Chef Cato Cormier and General Manager Liz Jackimec…two exceptional humans making this amazing program possible!
Have you heard of Forks & Flicks? Every 3rd Friday of the month, West End families gather at
the Valour Community Centre’s Orioles site to enjoy a warm plate of dinner and a movie.
The program is free – but there is limited space; folks have to register to get a spot. The
spots go quickly every month, so if you’re interested in attending with your little ones, keep
your eye on our social media for the menu and movie announcement ahead of the event –
and email or call in to make a reservation.
If you’ve attended a Forks & Flicks event – you know that there is plenty of delicious food
getting served up! Everything is made fresh on site that day. There’s usually an unctuous,
slightly decadent comfort food as a main, a crunchy colourful salad (with home-made
dressing), a fresh fruit platter, perhaps a freshly baked good... and without a doubt, dessert.
Plus popcorn once the movie starts! We always have a vegan alternative available, and we
try our best to have some gluten-free options as well. The program also has a mentorship
component where local highschoolers may sign up to come into the kitchen to learn a skill
or two.
Behind the counter serving up this small feast is a charming, dedicated group of Valour
Community Centre staff and volunteers, ensuring the evening goes smoothly. And I’m there
too! I’m Cato – a local artist, community worker and cook. Every month I plan, prepare, and
help to serve out the food at Forks & Flicks. I also recently started designing the poster for
our event! A little about me – for a while I worked as a line cook at The Tallest Poppy, and
then coordinated the Healthy Meal Program at Art City for about 4 years. I’m also a
freelance illustrator, I make comics and give art workshops – often at libraries, all across
the city.
It’s been my distinct pleasure to run the Forks & Flicks program for almost a whole year
already. Hope to see you at the next one!
– Cato Cormier