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Comments from our Corporate Clients:


"Thank you so much for the great event yesterday!! Darren was a great facilitator, very engaging and entertaining.  We all had the best team event ever and the food was absolutely top notch! Great job to the students! Another group from Vancity was interested in this and I definitely will give it the thumbs up and pass along your contact. Thanks so much!" - Vancity Credit Union (Iron Chef Challenge | March 2012) 

"Our cooking class today was a huge success!  We had some great laughs as a team, learned useful cooking tricks and LOVED eating our creations at your beautiful restaurant.  Chef Darren was awesome!  He is so funny and knowledgeable, and makes cooking sound so easy.  Following his advice, we will "cook from the heart" (and hopefully apply some of that to our jobs too!) Thank you for such a well orchestrated event! - McKesson (2-Hour Corporate Cooking Class | March 2012) 

"The team had a blast. Thank you for all your assistance." - Schneider Electric (Iron Chef Challenge | March 2012)

"Thank you again for such a fabulous and entertaining evening!  Your professionalism, humour and expertise was appreciated by ALL guests, ranging from students to staff to employers.  I hope you enjoyed the evening as much as we did." - Simon Fraser University (Dining Room Etiquette | March 2012) 

"I just wanted to say what a good time I had on Monday at your Wine and Dining Etiquette session up at SFU.  You definitely know your stuff and gave a top-notch presentation.  I gained a lot of valuable tips that I will soon be putting into practice." - Isaiah @ Simon Fraser University (Dining Room Etiquette | March 2012) 

"Just wanted to drop you a note and say what a great time all of us had at the Iron Chef Challenge. It had no bearing that I was on the winning team but everyone commented on the fun and a great team building exercise it was. The meals prepared for us at dinner were outstanding and the service was also first rate. I will continue to recommend this to my colleagues as it was to me. You have a real winning team and event there and I wish you much continued success in future. Thanks again for a wonderful evening!" - National Importers (Iron Chef Challenge | February 2012) 


"It took me sometime to recover from the fun we had last Wednesday. Everyone had so much fun.  Chef Julian and team were hilarious.  Your drink staff were also very helpful!  My committee head and the executives were very impressed. I am planning to make this activity an annual event." - HSBC (Iron Chef Challenge | February 2012) 

"We had a great time last night.  Thank you to the entire PICA team that made our night memorable. Julian was perfect! The challenge was better this year too with only two ingredients. Overall it was great. Thanks." - Ernst & Young (Iron Chef Challenge | October 2011) 

"I just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work in organizing last week's cooking event.  All the attendees had a lovely evening and our managers were very pleased with the entire evening.  A special thanks to Sonja, Chef Bernard and Chef Darren.  They were all so attentive and we certainly learned a lot from the chefs. The meals turned out great and each person left with a version of the recipes to try out at home.  The new renovations to Bistro 101 look fabulous - very modern but classy interior design.  We look forward to hosting another cooking event at PICA next year! - Connor, Clark & Lunn (2 Hour Corporate Cooking Class | October 2011) 

"We had a great time! The food and decor was perfect and the competition itself was a lot of fun.  I've heard nothing but positive comments from all of our employees.  This is something that we would definitely do again. Thank you for arranging the event for us." - Cummins Western Canada (Iron Chef Challenge | October 2011)

"Unique experience and absolutely fabulous idea! This event was awesome ... what a great team building exercise. We all learned something about each other and ourselves. Really loved the hands-on approach and discussion among everyone. Really felt like a team effort.  I want to use this type of scenario for a Christmas party instead of just going out and eating. You are never going to beat this! We ALL had a wonderful time! One of the most unique and fun things I have done on a personal or work level!!! Thank you for this experience!! - The McElhanney Group | 2-Hour Corporate Cooking Class | September 2011) 

"We had the most fantastic time last night! My group spent half the morning talking about how much fun they had! I could not have been happier with the experience. Well done!" - TELUS (Iron Chef Challenge | September 2011) 

"We had a fantastic afternoon and we have already mentioned to our boss that we hope to do it again soon with a larger crowd .... perhaps a Christmas party or something, Iron Chef style!. Thanks again." CBS Parts (2-Hour Corporate Cooking Class | September 2011) 

"Overall an excellent event. We all enjoyed the event. Chef Bernard was excellent, professional and fun and we loved the iron chef challenge with the secret ingredient.  Today at our meeting it was an unanimous WOW experience.  All Pacific Institute employees were outstanding in the service delivery and went above and beyond to make everyone welcome.  All outstanding from service, food, timing. Sonja again was professional, responsive and friendly." - TD Canada Trust (Iron Chef Challenge | June 2011) 

"Thank you again, so much, for a really great day. The Market Tour was a great addition to the day. I learned so much!! And I am really glad we went with the headphones; I think they made a huge difference to the experience. It was a great event, and I would like to thank you and all the people involved in making it a great success. I am certain we will be back for round 2 in the future." - Capilano University (A Plugged in Tour of Granville Island + Iron Chef Challenge | May 2011) 

"A great thank you for your excellent work and our compliments to your talented team of chefs.  They did a fantastic job in executing our event with success for all!  Many thanks." - TD Waterhouse - Financial Planning (Iron Chef Challenge | May 2011) 

"Event was excellent.  The team raved about it all the next day and said it was the best team building event we had ever done.  The difficulty will be for me to find something to do to top this event. The easiest planning of an event I have ever done due to the seamless organization by Giulia." - Omni Corp (Iron Chef Challenge | April 2011) 

"Everyone of us had a wonderful time yesterday.  Both the tour and the dinner were a success! The market tour was exceptional - we all learned such a great deal and we were constantly intrigued." - Allon Therapeutics (Granville Island Market Tour + Taste | March 2011) 

"It was a great night. Organization and great job was done by the chefs keeping it fun and organized with our group.  Also Giulia delivered everything that was planned and discussed." - Vancouver Canucks (Iron Chef Challenge | March 2011) 

"Thank you once again for having our team in for the Iron Chef challenge.  I've had some great feedback from our team, and I am seeing a lot more smiles around the office today. Given the late request, I thought your team did a great job of getting the event organized. I was also very impressed with Chef Julian's ability to get our team motivated and excited about the challenge." - Accenture (Iron Chef Challenge | March 2011) 
 
