Partnership

Vancouver International Wine Festival and LCV Bring Solstice Soirée to Vancouver

LaSalle College Vancouver and the Vancouver International Wine Festival toasted the start of summer with the inaugural Solstice Soirée with twelve wines, twelve bites, and an unforgettable evening for Vancouver food and wine lovers.

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A female chef is meticulously decorating meringue desserts with red fruit using a piping bag, with wine bottles and glasses visible in the background.

In partnership with the Vancouver International Wine Festival, LaSalle College Vancouver hosted the inaugural Solstice Soirée — a food and wine walkabout celebrating the start of summer with twelve exceptional pairings, a stellar culinary team, and guests who came ready to celebrate.

A man pours red wine from a bottle into a glass as another man watches. There are four bottles of wine on the table.

While the weather had other plans and moved the festivities indoors, the wine and food more than made up for it. Guests wandered, tasted, and discovered their perfect pairings — from bubbles and oysters to a Gruyère and caramelized onion tart, Malbec and a smashed beef slider, and a pavlova with BC bubbly to close.

A person wearing blue gloves is decorating small purple pastries with a spoon of sauce, presented on white platters.

Spearheaded by Vancouver culinary icons and chef instructors Chef Julian Bond and Chef Robert Clark, the culinary team crafted dishes to match an ambitious lineup of wines from Argentina, British Columbia, France, and Italy. The evening unfolded pairing by pairing — guests wandering, tasting, and discovering new favorites along the way, from silky burrata with roasted beets to a show-stopping lamb lollipop with pomegranate molasses.

A bald man wearing a black apron speaks into a microphone, with one hand raised in a gesture. In the background, women are seen drinking wine.

A smiling chef wearing an apron and chef's hat is preparing sushi rolls with blue gloves on in a professional kitchen.

For our culinary students, evenings like this are what it's all about. Beyond the classroom, beyond the practice kitchen — this was a chance to apply their skills to a real professional event, present their food to real guests, and connect with the industry face to face. These are the experiences that turn students into professionals, and we couldn't be prouder of every one of them.

A smiling chef serves appetizers at an event, with wine bottles and other preparations on the counter.

An older man serves food from a platter to another person while other attendees at a social event enjoy the food and company.

A heartfelt thank you to the Vancouver International Wine Festival, all participating wineries and their agents, and our incredible culinary team. We can't wait to do it again!

About the Hospitality and Culinary School

Interested in a career in Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, or Hospitality and Restaurant Business Management? Discover certificate, diploma, and grand diploma program options offered through the Hospitality and Culinary School at LaSalle College Vancouver, rooted in over 40 years of excellence in the city.

Two chefs are preparing food in a professional kitchen setting, carefully placing ingredients into small containers for an event or service.

Five smiling women holding wine glasses and appetizers pose in front of a green wall with an illuminated circle.

A woman and a man smile at the camera, she is wearing a red blouse and he is wearing a dark jacket holding a glass of wine.