Dec 2, 2024

The Canadian Society of Nutrition Management Scholarships is a national level initiative to support individuals as they work towards a diploma in Food Service and Nutrition Management. Last month, two students in Langara’s Diploma in Nutrition and Food Service Management program were awarded the prestigious scholarship.

We spoke with one recipient, Adriana Purdie, about what inspired her to pursue Nutrition and Food Service Management, her work and volunteer experience, and how her education at Langara has shaped her future goals.

A chef’s journey to a new career

Adriana Purdie had been working as a chef in a senior’s care facility near Langara’s main campus, balancing her love for cooking with a desire to grow professionally. It wasn’t until she started working with a student from Langara’s Nutrition and Food Service Management program that she saw the potential to expand her career.

“There was a constant dual thought of ‘I need to upgrade, but I love my job’. Finally, I decided I didn’t want to be the person always making the soup,” said Adriana. “I wanted to propel my career forward in a setting where there’s a deeper aspect to the food, because I love what food can mean to people.”

Transforming passion into purpose

The Nutrition and Food Service Management program at Langara equips students to manage food service in various settings, with a focus on healthcare.

For Adriana, the program has allowed her to see food as more than just a meal. “When you step back and view it in a hospital setting, it becomes a vital need for people to be their best and healthiest selves. There’s a puzzle element to it."

"Whether you want to work in a hospital or want to manage a kitchen, this degree is incredibly far-reaching with what you can do with it as a career.”

Langara’s flexible learning options, including online and on-campus support classes, enable students like Adriana to balance their studies with work. She currently works with the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society, preparing meals for those in need.

“There’s a lot of flexibility in the choice of classes and the methods available. You can make it work with your life."

Building skills for the future

Langara’s Nutrition and Food Service Management Diploma can be completed in two years full time or up to six years part-time. Students can start the program in any semester, making it accessible for those with varying schedules.

A year into her program, Adriana is already seeing the impact of her education, thanks to the scholarship and her experiences in the program.

“I’m putting as many tools in my toolbox as possible to build something for myself so I can have a job that feels fulfilling. And there’s so much to learn that it’s been easy to eat up the material.”

True to her roots as a chef, Adriana’s words reflect her enduring passion for food and its role in transforming lives.

Take the first step toward your future in Nutrition and Food Service Management—apply now to join one of the three Diploma streams!