NEW WESTMINSTER, BC –Thursday, October 27th was an evening of elegance and delightful
surprises as 109 guests turned out in support of the 3rd Annual Chefs’ Charity Dinner at the
Vancouver Club, and raised $70,000 for Dan’s Legacy. The charity provides therapeutic
counselling and life-skills programs for youth survivors of trauma and abuse.
“We’re absolutely thrilled,” says Barbara Coates, Executive Director of Dan’s Legacy. “The
funds raised will help us continue our work with at-risk youth in the community, and we thank all
of our donors, sponsors and volunteers for their generous support.”
Hosted by the ever charming Fred Lee, guests enjoyed a meal, with wine pairings, created by
five of Vancouver’s top chefs: The Vancouver Club’s Executive Chef Sean Cousins presented a
creamy hubbard squash velouté with truffle pecorino and shaved alba truffle; Lee Cooper of
L’Abattoir followed with a raw Pacific scallop with peppers, chilis and coriander; Chef David
Gunawan of Farmer’s Apprentice offered mussels and cabbage with fermented gooseberry and
pickled green strawberries; the Michelin starred Chef Stefan Hartmann of The Bauhaus
Restaurant created grilled veal tenderloin with porcinis, leek and braised veal tortellinis; and
Junior Sous Chef/Pastry, Jessica Caparas of the Vancouver Club whipped up the final
delectable dish, a mocha hazelnut mille feuille with raspberry gel.
Guests, including the Honourable Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family
Development, heard from speakers Gordon Greene and Jamie Folsom how the Dan’s Legacy
counselling programs helped them overcome past struggles with depression and addiction to
lead fulfilling and productive lives. But Cathi Naples brought the reality of limited access to help
into sharp focus with the story of her son Jacob Hoffman, who, due to severe depression as a
victim of sexual abuse, took his life in 2015, a week before his 19th birthday.
In response to the need for more beds, and knowing many youth require more counselling
support in addition to Dan’s Legacy’s four-month intensive programs, the charity also unveiled
its plans to build a 10-bed Recovery Centre on an organic farm in the Lower Mainland. Clients
will opt-in for a one-year term and receive counselling, life and work-skills instruction, and
educational programs. Intern architects Kaitlin Wierstra and Andrew Carruthers created the
artists’ concept, much to the delight and interest of the gala guests.
Dan’s Legacy would like to recognize its sponsors Global BC, Miss604 and Trigate
Development Corporation. Special thanks to emcee Fred Lee, the Vancouver Club, Nootka
Marine Adventures, WestJet, Paul Shipton and Omar Duric, Joan Carlisle-Irving, Dato’ Mark
Yeoh, Neville Snook, Private Label Worldwide, Norma Paradis, Chocolate Arts, Purdys
Chocolatier and Shoppers Drug Mart.
The Chefs’ Charity Dinner has grown significantly since 2015, when 60 guests helped raise
$23,000 for Dan’s Legacy. Next year’s gala, the 4th Annual Chefs’ Charity Dinner, is slated for
Thursday, November 16th, 2017 at the Vancouver Club.
For those seeking counselling support, or to donate to Dan’s Legacy, please visit
www.danselegacy.com
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