"I heard wonderful things this morning about your session last night.  We have come to expect a fabulous response from students about your workshop and this year was no exception.  Thank you for engaging our students and encouraging them to participate in the conversation, working with meeting & events to coordinate the details, as well as helping us to keep the cost down by bringing your own projector and equipment.  Our colleagues in Business were delighted to be in attendance and you never know if other departments may need to identify an etiquette speaker for their cohorts in the future.  You are becoming somewhat of a celebrity up here at SFU!" - SFU Career Management Centre, Beedie School of Business (Dining Room Etiquette with Tim Ellison | March 2011) 
 
"First of all I just want to thank you so much for the organization of this event.  Everything was AMAZING!  Everyone in our group had a great time and I can't tell you how many times I heard people say that it was the best team-building event we've ever had.  People are still talking about how much fun it was!  Please pass on our thanks to the students, staff and everyone involved in making the event so memorable.  We really appreciate it! Thanks again for everything and we'll definitely recommend the Institute for any future Suncor events." - Suncor (Iron Chef Challenge | March 2011) 

"The class was excellent, and Chef Katsu was phenomenal. My team commented on how comfortable they felt with Chef Katsu’s teaching style (I think they were expecting Gordon Ramsey), as well as the positive experience of building and sharing the finished product. Overall, as a team builder / group fun event, I highly recommend it!" - Starbucks Canada (2-Hour Cooking Class | February 2011) 

"Our Chef Instructor was great and went beyond (ex. one of my team members asked about how to prepare fennel - he went to fetch some and showed us - this was not on the original menu); he was so patient and went aroudn to answer all our questions and make it fun.  Outstanding job!" - Pfizer Canada (2-Hour Cooking Class | December 2010)  
 
"We had soooooooo much fun at the 2 hour cooking class on December 2nd! Here are just some of the comments:
• Awesome!
• What a great evening!
• Our chef was so much fun!
• I can’t believe we actually made that!
• We laughed a lot!
• Everything was so delicious, I can hardly wait to make these recipes at home!
We loved all the tips and personal stories that the Chefs shared with us. Their knowledge of food, wine, herbs, etc. was extensive.  The menu was Y-U-M-M-Y and the presentation was beautiful and delicious. Bistro 101 provided an elegant surrounding with a nice view of the water.  The Maitre D' and service staff were professional. friendly and very attentive.  The event organization was great.  All emails were answered promptly and everything was taken care of right down to the meet and greet at the front door.  There were 'no surprises' and the evening just flowed." - ParadigmQuest Inc. (2-Hour Cooking Class | December 2010) 
 
"Excellent!  Chefs and all employees were first class and extremely engaging.  Thanks for making our Christmas event spectacular!" - JTI MacDonald (2-Hour Cooking Class | December 2010) 

"The team had a GREAT time! Fun evening for all twelve of us--great team bonding experience!!" - Canon Canada (Iron Chef Challenge | December 2010) 
 
"Thank you for hosting such a fantastic event! Both the chefs were fun, informative and added a fun flair to the event. The Iron Chef Challenge was fantastic. All team players had an excellent time and provided an excellent team building challenge." - The Original Cakerie (Iron Chef Challenge | December 2010) 
 
"The whole event was well executed right from Giulia’s attention to detail to the reception from Adam, the chefs and the students on the day of the event. The whole staff was extremely helpful. Our guests had a wonderful time." - Ivanhoe Cambridge (2-Hour Cooking Class | December 2010) 

"Thank you for a wonderful event!!!! Kudos to everyone there. We especially thought Chef Darren really made the event for us. His personality, demeanor and overall interaction with the group was fantastic. Lots of fun!" - Teema Consulting (Iron Chef Challenge | November 2010) 
 
"The team had a great time at PICA; we all enjoyed working with Chef Julian; he was amazing, funny, witty and patience.  The food was great and the service provided by your staff was professional.  We will definitely return for future team building and office events." - BC Hydro (Iron Chef Challenge | November 2010) 

"The experience as a whole was excellent.  The attendees were very pleased with the outcome and found the experience both fun and educational.  It was excellent for team building, which was of highest importance to us for this event.  Having wine pre-selected by the sommelier and ordered for the tables ahead of time worked very smoothly for our group." - MDA Corporation (2-Hour Cooking Class | November 2010) 

"Thank you for a most enjoyable dining etiquette course.  You were a fantastic instructor (Tim Ellison) and a terrific host!" - Richard C. | UBC Department of Sociology (Dining Etiquette | November 2010) 

"It was such a good experience.  Your crew was very helpful and professional, but mostly they were so patient and kind in working with us rookies.  Really brought a new appreciation of the hard work chefs and cooks do for us.  Our crew was very impressed with the Chef instructors – especially their kind guidance.  Most of our guests were actually quite nervous about doing a cooking class – too many fears of encountering a professional kitchen.  The chefs and support staff really made it such positive experience.  All the staff were top notch. Leonard handled each situation  with complete tact and competence.  The wine service manager was a gem in dealing with our crew and very attentive with the wine service. Would definitely consider this experience in the future." - Ambro & Associates (2-Hour Cooking Class | November 2010) 
" Whole experience was great and very enjoyable. 
- The Event was very well organized and ran smoothly
- The chef was very professional with a personal touch and his experience showed 
- Great sense of humor and appreciated his comments/advice to help us understand the proper way of cooking
- Instill fun and challenge in the activity without glaring too much at our faux-pas
- Took good care of us from beginning to end.  Provided excellent service & information
- Setting up the challenge, having all the info together and presenting in a very logical way
Thank you so much again for your help it was so much fun!!" - MDA Corporation (Iron Chef Challenge | November 2010) 

"I just want to say you have a fabulous program.  This was our second year and we enjoyed it every bit as much as the first.  All your staff are informative (and funny).  We're planning on doing it again in 2011.  Thank all your staff who worked with us.  We all had a great time.  See you next year." - Kahn Zack Ehrlich Lithwick (2-Hour Cooking Class | November 2010) 
 
