Table of Transformation
In a warm, bustling kitchen tucked within LaSalle College Vancouver, something remarkable was happening. Knife blades glinted under bright lights as a group of young Indigenous learners, many of whom had traveled from far, remote Indigenous reservations. Around them, chefs coached, encouraged, and smiled—watching as the learners carefully honed new skills, tempered chocolate, plated dishes.
This wasn’t just a class, nor was it just a meal. It was a conversation, made up of sharing flavours and shared stories, centred on the simple, profound act of coming together around food.
For Chef Mandy Vial, Head of Baking & Pastry Faculty, the experience was unforgettable:
There was a moment during our class when everyone was engaging with each other, and lifelong bonds were being made. I could not be more proud of how hard everyone worked for the five-course dinner. Each and every learner rose to the occasion. I learned as much from these amazing learners as they learned from me.
A Vision with Heart
The catalyst for this extraordinary week was Dwight Ballantyne, founder of The Ballantyne Project. His initiative strives to connect youth from remote reserves to opportunities in the wider world while raising awareness about the everyday, as well as the challenges of, life in those communities. The learners’ visit to LaSalle College Vancouver wasn’t just about learning to cook—it was about stepping out of their comfort zones, into a new space where they could thrive.
“To see young Indigenous learners step outside their comfort zones to learn baking and knife skills, and then come together for a group dinner… it was inspiring,” said Chef Julian Bond, Program Director of Culinary Arts. “Although nervous at first, they quickly found a sense of safety and comfort, which allowed their confidence to grow. Experiences like these empower and motivate youth, creating lasting benefits for future generations.”
Dwight’s vision resonated deeply with the LaSalle College Vancouver team, whose chefs and staff worked to craft an experience that would challenge, excite, and nurture their guests.
“The youth were curious and engaged in what they were being taught,” said Chef Christine Couvelier, Strategic & Culinary Initiatives. “They all spoke about how they wanted to share their new knowledge when they returned home. The incredible journey that Dwight Ballantyne has been on is inspirational. Hearing his vision and his consideration for these youth, who he genuinely cares so much about, is the true meaning of sharing your passion for life.”
More Than a Meal
For the LaSalle College Vancouver community, the experience became a kind of mirror. Far beyond instructing culinary techniques, for us at LaSalle College Vancouver, this experience acted as a mirror: It was an opportunity to reflect on what it means to share experiences, exchange realities, and welcome or seek out new perspectives. Mostly, it was a window to the ultimate simplicity, and humanity, of creating meaningful change.
Dr. Jamie Kemp, Chief Academic Officer, put it this way:
Hosting the Ballantyne Project at LaSalle College Vancouver helped bring our community together for a truly special experience. We talk a lot about the need to decolonize our institutions, especially in higher education. Bringing experiences like the Ballantyne Project into our school helps make this need feel ‘real’ and meaningful. In a small way, our team got to experience the joy of collaboration and learn some skills around making space for different viewpoints and ways of knowing. I think we got as much or more out of the Project than the learners!
This was never more apparent than during the five-course fundraising dinner that closed the week. The dishes the learners helped prepare weren’t just plates of food—they were the culmination of hours of work, learning, and overcoming fears. Every detail on every plate spoke to the pride and effort of those who made it.
An Open Invitation
As the learners journeyed home, the chefs, faculty, and staff of LaSalle College Vancouver found themselves changed by the experience. Their kitchen had transformed from classroom to bridge, connecting cultures, perspectives, and hearts.
“We might have impacted their lives,” Chef Christine reflected, “but our lives were truly changed because of The Ballantyne Project.”
For Chef Mandy, the hope is that this connection is just the beginning. “I hope our paths cross again,” she shares. “As I am forever changed.”
Some meals nourish the body. Others nourish the soul. The dinner created by LaSalle College Vancouver and The Ballantyne Project was both. It reminded everyone involved of the simple yet extraordinary power of coming together—with open hands, open hearts, and a shared table.
