Private Event Comments:

June 2010
"YES, we had a GREAT time.  Please tell hostess and staff serving that their service was perfect.  Also, you had so many great words about the quality of the food.  I am sure that you will have many people make return visits for dinner.  I am SO glad (considering the weather) that I had a sit down dinner.  It was a great space and we all had a great time.  Thank you for your help.  Sincerely, Erla"

February 2010
"Thank you for such a wonderful evening; Everybody is absolutely thrilled with the all aspects of the evening! People are still raving about the food! Oh behalf of Tourism BC, thank you so much! The atmosphere was great, the food was incredible and the staff were amazing! I cannot say enough good things about your organization. Congratulations, we look forward to working with you again." - Tourism BC 

February 2010
"You did a pretty great job! THANKS from all the delegates and good luck to your talented students.
Magical and perfect evening, incredible from all participants including me. Merci beaucoup you are GREAT QUALITY material in this school. The food presentation and flavour were excellent. The staff were very nice, welcoming and eager to help. The Sommlier, Tim Ellison was wonderful, witty, funny, intelligent, theatrical, great wine knowledge. Great Job!" - 2010 Digital Cultural Content Forum (Private Dinner)

November 2009
"The dinner was excellent!  Thank you for putting up with our rather loud crowd.  We were all couped up for too long I think!  I heard a lot of very good things about both the food and the service.  The service was great, and everyone said the entrees and the dessert were incredible. Everything was served on time and presentation was excellent. Our CIO (the one ultimately paying the bill) loved the experience. " - Teck Resources (Private Corporate Dinner)

September 2009
"I just wanted to drop a quick line and tell you how much I enjoyed the wine seminar that you did for the Partners Program with UBCM.  I have been too many wine seminars but yours was by far the most engaging, non pretentious and educational.  I have spent several years in the wine industry and it was so refreshing to listen to you, I too am a HUGE fan of BC wine (in fact I have only ever worked for domestic wine companies)." - UBCM (Food & Wine Pairing Workshop)

March 2009
"What a fabulous experience we had. The school tour was captivating, the cuisine creative, and the students were the best!  Most of all, the staff and everyone we met, including you, were gracious and made our group feel very welcome and special. Thanks so much." - Linda H (Whatcom Community College)

December 2008
"I just wanted to say thank you to all for the lovely Christmas lunch yesterday!  I had so very many people come up to me and tell my how wonderful the food and service was." - Karen R. (Vancouver Coastal Health)

December 2008
"Thank you for helping us arrange an excellent Christmas Party.  Everyone loved the event and we have received numerous compliments on the food.  Many people have said it was the best that they have had.  We also loved the venue.  It suited us greatly and the atmosphere was exactly what we wanted." - Neil S. (WorleyParsons Komex)

November 2008
"Just wanted to drop a note to tell you last night was a success.  It was a fun evening with the Murder/Mystery entertainment (they did a fabulous job) and your staff was excellent.  Please pass on our thanks to your staff.  Adam Butler catered to our needs in his efficient, friendly, helpful and professional manner.  The rest of the serving staff were very gracious, attentive and provided great service.  Kudos to the chef(s).  The food was tasty and delicious.  The guests were very happy at the end of the evening. Thank you also for your great organization skills and helping us arrange this wonderful evening.  It wouldn't have been a success without you." - Teresa D. (RBC)

August 2008
"Thank you soo much for helping me with our event today for my mom's birthday!  The celebration went great!  Compliments to the Chef and the staff.  Our guests loved the food and the desserts! Oh the desserts!!" - Valerie G.

July 2008
"Firstly it was a pleasure meeting you yesterday and wanted to personally thank you, the staff and anyone else that was involved in our luncheon yesterday. Please pass this along to all the staff..................Everyone enjoyed it immensely and it definately was a highlight with everyone.  Many commented that the food was presented so beautifully and its taste was just as wonderful. Thanks again for making my trip so successful and we will definately see you again in the near future." - Sea/Air Tours and Travel Ltd.

May 2008
"On behalf of Ivan and I, thank you for arranging a fabulous end to our partnering workshop day last Friday evening.   Your staff was well prepared for our group and attended to everyone’s needs with enthusiasm and professionalism.  A special acknowledgement to your maître d', Carsten – he had a very pleasant personality and was on top of the details.  Looking forward to visiting again." - Inder S. [Metro Vancouver]

March 2008
"I am writing to thank you and Adam and all of your wonderful students for the lovely luncheon we enjoyed at PICA on Wednesday, March 19. The writed reviews of our participants were 100% raves!  All facets of the experience were commented upon - from the lovely presentation to the wonderful taste to the enthusiastic wait staff to the fun of watching the bustle in the kitchen.  Many people wished aloud that they had known of the presence of your on-site special bakery.  They would have brought more money and taken home more goodies!  You have been a pleasure to work with.  Again, many thanks! " - Janet J. [Academy of Lifelong Learning - Western Washington University]

March 2008
"Thank you so much for your help.  Everyone had a great time today and the semi private nature of the room made it great for discussion.  Please congratulate yourself and your staff. Hope to keep PICA on our Journal Club circuit and a number of people expressed interest in returning one day with friends ... I know I will. " - Dr. K. Saran

March 2008
"We were there with the trolley company dinner last night. It was wonderful. We would also like to thank the Chef for giving us a tour. It was very interesting.  A totally organized operation. My husband and I will be coming back and bringing friends. " - Linda and Ed S.