"We had a great time!  The staff were really nice and accommodating and the chef’s were well organized and very entertaining.  It was a really fun event that everyone is talking about today.  The food was fantastic (yours of course), and the presentation was exceptional and overall we would rate it 5/5 for excellent.  The staff were very knowledgeable and professional and the duration of the challenge was perfect time-wise.  We did not know what to expect and everything far exceeded our expectations.  I already have staff asking for details so they can pass along to family and friends to do this type of event and have sent them a link to your website.  Overall, it was a fantastic fun event and chef’s Julian and Bernard were great as was Adam on the bar!  I would not hesitate for a moment to recommend your restaurant and this event to anyone.  Thanks so much for providing an event that we will remember for a very long time." - Urban Systems (Iron Chef Challenge | November 2010) 
 
"It was very well organized, extremely fun and the 3-course meal afterwards was fantastic.  The service we received during our meal was amazing and everyone in our group agrees that it was a really fun, tasty team building challenge.  We’ll highly recommend you to other departments and companies." - Elastic Path Software, Inc. (Iron Chef Challenge | November 2010) 

"Everything was excellent - the planning, the staff, the challenge, Chef Julian was great as the 'MC'. It was great to have consistency!  I would rate our experience as 5/5 - Excellent. Thanks for everything!"  Ernst & Young (Iron Chef Challenge for 80 people | October 2010) 

"The feedback I have received has been all positive, although all the talk about food made them very hungry! The professionalism & knowledge of the Chef Tour Guide was high and the duration was just right (1.5 hours).  The food was delicious and very nice presentation. Thanks." The Oppenheimer Group (Taste & Market Tour | October 2010)  

"I'm writing to let you know that last night was a big success. All guests and star members had a great time! I want to thank you for all the help since we started to organized this event. You've been so supportive to me and the event. Last night, I could tell from all the little details you and your chefs did for us. The welcome sparkling was great. The service was perfect. Chefs made cooking so easy for us. Especially, the creative logo design and the star fruit decoration! One surprise after another. Thank you so much. Your institute will always be our top choice for future events. Again, many thanks!"
Air China | Air Canada | The Star Alliance (2-Hour Cooking Class | October 2010) 

"I’d like to thank you for organizing such a wonderful event last night.  Everyone had such a good time; they could not stop talking about it at work today!  Thanks to the staff, particularly to Chef Darren and his assistants, who made cooking so easy.  Our thanks too to the server who helped serve our meals.  We all were amazed and proud with being able to actually cook everything in the menu for our dinner last night. The question is of course if I do it at home on my own." - Aragon Properties Ltd. (2-Hour Cooking Class | October 2010) 

"The Iron Chef Challenge was SO much fun...many people are asking already if we can do this again next year! We were very impressed by the way Chef Darren and Chef Bernard handled the group...they knew exactly how to stir up the competition between groups and managed the time well.  The explanations were communicated very clearly and they were very personable and fun to have lead the group. It was the first time for many of us in a commercial kitchen and we were very impressed with what was available. The duration of the challenge was just right.  At first we were skeptical that 30 minutes would be too short but it turned out to be just the right amount of time to feel the pressure but get things accomplished. Giulia was excellent to work with...very easy to get along with, flexible and available.  I enjoyed very much working with Giulia to get this organized.   I really appreciated her prompt responses to my questions and flexibility with the planning.  The menu was fantastic and service was good. The event was beyond our expectations and everyone enjoyed themselves.  The prizes were a bonus and everyone was so pleased to be able keep their aprons!  I will definitely be recommending this event to other managers so hopefully you will see some more groups from PWGSC in the future!" - Public Works & Government Services Canada (Iron Chef Challenge | October 2010)

"I really liked that we each had our own part of the menu to focus on and that we were able to walk around and mingle during the class.  The food was absolutely delicious. Chef Bernard was fantastic and had a good sense of humor, we loved his French accent. The wine was paired nicely with our food and the overall experience was fun. Thank you for everything." Narland Property Management (2-Hour Cooking Class | September 2010) 

"The cooking class/dinner was a big hit with all participants! We know Chef Darren from other promotions (Gnarliest burger contest) & he was great! Top reviews in all areas. Hopefully we will arrange another class in the future. " - Select Wines (2 Hour Cooking Class | August 2010)

"The challenge was very well organized in all areas. We were well advised of our time during our challenge. The structure of the challenge is such that you are not even aware of how much teamwork there is - it's fun and the time goes by very quickly!  Direction was very clear from the moment we arrived, i.e. signing in, where we should wait, etc.  The 3-Course Lunch Menu offered a nice selection and was nicely proportioned. The beverage service was excellent - no one went dry! The service staff was excellent and made sure we had everything we needed." - Granville West Group (Iron Chef Challenge | July 2010) 

"Just wanted to let you know, thank you for all your hard work and assistance with this event. We had a fabulous time and it was a lot of fun.  Adam, both Chefs Julian and Bernard, and the entire culinary staff were wonderful, friendly, and patient!  They didn't hesitate one bit to help out.  You have a great team there. The Buffet was also a success, mainly the appies, the plated buffet I thought was a great idea everyone pretty much enjoyed it.  I know we can't please everyone, but overall it was very positive and well received.  Please let everyone know we had a great time and hopefully we can do it again." - Sovereign General Insurance Company (Iron Chef Challenge | July 2010)

"Just a quick note to say a HUGE thank you for organizing our splendid cooking class yesterday. The team had a wonderful time and enjoyed preparing the dinner and of course enjoying the spoils. Please pass on our immense thanks to Chef Bernard who was outstanding and of course it was great to meet you in person. We will be sure to recommend you to other groups on campus – it really was an excellent afternoon." - UBC Faculty of Art (2-Hour Cooking Class | June 2010)

"The Iron Chef Challenge was fun and different from any other event our staff has particpated in. Chef Facilitators were excellent; well organized, well spoken and well versed in culinary knowledge. Their sense of humour was appreciated. The 3-course lunch offered good variety and the wine selections were a good accompaniment for the entrees. All staff were pleasant, attentive and helpful. " Crosby Property Management (Iron Chef Challenge | June 2010)

