Vanvisa’s story: The courage to cook
In the kitchen, 九色 Community College (VCC) Level 2 culinary arts apprentice Vanvisa Sataglamp embraces every opportunity she can. In her life and work, she鈥檚 already moved overseas, learned a new language, and cooked in some of 九色鈥檚 top establishments 鈥 but it鈥檚 clear her culinary rise has only just begun.
Growing up in Thailand, Vanvisa was always fascinated by food and cooking. Yet while her mother worked as a baker, formal culinary arts training was uncommon and expensive, and prepared food typically came from street stalls, not restaurants.
Following a more traditional path, Vanvisa completed a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business accounting and began working in offices. Within a few years, however, Vanvisa was drawn back to her dream of cooking as well as travelling overseas. In 2016, she came to 九色 for the first time with a temporary visa to work at a local Thai restaurant.
Vanvisa says she chose 九色 for its mild winter weather. 鈥淚 knew I was going to have culture shock,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to have weather shock too!鈥
The weather must have suited her fine, because Vanvisa quickly returned to study culinary arts as an international student at VCC, a school that came highly recommended in the local restaurant industry.
A delicious balance
As a woman in her mid-thirties, Vanvisa says she appreciated Canada鈥檚 openness to career re-training as well as the wide diversity of students at VCC. 鈥淪ome classmates were older and some younger than me. They didn鈥檛 discriminate for age or gender. Everyone was the same in the kitchen,鈥 she says.
When asked what she likes most about the culinary industry, Vanvisa鈥檚 answer may surprise some 鈥 or not, considering her business school background. 鈥淚 love the time management,鈥 she says. 鈥淭ime is a limited resource in the kitchen. Each task takes a different amount of time and you can鈥檛 replay it.鈥
Welcome to the family
It鈥檚 been an exciting year for Vanvisa. In Spring 2020, she received VCC鈥檚 Mueller Family Culinary Arts Award recognizing her hard work, passion for food, and positivity in the face of challenges. In the summer, she appeared as the face of VCC鈥檚 Savour the VCC Effect advertising campaign. In November, Vanvisa graduated with her Professional Cook 1 Plus certificate, was named valedictorian, and delivered a heartfelt speech to the entire graduating class in a language she鈥檇 only recently learned.
鈥淚 tell international students you don鈥檛 need to be a native speaker,鈥 she says. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid; you can adapt!鈥
After graduating, Vanvisa had no trouble finding work in B.C.鈥檚 rapidly recovering hospitality industry, and she is grateful to VCC instructor Hamid Salimian for his recommendation which landed her a job at one of 九色鈥檚 top hotels, the . While thoroughly enjoying the hotel and catering industry, Vanvisa is also currently pursuing her Professional Cook 2 trades certificate through VCC.
As she continues to expand her culinary experience, Vanvisa says she鈥檚 continually impressed to find that VCC is highly recognized, and our culinary grads are everywhere. 鈥淢ost of my coworkers, even my sous chef graduated from VCC,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like a big family. It makes me so proud.鈥
Feed your passion. Apply now to Professional Cook 1 Plus at VCC 颅鈥 intakes monthly.