prosymo do Algonquin College” (hello and welcome to Algonquin College) may be a phrase you overhear if you are walking near the Spiritual Centre on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons. On those days, a group of over 120 recently arrived Ukrainians meet to learn English, with the help of a group of current and retired faculty and volunteers.

“We started with 20 people and it turned into hundreds of families calling me and writing asking for help,” said Yuriy Derkach, a professor of mechanical engineering and chaplain at the campus Spiritual Centre. Derkach also works for Student Support Services (SSS) and has been working with Ukrainian students and their families. He said that after arriving in Canada, the first request from refugees was to learn how to speak English. Continue reading →

‘Bizzy Barflies’ paddle for good at Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival  

Every year the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival attracts thousands of visitors from across Canada and beyond. This year was no different.

Roughly 200 teams competed in the nation’s capital over the weekend to row their hearts out and raise funds for the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation (ODBF), which to date has supported over 65 community-based non-profits, including Cornerstone Housing for Women, Shelter Movers Ottawa and Ottawa Anglican Day Programs.

This year, 21 brave Algonquin College employees took to the waters to compete for the first time in the Education Challenge Cup, alongside other teams whose members attend or work for educational institutions, administration, or associated parent advisory associations.

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