"Both facilitators were fantastic speakers and instructors; after the instructions were given there were no questions to be asked and both were fair judges, and judged quite well (my team won). The Iron Chef Challenge is a great work/team building event, you get to work in a different atmosphere with colleagues and it definitely brings out how well you work together. Great customer service during the meal. Everyone was welcoming and approachable.  The event was an amazing experience all around." Metro Vancouver (Iron Chef Challenge | June 2010)

"Thank you so much for a great experience - we all had a great time and the challenge was so much fun. Organization of the restaurant and kitchens was superb. The Chef's made the experience fun, rewarding and the fact that we were able to learn new concepts was great." - Justice Institute of BC (Iron Chef Challenge | June 2010)

"Everybody had a fantastic time!! Thank you for the experience." Cartier Jewellers (2-Hour Cooking Class | June 2010)

"Everyone had a great time and I'm not sure how we are going to top it next year. Very dynamic and helpful staff. Great facilities and location." Pottinger Gaherty Group (Apprentice Theme Challenge | June 2010)

"The iron chef organization was perfect! I also appreciated that the staff knew we were coming, and where we worked." - Culinary Capers (Iron Chef Challenge | May 2010)

"Our event last night was a terrific success.  Everyone had a great time, the team building portion was great fun, and the meal afterwards was excellent.  All around, I’ve receive good feedback from the group. Thanks for all your help.  I hope we can arrange to come there again sometime in the future." - Mark Anthony Group (Iron Chef Challenge | April 2010)

"The challenge given was unexpected but very good! The facilitators (Chef Bernard and Chef Darren) were very good and their humour added to the experience. They made it a lot of fun for us!!  They also gave us pointers after they gave their evalutations, which WOWed everyone!!!  The equipment and supplies were well equipped and the challenge flew but the challenge was excellent timing. Dinner was good too.  Giulia (PICA organizer) did a good job corresponding with me.  This was the first time I had to organize something like this and she made it REALLY easy for me.  Her recommendations and organization was top-notch!  Some students were helpful as our equipment runners and food runners were running around finding different things.   I’m happy to say that everyone left that place with satisfaction and a full stomach!" Glentel (Apprentice Theme Challenge | March 2010)

"Excellent degree of difficulty and fun. The facilitator (Chef Bernard), the challenge, and equipment and supplies provided were excellent.  The duration was just right and the dinner that followed was very good.  The staff was very friendly, helpful and attentive!" - Teekay Canada (Apprentice Theme Challenge | March 2010)

"Chef Bernard was very professional and very good at explaining the challenge and getting the group excited going into it. The challenge was a great time, a perfect team building exercise and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it." - Mark Anthony Group (Iron Chef Challenge | March 2010)

"The class was entertaining and educational at the same time.  Chef Bernard was very patient and happy to answer all our questions.  Was delightful.  Were also very accommodating to the two people in our team who needed substitutes due to allergies and religious beliefs – was very nice." - Electronic Arts (2-Hour Cooking Class | March 2010)

"Thanks for much for a great team building event.  It was our most successful yet - well done to everyone!" - Teekay Canada (Apprentice Theme Challenge | March 2010)

"I would rate everything as Excellent!  Adam and the staff were friendly and made us feel comfortable form the moment we arrived.  Chef Darren was great.  He was professional, knowledgeable and kept the evening flowing and a lot of fun.   The meal itself was delicious to the point that we couldn’t’ believe we actually cooked it!  I know that a few members of our staff will be going back to take some personal classes which speaks to how positive of an experience we all had.  The teambuilding aspect was actually better than I expected.  We were able to take a lot of fun metaphors from the kitchen and use them as examples of how we can improve our day to day team-work. Thanks again for helping me to coordinate such a fun event." - inhaus Surfaces Limited (2 Hour Cooking Class | March 2010)

"Thank you to you and your staff at PICA.  You guys did an amazing job and everyone who attended came back raving about their experience.  Sorry our numbers were low on certain days, but those that went truly had a fantastic time! Thank you again for everything!  We really appreciate it! - NBC/GE (2-Hour Cooking Class | February 12-27, 2010)

"Once again, thank-you so much for helping coordinate the corporate cooking class for our team!   We had a fantastic time and really appreciated Chef Darren.  Chef Darren was fantastic. He was friendly, professional and we would recommend him to our friends.  The meal was delicious. We were able to make dishes that many of us had never tried before. The content was not overwhelming, yet there were still tasks enough for everyone to work on.  All of the recipes were delicious! Hands down the best crème brulee we have ever tasted. We also really enjoyed the sauce for the chicken…bordelaise sauce. You were very accommodating when coordinating the evening and we enjoyed being able to select the menu from a range of options. We felt very well taken care of from the time we arrived throughout the session. I think everyone learned helpful tips that we can take home and replicate. When gathering feedback, the agreement was “We like Chef Darren!” Overall I think you have a very well executed and put together program." - Electronic Arts (2-Hour Cooking Class | January 2010)

"Thank you so much for helping us to organize the most talked about Christmas event  any of our clients have attended in a long, long time.  I want to take this opportunity to extend our thanks for an absolutely fantastic evening. Our guests who attended this event with us are singing your praises. Chef Bernard and Tim were terrific hosts and had everyone laughing throughout the evening.  The food and wine were delicious and the service was outstanding.  We really appreciated that the inmates were given free run of the asylum.  I would like to rate all of the items as excellent." - CSL International Inc. (Iron Chef Challenge | Gold Wine Package | December 2009)

 "We had an absolutely excellent (5 star) day.  Chef Darren was fantastic.  The staff were all very welcoming.  I will definitely be referring your event to other executive groups, the same way my husband did for me. There is nothing we would change about the event.  Everything was perfect. Thank you again.  This was certainly a day to remember for all within the group." - ADT Security Ltd. (2-Hour Cooking Class / December 2009)

"I had such an amazing experience during a recent event (sponsored by Phonak) that I would LOVE to take just about any short course you are offering. Please let me know your 2010 schedule as soon as it comes available. Thank you sooooo much for a wonderful evening of fun and education!! I've been telling anyone who'll listen how much fun it was!!! PS. LOVE my apron!!!" - Phonak (2-Hour Cooking Class | Wine Package / November 2009)

