The Fairmont Empress Hotel sustainability team will host an Empress dining experience for Pacifica Housing’s tenants living at Camas Gardens next week.
Four Fairmont Empress chefs will prepare the special dinner alongside formerly homeless adults, sharing their knowledge about cooking nutritious food on a budget that participants can easily replicate.
Giving it the “Empress-Touch,” dinner will be served on finely decked tables in Camas’ court yard. All of Camas Gardens’ 44 tenants are invited to join the cooking party for the meal.
Camas Gardens, one of Pacifica’s newest supported housing complexes, includes 44 self-contained bachelor and one-bedroom apartments for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness including individuals who may be facing challenges such as mental health or addiction.
“It is wonderful to see an organization such as Fairmont Empress show so much dedication to community involvement,” said Mary Ellen Van Dusen, interim executive director at Pacifica Housing.
“This sends a clear message to the tenants in Pacifica’s supported housing that they are valued members of their community and there are people out there who care for them.”
Fairmont Empress executive sous chef Michael Pagnacco said balanced nutrition is fundamental to every person’s physical and emotional well being.
“We are thrilled to be able to share how to prepare healthy food on a budget with tenants living at Camas Gardens.”
The meal will be served June. 18.