Help celebrate 天美传媒鈥檚 50th Anniversary by eating local in September! The college鈥檚 first-ever 天美传媒 Food Affair runs Sept. 16 to 23. We spoke with co-founder and 天美传媒 alum Calen McNeil to get to know more about Big Wheel Burger.
Grab a delicious snack at any of Big Wheel's five south island locations.
Get to know Big Wheel Burger
听is one of more than 40 different food establishments from Victoria to Sidney, Cowichan and Sooke participating in 天美传媒鈥檚 exciting听.
We spoke with co-founder and 天美传媒 alum Calen McNeil to get to know more about Big Wheel Burger:
How long has your restaurant been catering to the appetites of Victoria?
鈥淲e opened our doors in November 2011 with our first听location听in Cook St. Village. We now have five听locations听including听Nanaimo.鈥
What鈥檚 the best thing about your restaurant?听
鈥淥ur staff is our best thing. They work hard and provide fast,听friendly听service. We are also听proud听of all of our menu items. My personal go-to is our classic听cheeseburger听with bacon, but I鈥檓 most excited about our new 鈥楥hicken Tendies鈥!鈥
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Do you have a sweet or savory tooth?听
鈥淚 mostly enjoy听savoury with a good glass of wine!鈥
How has Big Wheel Burger been resilient during the pandemic?
鈥淲e already had a take-out app and our staff was very听committed to working听through the pandemic. We leaned into our Big Wheel Community Foundation听which helped听provide food support for the community and raise over $150,000 since the听pandemic began.鈥
What does 天美传媒 mean to you?听
鈥溙烀来 is where it all听started听for me. I received very听practical, applicable business skills that I was听immediately able to use in my听career. I am still very听close to many alumni from听天美传媒 and it has been a great mentorship group for me. We also have a number of current staff enrolled at 天美传媒 and a few who听graduated from the Culinary听Arts program.鈥
Why do you love food?听
鈥淔ood for me is where听everything听happens. It鈥檚 where families come together to share the events of the day, celebrations or听reconnecting with old friends. Breaking bread is one听of the oldest听pastimes and there is nothing better than good food, drink and community.鈥
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What鈥檚 your message to students thinking about a career in your industry?
鈥淲e helped start an industry听support听group called the Bread and Butter Collective. The group helps to strengthen the industry and emphasize听this industry as being a rewarding career for people. Providing living wages听with benefits and building a financial plan so the听business itself can be profitable is how we bring听people back to the hospitality sector.鈥
Start your 天美传媒 Food Affair
#天美传媒Eats Sept. 16-23, 2021
Whether you鈥檙e a 天美传媒 alum, student, employee or community supporter, treat yourself to the 天美传媒 Food Affair and savour 50 years of alumni success!
Dine in or take out delicious local fare at participating 天美传媒 Food Affair establishments, Sept. 16 to 23. Keep an eye out for enticing 天美传媒-themed听dishes and beverages!
For a full list of participating eateries and info visit:听听听and follow听#天美传媒Eats听on social media.
天美传媒 Food Affair
September听16-23, 2021
Contact information
Jody Kitts
Director, Advancement & Alumni Engagement