"Thank you so much for an absolutely fabulous evening.  I am passing on rave reviews from all  in attendance.  I would rate everything as EXCELLENT in your survey.  Carsten was most helpful and cordial as were the chefs and all the staff.  The food and wine were delicious. (I can't believe we actually produced it!). The class was the perfect length and enjoyed by all and as for the cost, I feel we received good value.  Many in the group suggested doing this event on a regular basis!  Once again, you were a pleasure to deal with.  Thanks for a great time." - Royal Columbian Hospital (2-Hour Cooking Class  / November 2009)

"On behalf of our group, I wanted to sincerely thank you for your help in organizing a wonderful evening! Everyone had a great time and this morning, I have heard nothing but positive feedback about the venue, the chefs, the hosts, the food and the wine!  We look forward to the event next year. Thank you again!" - Hub International (Iron Chef Challenge / November 2009)

"You did everything well/excellent. I don't think anything can be improved. Everything flowed better than we thought it would.  Our Chef Instructors (Bernard & Phillip) made the event fun and relaxing.  We'll be back next year!" - Kahn Zack Ehrlich Lithwick LLP (2-Hour Cooking Class/October 2009)

"I was impressed with how well the staff built the mood very quickly to loads of fun and ruckus and maintained it throughout the evening, and yet still kept it a professional, classy, elegant event.  The Chef Instructors & Sommelier were excellent and the dining experience @ Bistro 101 was top notch! Throughout the next day I was bombarded with comments about how fun the evening was, what a great place, what great staff, and three of the guests are requesting contact information to look into booking the same thing for their teams.  Tim, the Sommelier, was simply the best!  And we are all arguing over which team had the best chef! " - Farm Credit Canada (2-Hour Cooking Class/Silver Wine Package/October 2009)

"We had a wonderful time.  Tim, Carsten and the students were a delight to work with.  PICA is a comfortable and inviting place to team-build.  The Chef facilitator's personality fit perfectly with the cheeky team that we have here at Prospera. The facilities were great and we were humbled by how much 'stuff - equipment/supplies' were on hand and in all the various locations. Very good value for the money spent. There is already talk about planning another cooking event (sushi I think)." - Prospera Credit Union (Iron Chef Challenge / October 2009)

"Great feedback!  Love it!  You did a fabulous job. You are great. Never done this before. I took a chance with this audience. In the end it was not a chance, it was Tim Ellison, a person who I have faith and trust in who can capture the most difficult of audiences.  From the bottom of my heart - Thank you very much Tim.  An outstanding edutainment event." - KPMG (Dining Etiquette Workshop/October 2009)

"Thank you again for leading the Dining Etiquette Luncheon! You did an unbelievable job with the event, and I'm incredibly thankful on how supportive and flexible you were throughout this entire process, so thank you so much for working with us! I learned quite a bit from you, and I'm happy with how everything turned out!" - Ignite! Conference and Career Fair (UBC) (September 2009 / Dining Etiquette Workshop)

"We just wanted to let you know that our team had a great time last night at P.I.C.A.  Tim, our host, was amazing, entertaining and a lot of fun!  The food was fantastic and everyone was appreciative of the ambiance as well as the service.  The event was above and beyond what we expected, so thank you and your staff for making our annual team event a success!" - Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management Ltd. (September 2009 / Iron Chef Challenge)

"Excellent. We always enjoy our classes.  The staff was very professional, pleasant & knowledgeable.  We will definitely do this will do it again. How do you improve upon perfection?" UATP (July 2009/2-Hour Cooking Class)

"Excellent! The Chef Instructors were very professional – everyone enjoyed their Chef.  We were very impressed with both their knowledge and skill. Everyone enjoyed the time spent in the kitchen – it went by very quickly. The chosen menu was excellent and enjoyed by all!  The time just flew by and everyone enjoyed the cooking experience." - CGA Association of BC (May 2009/2-Hour Cooking Class)

"I just wanted to send you a quick note telling you how very much we all enjoyed our evening!  What a great event!  I loved it so much that I'd like to come back with some girlfriends for a stagette." - Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP (April 2009/Iron Chef Challenge)

"I just wanted to let you know that we all had a great time last night and I have been receiving fantastic feedback all day - so thank you very much for a most enjoyable evening - both Chef Tim and Chef Bernard were fun to work with. The sense of humour of the chefs was very enjoyable.  The instruction in the kitchen was really good.  Also the information about the wines was fantastic - very detailed and interesting. The wine pairings worked well.   The Barley risotto was so innovative - I really liked that - a nice change from rice. Oh and the ravioli was amazing - the flavour of the olives and the leeks with the basil - terrific! I also loved the fact that we made the pasta from scratch - I had no idea we were going to do that." -  UBC (April 2009/2-Hour Cooking Class)

"I would like to once again thank you for taking the time out of your day to host the workshop (Dining Savvy & Wine Etiquette with Tim Ellison).  Indeed, you have set the motion for future wine drinkers and you have made a great impact on each and everyone of the students that attended.  So thank you for making such a positive impact on the World and on SFU Business students as well. It was absolutely entertaining and informative." - SFU Business School (March 2009 / Dining Etiquette)

"I was in the etiquette party last night. I just want to say thank you for such a fantastic speech and I totally love it! I think your speech was really influential and interesting and all of us enjoyed it so much! I do hope that in the future I can still get opportunities to meet you and listen to your speech. Considering I am going to the Bass banquet in March, I think your speech last night was such a great help to me so that I would at least not make myself embarrassed in any formal dinner. Thank you again for your great effort and if there is any chance I am looking forward to seeing you again in the future!" SFU Business School (March 2009 / Dining Etiquette)

"I just wanted to thank you again for organizing the Iron Chef competition for us last night.  We had a wonderful time with Chef Bernard and the members of the club were excited to cook in a professional kitchen.  The members also appreciated the aprons that they received at the end of the competition as well as the wooden spoons for the winning team." - UBC Food Society (March 2009 / Iron Chef Challenge)

