TORONTO — A scholarship program in honour of one of Toronto’s leading hospitality influencers, the late Brian Cooper, former Dean of Hospitality and Tourism at George Brown College, will be announced at a special event held June 8 at Toronto’s Pearl Diver restaurant.
The permanent Cooper Room at Peal Diver will also be unveiled. “When I first came to George Brown College, Brian Cooper showed me the true meaning of being a great host,” says Pearl Diver partner and George Brown Chef School graduate Rudy Guo. “It’s informed everything I’ve done since I left school and I’d like to honour their memory.”
Guo and Pearl Diver partners and chefs Tom Milosz Malycha and Martin Zechel want to pay forward some of their lessons learned to the next generation of young cooks and hospitality students by providing a permanent home for a series of seasonal dinners. The Cooper Dinners will pair young chefs with an experienced hand for a one-night dinner, with 50 per cent of proceeds going towards the Spirit of Hospitality scholarship program.
The first Cooper Dinner will be June 8, featuring guest chef Michael Blackie from Ottawa. Blackie, who will be assisted by George Brown Culinary School graduates, will create a number of special dishes, which will be offered alongside the regular Pearl Diver menu.
