Celebration honours Willi Fida Culinary Bursary recipient

Alexandre and Melanie Fida presented Andrea Heuving with the Willi Fida Culinary Bursary Award.

Friends and family of the late Willi Fida honoured his pioneering efforts to develop fine culinary experiences within Prince Edward County Wednesday night with the presentation of the Willi Fida Culinary Bursary, at Angeline’s Restaurant in Bloomfield.
Each year, a bursary of $1500 is awarded to benefit a student from Prince Edward County who is pursuing a post-secondary culinary education. All proceeds from the evening went into the Willi Fida Bursary Fund.

This year’s recipient was Andrea Heuving, a graduate of PECI, who will be attending Sir Sanford Fleming’s Culinary Management program. Andrea was a member of the PECI Iron Chef competition team last year that won gold at the Loyalist College event. She also competed at the Skills Competition, placing second, moving forward into the Skills Ontario Competition. She currently works at East & Main Bistro in Wellington with her Iron Chef coach Lily Sullivan.

Melanie and Alexandre Fida, the daughter and son of Willi Fida,  awarded Andrea with the bursary and explained to the crowd what Prince Edward County means to them. “Our father was truly an inspiration and continues to be” said Melanie, “We are pleased to see the community support, along with the support of the Community Foundation, and are honoured to host such an event in honour of our father.” Melanie went on to express gratitude to the community, that she and her brother consider to be like a large family.

Angeline’s was filled with friends, family and supporters, enjoying conversation, wine and delicious finger foods. The wine was donated by local wineries, with proceeds going toward  the bursary. Peta Hall generously donated hand-made plates created for each person attending the dinner.

Melanie and Alexandre Fida also presented Carlyn Moulton, President of The County Community Foundation, with $500. The County Community Foundation is locally run with the goal of supporting community vitality. It does this by building and managing endowment funds to support charitable activities in the County.

The Foundation benefits the community by promoting the value of charitable giving, by attracting new sources of funding from foundations outside the community, and by linking donors with a wide range of community organizations, causes and charities. It works collaboratively with other funders and grant makers to help serve the needs of the community. The foundation focuses on partnerships – helping donors realize their goals by matching their interests with community needs and organizations; working with other community organizations and charities; and helping the County access national project funds that are available through Community Foundations of Canada. It welcomes opportunities for collaboration with existing charitable initiatives, or for other special funds or projects that fit within the mandate to improve the lives of present and future generations of Prince Edward County residents. More information about the County Community Foundation and their projects visit www.countycommunityfoundation.ca. – Amber Martin photos