"I would most definitely rate the experience as Excellent overall.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it is something that I would most definitely recommend for other groups.  Thanks again for all of your help and please pass along our thanks to the rest of the staff there." - Rick Hansen Foundation (February 2009/Iron Chef Challenge)

"We wanted to say THANK YOU so much as everyone had a wonderful time.  Come 10:30PM we had to kick them out; literally, as everyone seemed hunkered down, chatting, drinking and relaxing.  Never seen anything like it.   Again, all your help has been fantastic; I so enjoy our events with you as everything goes so well.  The nice thing is that I always know things work out there; I don’t have to panic or worry." - Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group (February 2009/2-Hour Cooking Class)

"I just wanted to pass along a huge thanks on behalf of the Business Career Centre of the Sauder School of Business. From your style to the content of the workshop to the amazing delivery of your ideas/jokes, it was truly a highlight of the day. Students are still buzzing about the experience, and I’m sure they’re eager to put their new moves to the test with some high-stakes business lunches. Thanks again for supporting this new program. I really appreciated your work, and, as I mentioned after your workshop, learned a lot about more about what it takes to make a good performance great." - Sauder School of Business/UBC (February 2009/Dining Room Etiquette)

"I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for making our first experience with PICA so positive.  Our expectations were exceeded from start to finish - whether it was with the venue, the iron chef challenge, the dinner, or the wine sommelier .... it just kept getting better as the evening progressed.  Most importantly our clients' feedback was tremendous, and it was unanimous that this year's event was probably the best as compared to previous years.  The two words that were consistent were: "memorable" and "different" (in reference to the iron chef challenge).  Our desire from the beginning was to have a client appreciation event that was intimate and memorable ...and that was accomplished!" The one person I would specifically like to recognize is Tim, your wine sommelier.  He was the perfect host all evening, so pleasant and gracious to deal with.  He truly gave the evening that special touch and I'm so happy we included his services.  In fact, if you ever need a testimonial for his services I would be glad to give one.  Once again, thank you for all of your time and effort and I truly appreciate the different ways you tried to accommodate us, even up to the very last minute." - Great West Life (February 2009/Iron Chef Challenge)

"Andritz Automation thoroughly enjoyed the team building session held last year at the PICA.  Last year we did the two-hour session with about 24 people.  We divided ourselves between two chefs and cooked a four course meal.  I heard nothing but positive feedback, not only was it the best meal we had all week (and we ate at some nice places that week), the concept of taking pride in your preparation so that the team would benefit was not lost. It also highlighted the fact that every piece of the meal contributes, and because everyone participated they felt included in the outcome – a key value for our company." - Andritz Automation Inc. (WA, USA) (comments re: February 2008 event and booking February 2009 event)

"I just wanted to thank you and all involved for a wonderful evening at last nights’ corporate cooking class.  Your staff was wonderful, particularly Chefs Simon and Bernard and Tim the sommelier.  Everyone seemed to go the extra mile to ensure that we all had a fabulous evening and a great meal – and as an added bonus, everyone loved the food!  I will be extolling the virtues of your school and the cooking classes as a team-building exercise to all!  Thanks again, and for making me look good in the eyes of my colleagues!!" - Ostara (2 Hour Cooking Class/January 2009)

"Thank you so much for organizing the Holiday Entertaining Workshop for Tourism Vancouver last night!  The meal was delicious, Tim and Chef Bernard were excellent, and everyone had a really great time. Those who hadn’t been before were very impressed with the dining room and facilities, and those who had were reminded of all the culinary tourism possibilities with lunches and workshops before or after Granville Island tours.  Once again, thank you, we had a really great time." - Tourism Vancouver (December 2008/Cooking Class)

"On behalf of our team from PricewaterhouseCoopers, I would like to say thank you. We had such a great time learning how to cook and enjoying our dinner. - PWC (2 Hour Cooking Class / December 2008)

"I meant to write sooner…sorry about that!  The event was WONDERFUL.  We had such a great time, the food was delicious, and of course, we have to applaud Chef Bernard and his excellent teaching skills.  Kudos to PICA for putting together such a successful team building event.  We (and our tummies) are looking forward to the next time!  Thanks again for all your help in booking the event." - Sierra Wireless (October 2008)

"I want to say thank you for coordinating an amazing experience for us last evening at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts.  Our group had a fabulous time and everyone was raving about the event. It was probably the most enjoyable insurance industry event that we’ve ever had.   Please pass along my special thanks to Carsten and Chefs Bernard, Julian and Tim as well as the rest of the staff assisting us last night. It was because of them and their enthusiasm and energy that we had such a wonderful evening.  I do have to say a specific thank-you to Chef/Sommelier Tim.  The wines he picked were absolutely perfect and I thank him for sharing with us some of his knowledge.  The food was delicious and we all took such pleasure in the fact that we actually made it ourselves!  I would recommend this experience to anyone and note that the professionalism and enthusiasm of everyone at PICA made our event the wonderful experience that it was." - Liberty International Underwriters (October 2008)

"I just wanted to send a note to say thank you again for helping to coordinate our team building event yesterday!  Our teams , D-licious and The Cream Puffs, had a fantastic time putting their creative energies together in the kitchen, with The Cream Puffs winning the challenge in the end.  Our lunch was incredible, and the meeting area worked out well for our purposes." - ICBC (October 2008)

"Just wanted to send a thank you to you and the staff for a great event yesterday!  Everyone enjoyed the meal and Iron Chef was super fun.  We will definitely keep this on our radar for future events." - Accenture (August 2008)

"A big thank you to you for arranging our event yesterday. I believe everything went superbly well certainly from the feedback I have received from all those who attended. Everyone had a wonderful time. We really had no idea what to expect or what each of us could actually accomplish in the kitchen but with team work, we at least prepared dinner. Chef Julian and Chef Simon were both fantastic and all of us actually picked up lots of cooking tips from them. Please convey our thanks to them. Once again, thank you so much for a successful evening and please convey our sincere thanks to Chef Julian, Chef Simon all your very friendly and attentive staff." - HSBC (August 2008)

"I personally wanted to tell you what a great time the team had and they are still talking about it to this day!' - American Express (July 2008)
 