March 2008
"I wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we all had at the shower on Saturday.  The venue was perfect and so was the food and service.  Tim was an exceptional host and he ensured the event flowed seamlessly. I felt very relaxed and enjoyed myself a great deal.  The waitress also did an amazing job and should be commended. I will not hesitate to recommend PICA to friends and family and will certainly consider you for any future events." - Jennifer A. [Baby Shower]

February 2008
"I would like to personally thank you and the staff & students at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts for hosting our group of Visitor Centre Managers.  They were very impressed with the lunch, service and of course the view of Granville Island. They will be sending many more visitors your way! The FAM trip was a huge success." - Stacey K. & Holly H. [Tourism Vancouver & Tourism BC Fam Tour]

February 2008
"On behalf of all twelve Canada Study Tour MBA students, our faculty advisor and the University of Washington, we would like to thank you (Sue Singer) for so generously hosting our group.  The entire trip was both educational and enjoyable, and visting Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts was one of the highlights of our time in Vancouver.  We especially enjoyed hearing your story of being an entrepreneur with a vision, who was able to turn it into a reality.  Your success has been inspiriational to many of our students.  We are also particularly grateful that you and your executive chef were able to make time for us.  Because of the success of this tour,  aimed to teach students about Canada and connect them to business leaders in Vancouver, the University of Washington Foster School of Business and Jackson School of International Studies are fully supporting the continuation of this program.  We hope that this trip will continue to reoccur in the future, and that Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts will consider participating as a host again next year." - Tania E. and Tim R. [UW Business School: Canada Study Tour/Dinner]

July 2007
"Thank you so much for arranging such a magnificent luncheon.  All the Red Hatters were in awe of the attractive presentation - brilliant!  Our hats off to you all! We will see you again!" - Cecilia [Red Hat Society - Dogwood Divas Luncheon]

July 2007
"The service was exceptional for the night of and we were impressed by the standards the students set.  Everything from drinks to the appetizers etc was outstanding and delicious.  David and myself would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to you and the staff at  PICA for a wonderful evening.  All the best in the future...." - Melissa & David [Rehearsal Cocktail Dinner]

April 2007
"Thank you so much for all your help. We had a great night, great food and perfect turnout. Everyone wants to come back again." - The BC Food Technologists [Chef and the R&D Team Event]

February 2007
"On behalf of all fourteen Vancouver Study Tour MBA students, our faculty advisors and the University of Washington, we would like to thank you for so generously hosting our group. The entire trip was both very educational and enjoyable, and visiting Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts was one of the highlights of our time in Vancouver.

In addition, the meal prepared for us was absolutely delicious and the service was fantastic - our dinner was one of the most valuable and memorable parts of our trip.

Because of the success of this tour, aimed to teach students about Canada and connect them to business leaders in Vancouver, University of Washington Business School and Jackson School of International Studies are fully supporting the continuation of this program. We hope that this trip will be the first among many in the future, and that you will consider participating as a host again next year." - University of Washington Business School

December 2006
"Thanks to you and the staff at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, for our fantastic Christmas lunch last Friday.  It was a really enjoyable & relaxing time for everyone who went.  I loved the fish & heard that the beef was, to quote 'melt in your mouth' by more than 1 person.  All delicious, and the desserts were divine, with great presentation (as usual)."  - British Columbia Medical Association

March 2006
"I just wanted to say thank you for all your work with the reception last night - it exceeded all of our expectations. The food was fabulous and the venue was beautiful (with the view, candles etc). It is also worth mentioning that we heard nothing but positive feedback from all of our guests. I am sure we will be contacting you in the future for another event, as will many of last night's guests." - Michelle D.

February 2006
"Many thanks to you, Carsten and the entire staff at the Culinary Institute for a wonderful meal and evening this past Friday. Everything was perfect ! Please share our thanks and best wishes with all." - Canadian Consulate General (Seattle)

December 2005
"Really just wanted to express our gratitude for the arrangements made for our department lunch, and your job well done at staying within our budget too! Fantastic comments and happy full stomachs around the office after lunch - everyone enjoyed the great, food, service and venue!" - BC Medical Association

December 2005
"Just want to say thank you. We had a wonderful time. The sitting was great, and as usual the food was fantastic." - Vancouver School Board

December 2005
"Just a quick to note to say thanks. My group had a lovely time at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. This was the first term we had our little Gourmet club and the outing was a great finish to a great series of classes." - Continuing Education - Capilano College

November 2005
"I would like to thank you very much for everything. Our guests have all enjoyed the succulent food and the kind service of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. We all had a good time there. Thank you." - Consolato Generale d'Italia - Consulate General of Italy

August 2005
"We wanted to tell you how happy we are to have chosen Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts for our wedding. Everyone did such a wonderful job! In particular, the Maitre D', Carsten was exceptional. Everything was perfect - the food, the drinks, the service, the set-up. The guests were terribly impressed and we had a great time. One of the students even spelled "Just..." and "...married" into our Pasuwas. What a beautiful touch. We wish you every success." - Mariana & Tim

December 2004
"On behalf of my manager, other co-workers and myself, we would like to thank you… the head chefs, servers and other staff for a wonderful dinner.

All we’ve heard from clients and RBC employees are compliments about the restaurant, amazing food presentation and the delicious food. The sit down dinner went so smoothly that there was extra time in the end to just enjoy our dessert and coffee/tea. We weren’t rushed at all. A job well done by all." - RBC Global Services

April 2004
"Just a note to thank you and the staff for my very successful 65th birthday celebration. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. The service was attentive. We were made to feel right at home and our server even managed to keep us posted on the hockey score. The three hours just flew by and we ended it with a tour of the facilities. A great night and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts to friends." - Marlene J.