Vikram Vij named NAIT’s 2016 Chef in Residence

Published on February 08, 2016

Program gives NAIT Culinary Arts students an opportunity to learn from the best chefs in North America

Renowned Canadian chef, entrepreneur, and television personality Vikram Vij has been named the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s 2016 Hokanson Chef in Residence.

The Chef in Residence program, now in its eighth year, provides students in NAIT’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts with a rare opportunity to learn firsthand from the best chefs in North America. This year’s residency runs from March 7-11, 2016.

The School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts is giving away four pairs of tickets to an exclusive luncheon which takes place March 10. Vij will work with students to prepare the meal. The online contest opens today and runs until Sunday, Feb. 28.

The Hokanson Chef in Residence program kicked off with Canadian celebrity chef Rob Feenie in 2009, followed by David Adjey in 2010, Susur Lee in 2011, Massimo Capra in 2012, Chris Cosentino in 2013, Lynn Crawford in 2014 and Michael Stadtländer in 2015. The program was made possible as a result of a generous donation from John and Susan Hokanson.

QUICK FACTS

  • Vij was born in India in 1964 and moved to Canada in 1989 to work at the Banff Springs Hotel.
  • In 1994, he opened Vij’s Restaurant in Vancouver, which has become world renowned as one of the finest Indian dining experiences.
  • Today, Vij and business partner Meeru Dhalwala own three restaurants, a mobile food truck and a food production facility.
  • Vij has appeared on Top Chef Canada (Food Network), Chopped Canada (Food Network) and CBC’s Recipe to Riches. He was also the first Indo-Canadian dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den.
  • He’s the co-author of two cookbooks, Vij’s: Elegant & Inspired Indian Cuisine and Vij’s At Home: Relax, Honey.

QUOTES

Chef Vikram Vij 
“Namaste! Learning is a journey, whether it’s travelling around the world to experience new cultures and diversity, or learning how to cook a dish, using ingredients and methods you’ve never used before. I’m looking forward to sharing my journey with NAIT students, hoping they can learn a little something from me, as I will certainly do from them too!"

Perry Michetti, associate dean, School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts 
“Chef Vij is the real deal – he’s inspiring and inspired. He’s globally trained, a class act and represents the industry the way it should be. Having him at NAIT for a week will be an incredible opportunity for our students. They will be introduced to something quite different with Indian cuisines. We’re incredibly happy to welcome Vikram as our 2016 Chef in Residence.”

LEARN MORE

Department of Culinary Arts and Professional Food Studies
Hokanson Chef in Residence program

About NAIT

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a leading Canadian polytechnic, delivering education in science, technology and the environment; business; health and trades. With more than 60,000 credit and non-credit students and a 98 per cent employer satisfaction rate, NAIT grads are essential to Alberta’s prosperity. Known for hands-on, technology-based learning, NAIT engages with business and industry in applied research and innovation and provides corporate training around the world. Recognized as one of Alberta’s top employers, NAIT provides outstanding returns on investment for its graduates, partners, the provincial government and the people of Alberta.

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