"I have gotten such amazing feedback on the day from our clients; you do an exceptional job and provide service that is second to none!  Tim was absolutely outstanding, incredibly accommodating and a pleasure to work with!  Thank you to all of you for facilitating such an amazing day!  Thanks again for everything and we'll look forward to many more great events with you in the future." - Mackenzie Financial (July 2008)
 
"Our group had a wonderful time on Friday!  Thank you so much for the fun opportunity you provided us with.  Our team has been ranting and raving about it to everyone.  Your team of experts were so great, very friendly, and professional. Please extend our thank you to them also." - Pfizer (July 2008)

"Thank you for Saturday's event and a bigger thank you to you, the chefs and your staff for an amazing experience!  Our associates loved the concept and were all excited about the cooking class (even a bit surprise that they can cook).  The chefs made the evening most enjoyable and I would like to thank you personally once again for taking care of those individuals with special dietary needs.  Tim was amazing and so personable and I really enjoyed working with him.  I look forward to working with you and the institute again in the near future." - Richards Buell Sutton LLP (June 2008) 

"Just wanted to Thank You for all your efforts with regard to last week's event. I cannot tell you how pleased and happy the attendees were with the event. I had many of them tell me it was hands down the best corporate event they had attended. Thanks Again." - Canwest (June 2008)

"Thank you again for everything!  We ALL had an absolute blast on Friday.  Your chefs and staff were awesome and the food was amazing. And again, please thank everyone at the school for all of us. I'm sure we'll see you again," - TELUS (June 2008)

"Just wanted to thank you for helping me to organize this event.  We all had a fabulous time and learnt a few things as well.  Your head chef was excellent." - YWCA (May 2008)

"Just a note to let you know that our team had a fabulous time at last Thursday's Iron Chef Challenge - they loved it so much that they want to come back for more.  The feedback that I received was that the challenge was extremely well organized and tons of fun.  The staff were extremely helpful, professional and friendly.  Special thanks to our moderator, Chef Julian, the word that were used to describe him was fantastic!  Most importantly the food was delicious from start to finish…our hats off to all of you." - RBC Public Affairs (May 2008)

"Thank you so much for all of your help in organizing the event on Friday.  It was a huge success and we have been receiving nothing but positive feedback from the staff who participated!  The challenge was a lot of fun and everyone got involved.  Chef Bernard was a good sport and really helpful in getting us organized, along with the help from the kitchen aides.  The students did an absolutely amazing job on creating a gorgeous and delicious dinner (and wow – what a dessert table!!!).  Tim Ellison was truly a star that evening; his service, patience and smile really helped to make the evening so delightful!  We really appreciated his extra effort during the night.So again, thank you for all your assistance.  It was a real pleasure working with you to make such a fun gathering." - Peoples Trust (April 2008)

"I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you and your team for a wonderful experience yesterday!  Our group had an amazing time and were talking about it all morning. Thank you again from Methanex!!" - Methanex (April 2008)
 
"Everyone totally ENJOYED!!! the event. It was FUN FUN FUN and the food was awesome!!!! On behalf of my colleagues & myself @ TD Waterhouse Financial Planning please extend our THANKS to Chef and all your staff who helped make this event a memorable one. Cheers!!" - TD Waterhouse (April 2008)

"Just wanted to tell you how much our client and facilitation team enjoyed the Iron Chef event at the Culinary Arts on Feb 26.  It was perfect for our team – they thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the competitive spirit continued on into the evening.  Chef Bernard was excellent – a real hit with the group… his humour, judging, entertaining throughout… it was perfect! Overall very enjoyable and the dinner was great!  We would definitely consider this event with the new group starting later this year. Thanks again to you, Chef Bernard and your staff for all your support/planning!" - Teck Cominco/Right Managment (February 2008)

"I just wanted to thank you for the fabulous time we had at the team building activity on Wednesday night. Everyone had a lot of fun, and Chef Bernard was a very patient man with a great sense of humour:)  I would definitely recommend this activity to any corporate group looking to have a great evening out!" - Desjardins Card Services Division (January 2008)

"Everyone really enjoyed last nights cooking classes and the dinner.  The whole thing was very well organized thanks to you and the Chefs.  Everyone said that it was a great idea and the food we made was fabulous.   We all appreciate the Chef’s ‘tweaking’ the flavors after we were all done.  I appreciate your prompt attention to all matters from start to finish." - TD Securities (December 2007)

"I just wanted to say thanks again for a fantastic dinner hosted by your Chef’s Bernard and Ned. The cooking was a blast and the wine great. Thanks again." - AMO Canada Company (November 2007)
 
"Thank you very much for all your help with our team event.  Everyone had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  We all have a new appreciation for the science and the art behind cooking.  It was a great experience." - Methanex Corp. (November 2007)
 
"We would also like to thank you for organizing such an amazing event. We all had a blast; the food, chefs, atmosphere and the service were all great. I hope we see you at our future events." - Tekmira Pharmaceuticals (November 2007)
 
"Just a quick note to thank you and your staff, especially the chefs and Adam for taking such good care of our clients as well as our lawyers.  They all had a fabulous time and we hope to do this kind of event again in the future". - Richards Buell Sutton LLP (October 2007)

"I just wanted to let you know we had a great time last week at our cooking class.  Chef Bernard was wonderful to work with and he managed to coach us into making a wonderful meal. I would definitely recommend this event.  Our colleagues were all jealous! Thanks." - Morrison Hershfield (September 2007)

"A note to thank you for your assistance in organizing a most enjoyable and successful cooking class for us all last evening!  Your suggestions for the menu were excellent and everyone loved the variety at dinner.  Our guests also learned the finer points of making Mushroom Duxelle, Champagne Vinaigrette, Risotto and Ravioli and the Chocolate Lava cake was to die for!

