April 19th, 2010
At the LUSH Hub

In collaboration with Comox Valley Literacy Now, LUSH Valley brought in the formidable Vivian Cruise to secure some FoodSafe certifications.

Vivian Cruise, Chef Instructor, FoodSafe Instructor and Cookbook Author
Vivian attained her "Red Seal" - chef's papers in 1984 and has been involved in cooking since she was 5 years old, but professionally since 1977. Vivian worked at various restaurants in the Lower Mainland such as the Lazy Gourmet, Kettle of Fish, and Hy's Mansion and was Sous Chef at the SFU faculty club before spending 4 years teaching cooking and baking at 2 Vancouver Secondary Schools. Since moving to the Comox Valley in 1989, she was the chef for CYMC in the early 90's for 5 years, worked at Anderton Nursery, had her own catering business, worked at the Sid Williams Theatre, developed a cookbook and taught cooking for the towboating industry and teaches cooking and FoodSafe Level One (Basic) whenever and where ever it is needed for various organizations and colleges. Her new direction in life is to promote food security, support local farmers and food safety at all levels.
When Viv was a child if they didn't kill it or grow it they didn't eat it. Viv's favourite bumper sticker is: NO Farms, NO Food.

Summary of the FoodSafe course:
FoodSafe Level 1 is a somewhat comprehensive look at why we should be food safe at work(and at home), microbiology and how pathogens(disease causing microorganisms) are spread, the proper receiving, storage, handling, preparation, cooking and serving of foods, which foods are potentially hazardous, the effects of time and temperature on microbial growth, cleaning dishes and equipment and  Hand Washing. Part of the course also deals with work safety, injuries at work and how to prevent them. Vivian teaches the course using a workbook, lecture, 6 movies, 112 slides and class discussions. The exam will be marked before the students leave the classroom. Certificates will be issued within 3 weeks of successful completion of the exam.

Viv's favourite FoodSafe rule:  Wash your hands!