Ag in Classroom has its very own ‘celebrity chef’
Trevor Randle has a passion for spreading themessage about local food.
By Grant Ullyot A
culinary arts instructor at Maple Ridge Secondary, ‘Chef Randle’ was one of the founding chefs of Take a Bite of BC a program run by the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC).
He has Red Seal certification, which means his skills and experience are recognized by an interprovincial program that allows qualified individuals to practice their trade anywhere in Canada without having to write further examinations. Take a Bite of BC donates local food products to 35 secondary school teaching kitchens. Randle has made it his goal to introduce the student chefs and the entire school population to the culinary, local and global benefits of cooking seasonal and local.
“The Take a Bite of BC program gives us the opportunity to work with products beyond the scope of our cafeteria school budget,” said Randle.
“Berries are a favorite amongst all students. Having strawberries, raspberries or blueberries on the program gives them the opportunity to freely create interesting desserts and main courses with well-liked and well-known products. This would not be possible without the generous Take a Bite of BC donations from local producers.”
BCAITC first encountered Randle in 1999 when he attended its summer program for teachers. With no previous experience in agriculture, he was immediately enthusiastic about telling the agriculture story. In 2011 he won BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation's Outstanding Teacher Award for his dedication to the Take a Bite of BC program.
As the ‘celebrity chef’ for the foundation, Randle promotes the value of using fresh, BC-grown products through his appearance at events throughout the Lower Mainland. BCAITC has created videos featuring him demonstrating how to cook with these products, using his own recipes. The foundation says Randle’s recipes bring out the best flavors in BC products. “They are easy to prepare, student- tested and taste great.”
Members of the Delta community gathered to support the Ag in the Classroom Foundation by attending a fundraising dinner in March. The dinner featured a five-course meal prepared by five chefs and their students, all of whom participate in the Take a Bite of BC program. Program executive director Pat Tonn reviewed the work the foundation is doing to bring BC’s agriculture to students, their schools, and the community.
British Columbia Berry Grower • Summer 2016 19
According to Chef Trevor Randle, berries are a favorite ingredient among secondary school culinary students.
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