Valerie Soon Legacy Scholarship


Overview

  • Chef Valerie Soon inspired everyone she met with her talent, generosity, and unwavering dedication to the culinary arts. In her honour, Valerie’s friends across Canada and her husband Brian have established the $1,000 Chef Valerie Soon Legacy Scholarship, awarded annually to a young, dynamic woman in British Columbia who is pursuing a culinary education and would benefit from the financial support.


  • This scholarship celebrates mentorship, passion, and the love of food—the very qualities Valerie brought to every kitchen. If you’re a driven, creative woman who is ready to follow your culinary dreams, this scholarship is for you.

Successful applicants will be: 

  • Young and passionate about culinary arts;
  • Enrolled or planning to enroll in a culinary-related program in BC; and
  • Must be willing to work in BC’s hospitality industry for at least 2 years after receiving the scholarship.


Timeline

Applications due:


December through March


Review period:



 2-3 weeks

Scholarship Disbursement:


Cheques presented at the end of May


How to apply?

01

Complete the online application form.

02

Submit a 500-700 word essay explaining why you are applying that shares your passion for the culinary arts, your career goals, and how receiving this award will help you financially pursue your education and advance your career.*

03

Include the name or description of the course(s) you have applied for.

04

Provide academic transcripts and any culinary-related diplomas.

05

Include two reference letters from non-family members.

* Essay specifics: Highlight any experiences, challenges, or achievements that demonstrate your drive and determination as a young woman in the culinary field.


The successful applicant will be chosen for their:

  • Passion for culinary arts and professional growth;
  • Commitment to working in BC’s hospitality industry;
  • Academic readiness and experience in culinary studies;
  • Ability to share their story through the essay; and
  • The strength of reference letters.

About Chef Valerie Soon


Valerie Soon was a Red Seal Certified, award-winning chef, master baker, and a true Renaissance woman who loved feeding people. She had a lifelong fascination with culinary techniques, recipe development, hospitality, food management, sports nutrition, new food trends, and the cultural significance of food.


During her decade-long tenure as Chef de Partie at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, the venue was voted the best in the world. Valerie created dishes for avant-garde multimedia events incorporating theatre, dance, music, and food. She also gave back to her community, making muffins and soups for neighbours and delivering weekly meals to her widowed father.


Her career spanned notable restaurants and hotels in Vancouver and Montreal. One of her proudest moments was preparing meals for over a thousand stranded airline passengers at the Delta Hotel in Richmond during the 9/11 shutdown at Vancouver International Airport. Over her forty-year career, she prepared an estimated one million meals.


In 2008, Valerie shifted her focus to food and nutrition management for seniors, advocating for fresh and culturally appropriate dishes in local senior residences. She also volunteered at the BC Seniors Advocate office, interviewing hundreds of seniors to better understand their needs.



The scholarship bearing her name continues Valerie’s legacy by supporting emerging female chefs in BC who share her passion, creativity, and generosity.