A new partnership between Camosun College, Nova Scotia Community College (NCSS), De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the Philippines, and the Canadian embassy in Manila is offering culinary students the chance to learn about local cuisine through interactive virtual lessons.

Since September, culinary students at Camosun, along with their instructors, have been preparing dishes and cooking demos, sharing recipes, and taking part in Zoom calls with students in Nova Scotia and the Philippines creating a virtual, international culinary classroom with the touch of a button.

“Our students are excited about learning East Coast and Filipino cuisine and getting to know students on the other side of the camera at both institutes,” says Christiaan Bernard, Director of International at Camosun College.

The initiative started after students at Camosun and NCSS were unable to travel to the Philippines for an exchange and culinary competition because of COVID-19. That competition would have included students using Canadian beef, potatoes, and other Canadian products now being exported to or grown in the Philippines as part of a program with the Government of Canada.

“The long-term goal of this partnership is for international exchanges to happen in person, which we are hopeful will be within the next academic year,” says Christiaan.

“We’re excited for our students and faculty to eventually travel to the Philippines, collaborate with Benilde students, and showcase how Canadian products can be used in Filipino cuisine. This partnership opens up so many opportunities for students to learn about internationalization, virtually, and experience it in person in the near future,” concludes Christiaan.