COOKSCAMP Mission
Presented by the Chefs’ Table Society of BC in support of moving our industry forward and to the upcoming, highly anticipated Culinary Arts Centre, COOKSCAMP will be the first event of its kind in Canada, a special outdoor jamboree designed for some of the country’s hardest workers.
A Celebration of the Canadian culinary industry
brought to you by cooks for cooks, fostering knowledge, camaraderie and the sustainability of our profession. Providing hands-on learning, once in a lifetime feasting, and the rare camaraderie that comes with sharing experiences outside the chaos of the kitchen!
Showing how cooks are there for other cooks
COOKSCAMP is a rare opportunity to , to mentor them and lead them to become a better cook and to reunite them with where their food comes from and help reignite the passion that led to a life in culinary.
All Hospitality Staff Are Welcome
Culinary student, stagiaire, dishwasher, commis, garde-manger, sous chef, chef de cuisine or executive chef – all kitchen staff will be welcome, no matter the position. All front of house staff are welcome too! COOKSCAMP will be a fun, safe, and unforgettable experience for everyone — a rustic, totally British Columbian celebration of and for and by the people who make our lives so delicious!
This event was originally meant to happen in 2020 because our industry was suffering through a period of human resources scarcity leading to problems in hiring and retention of personnel. This epidemic continues and stems from many different sources but a unique one in our industry is the isolation cooks/chefs feel and the lack of nurturing our industry provide. Add to that, the lack of continuing development if one does not have the opportunity to work for a training-oriented organization and the profile of the younger generation and you are in a crisis situation. The pandemic has only increased this problem so our coming together to discuss and move our industry forward is even more critical.
Anchored by seminars, real-time demonstrations and practical workshops, COOKSCAMP will be that focus on the real-world aspects of a cook’s life. From expert guidance on butchery and farm-to-table agriculture to spirited presentations and round table discussions on mental health, the future of our industry which will all culminate in a special dinner on the farm, Canada’s Largest Staff Meal. The entire itinerary is being structured by working cooks for working cooks.
Who We Are
Founded in 2004, The Chefs’ Table Society of British Columbia is a province-wide collaborative dedicated to creating a foundation for the exchange of information between culinary professionals. We support innovative and sustainable programs that will inspire, educate and nurture our chefs, our producers and our local food industry. We promote standards of excellence with the aim of enhancing the reputation of our regional cuisine.
Other Events and Initiatives
Spot Prawn Festival
The Curry Cup
Swine Out Vancouver
Wild Salmon Celebration
Apprentice of the Year
Culinary Scholarships
Culinary Centre
All money raised through charitable donations and sponsorship of COOKSCAMP are going towards a brick and mortar building – the CTS Culinary Arts Centre. This project is an original and unique concept; it will curate culinary educational resources in one location and will be accessible to all hospitality professionals of any level to help further their development. It will be a multi-faceted hub that will have a library, a space for educational events, as well as retail components for all visitors. It will also be a cultural centre to teach about cuisine from cultures such as Indigenous, Japanese, Chinese and other south Asian communities that all contributed the building of British Columbia. It will house resource material, from entrepreneurial references and small business incubation to business development and expansion, resources for building and running a restaurant, all aspects related to the culinary and hospitality industries, a local Indigenous ingredient index, special sections regarding wine & spirits, and a database of auxiliary businesses that are utilized by the hospitality industry. The Centre will be open to the public for their enjoyment through various events and activities.
COOKSCAMP 2023 is being organized with the help of 17 Black Events, who are known for delivering legendary experiences such as Brewery and the Beast!
Chefs’ Table Society could not be happier to have them as a partner.