Thanks again for your kind assistance in organizing this event for us and judging from our guests' rave reviews, we may be repeating this event in the future. Thanks." - RBC Dominion Securities (July 2007)

"We all had a wonderful time and again thank you and to your staff for making our day special." - BC Hydro (June 2007)

"We would like to express our appreciation for all the work you put into making our Team Building Event a success.  Please pass on our thanks to the two Chefs that were assigned to our groups.  They were a big part in making the Event so enjoyable and their patience with all of us was a credit to your facility." - CMHC (June 2007)

"I just wanted to thank you for an excellent event.  The Chef was terrific, the food outstanding and we all had a great time. Thank you for making it so easy to plan - I will be spreading the word about what a wonderful place you have!" - A&W Food Services of Canada (May 2007)

"Just wanted to follow up and say thank-you very much for a wonderful morning.  Our team had a fantastic time! Your chefs were a lot of fun and made the whole experience very memorable.  We had a number of managers comment afterwards that it was one of the best district retreats they had been to.  So thank-you again!  And the lunch that followed was delicious...you have some talented students. - TD Canada Trust (May 2007)

"Thank you so much for all your help with the Iron Chef Challenge event today!  The event was very well organized, despite the fact that we had an additional member at the last minute.  It was a lot of fun to participate, even if the other team won!!  I would definitely recommend that others participate in this sort of event in the future!!  The lunch was truly amazing!  I was very impressed by the presentation and flavours (sound just like a chef, don't I?!!) Anyway, it was very good and my compliments to the chefs!  Thanks again for your help." - MDA Systems Solutions (May 2007)

"On behalf of all of us who participated in yesterday's Iron Chef Competition, we would like to say 'Thank you' for providing us with such a fun-filled event. Not only did we have the opportunity to work together as a team, we also picked up some great cooking ideas!!!  We really enjoyed our lunch too!  Thank you to all your great Chefs for assisting us." - Health Match BC (May 2007)

"We wanted to thank you so much for making last night a great success.  The vibe and energy in each kitchen was great and everyone really enjoyed themselves." - Connor, Clark and Lunn Financial Group (May 2007)

"The team event for Nokia went extremely well, we all enjoyed it.  The Chefs that you assigned to the task were perfect, they made it even more fun. I'm sure that you will get more Nokia groups coming your way after I spread the word.  Thanks again." - Nokia (April 2007)

"We all had a great time!  Thanks to you and Chef Christian, the dinner turned out to be superb!!!  We surprised ourselves with the magic directions of Chef. Thanks."  - Department of Justice (March 2007)

"The evening was absolutely fabulous and all of our board members enjoyed themselves thoroughly!!!  Thanks so much for everything." - Chief Information Officer Association (Vancouver Chapter) (February 2007)

"Thank you very much for a great day yesterday.  Our Company had a lot of fun and enjoyed working together in the kitchen.  I also was appreciative that your organization was able to schedule our event so that some of our colleagues could enjoy the whole event before their afternoon meetings. Thanks again." - Allon Therapeutics (January 2007)

"Thank you for your help in organizing the class this week.  It was great and we all enjoyed our lesson and the dinner to follow. Thank you." - Inhance Investment Management Inc. (January 2007)

"Our group had a fab time. The Chef was great and we learned a lot as well. Meal was really good- though we ate too much! Thanks and all the best for the holidays." - Canada Bread (December 2006)

"We had a great event this past Tuesday evening.  Christian and crew made for a fun event and a spectacular meal. Thank you." - Bayer Canada (December 2006)

"Thanks for a great evening Giulia. The staff looked after us wonderfully.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves [2-HOUR Cooking Class/Dinner]." - Western Management Consultants (December 2006)
 
"We had a great event this past Tuesday evening (December 12, 2006).  Chef Christian and crew made for a fun event [2-HOUR Cooking Class/Dinner] and a spectacular meal." - Bayer Canada (December 2006)

"I just wanted to let you know that we had a great time last night. All of the staff this morning were mentioning that this by far was one of the better staff functions that we have planned...we will definitely spread the word. Please also extend our thanks to Chef Christian, he was awesome." - P.K. Group of Companies (December 2006)

"The cooking class was very successful.  The team enjoyed it very much." - Ernst & Young LLP (November 2006)
 
"I wanted to let you know that the feedback from the Iron Chef we did on November 23 was absolutely phenomenal. I haven't heard one negative comment, so I would like to pass along our appreciation to all concerned for making the event so successful.  Plus, the cookies and fruit served during the afternoon was excellent, as was dinner." - British Columbia Transmission Corporation (November 2006)
 
"Just want to thank you for putting together a wonderful event [Iron Chef Challenge/Dinner] for us.  We had an excellent experience!" - Connor, Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. (November 2006)
 
"I wanted to let you know that I heard a lot of great things about the Iron Chef Challenge.  I was nervous about not being around myself, but it sounds like people had a lot of fun. They said it was different (in a good way) and everyone had a chance to participate.  Thank you for the time you spent organizing this.  I know some of the staff have already referred people to Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts for their corporate needs, as have I.  Thank you again for everything." - D&H Group LLP (October 2006)
 
"Everyone had a great time and Chef Johannes was great.  Please let him know that everyone was appreciative of his time and that we all had a good time." - PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (October 2006)
 
"We had a great time.  Everyone loved it.  Thanks for arranging it.  I will let others know at TELUS that it was a success and suggest it to their teams." - TELUS (September 2006)
 
"Our team had a wonderful evening. Word is out and now other teams from our company are interested in the team building event." - Teekay Shipping (July 2006)
 
"Food was excellent. Great Service." - Thomas O'Neill & Associates (June 2006)
 
"The evening was fabulous especially the menu:) Spectacular pretty much sums it up...chefs, servers....everything!" - Intrawest (June 2006)
 
"I wanted to say thanks again to you and your team of chefs for a great night! Everyone loved it and is still talking about it." - Starbucks Coffee Canada (May 2006)
 
"The event last night was great! All of us had great fun cooking. It was very interesting to see how the dishes were made :-) Everything was really well organized." - Sage Software (February 2006)

"We had a wonderful time and the food was awesome. The Chef Instructor did a great job of engaging the group in the cooking process." - Electronic Arts (June 2005)

To celebrate the achievement of an important company milestone, or to raise morale during challenging times, book your corporate cooking class with us.

Contact our Events Department at 604-734-4488, email  or submit an online request for corporate team-buiding cooking classes to experience the thrill of a unique group challenge.