BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in relation to a story titled 'Georgian culinary students hone skills at CFB Borden', published on June 11.
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Georgian College was overwhelmed by the response to the fire that broke out on June 5 on the second floor of the hospitality building at our Barrie campus. Many business leaders and partners reached out to personally express their concern and offer support. This, to me, was a true testament to the incredible partnerships the college has across the region.
In particular, I want to thank Canadian Forces Base Borden for moving so swiftly to help accommodate several of our chef and front-of-house technologists and approximately 100 students from Georgian’s culinary and hospitality programs over the summer. Without access to commercial-grade facilities, these students were at risk of not completing their semester.
Our students thoroughly enjoyed working in the Food Services Training Cadre while our labs at the Barrie campus were restored. Thanks to Base Borden’s support, they were able to complete all the hands-on learning they typically would in our Georgian Dining Room and Bun on the Run labs.
Many students commented that this stressful time was made easier thanks to Base Borden. I know it was a particularly poignant experience for first-year culinary management student Don Scandrett, who recently retired from a 31-plus-year career in the military police – and felt right at home!
As the story from June indicated, it was also the first time Georgian students served a meal to Canadian Armed Forces members. What an inspiring opportunity to build comradery between the college and base.
We are grateful for the members of the Canadian Forces who took the opportunity to personally connect with our students and for their continued service and contributions to Canada.
Georgian is extremely proud to be part of the Barrie community. This experience has shown that, together, we are as strong and resilient as ever.
MaryLynn West-Moynes
Georgian College, president and CEO
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