“Cooking is more than just coming up with a good dish. It is a sum of work and personal skills and talents that need to be developed.”
Xóchitl Montoya earned a diploma in Postgraduate Culinary Management. After visiting Nelson from her home in Mexico City, she promised herself that she would one day live in the small town that was rich in culture and art.
"I took the two-year Culinary Management program at Selkirk College, and I really enjoyed it. The teachers here are very understanding—they always have time to answer questions and are always willing to help.
"I studied alongside students from all over the world and learned about their cultures, and we all learned how to work together as a team. The small campuses here make it easy to meet people from other programs and I made friends for life! There’s so much to do here, like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, kayaking and hiking.
"I got a job at Selkirk College, and I love working here. I started as a cultural assistant and now I’m working in the kitchen doing what I love: cooking. I feed all the students—it’s my turn to give back. I also run my own catering business Tlakuali Mexican Cuisine, which serves authentic Mexican food. I’m so glad I decided to come to Selkirk College."
Xóchitl received the International Entrance Scholarship.
Learn more about Postgraduate Culinary Management.
Xóchitl Donají Faustino Montoya, Postgraduate Culinary Management alum