MEET A MEMBER MONDAY
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SKYLAR SAWERS, CF Okanagan
Skylar Sawers currently holds the position of a Director at Large, as well as a co-social media chair with CF Okanagan.
Skylar has had a less than conventional path so far. Growing up in the prairies with very humble beginnings, she learned how to cook for herself by necessity. Then at the age of 14, moving with her family to Ningbo, China, exposed her to an entirely new culture, styles of cooking, and outlook on life. Coming back to Canada, she started on remedying her education. Whilst completing this, she worked various jobs in kitchens to pay the bills. She met Chef Doug Overes C.C.C., who convinced her to sign up for the apprenticeship program at the Lethbridge College.
After receiving her Red Seal & Alberta Journeyman, she proceeded to assist in building up Prime Catering and its independent restaurant venture Italian Table. Through the 7 years working with these companies, she was very active within the Culinary Federation.
Starting in her first year of culinary school, Skylar became the Young Chef Vice President of her branch, where she spearheaded an initiative to provide free cooking classes to people with disabilities, with great success. She continued her work within the Lethbridge Branch of the Culinary Federation where she eventually held Vice-President for a term and President for two terms.
In 2020, she relocated to Kelowna, B.C., where she started working at Summerhill Winery under a fellow CF member Chef Jeremy Luypen. Skylar has continued her work for the Culinary Federation with the CF Okanagan Branch. She has found a place of belonging within the Okanagan Valley by building new connections and having the ability to explore a more sustainable lifestyle.
Using the skills and experience she has gained over the past ten years, Skylar wants to go forward making a difference in Culinary culture; whether through aiding in food initiatives for low-income individuals, volunteer work or being an avid mental health advocate however she can.
Skylar has grown to be a consummate professional with an incredible caring, mentoring and nurturing style. The younger cooks and chefs that Skylar has worked with continue, to this day, to reinforce the teachings Skylar has imparted upon them.
Chef Doug is quoted as saying, "I see a long and illustrious career for Skylar and consider her to be one of Lethbridge College's and the Culinary Federation's greatest success stories in the last 10 years. I am so very proud of her and wish her all of the best".