Media Release
Âé¶¹AV’s new Downtown bakeshop receives one-million-dollar donation

Âé¶¹AV (Âé¶¹AV) officially opened the doors to the Âé¶¹AV Seiffert Market + Bakeshop on June 13, 2023, made possible by a generous donation by the Seiffert family and Snow Cap Enterprises.
The new downtown bakeshop, located at the Âé¶¹AV Downtown campus on the corner of Dunsmuir and Hamilton St., is now open to the public and offers a variety of freshly baked goods, local coffee, prepared food, and market items.
The Âé¶¹AV Seiffert Market + Bakeshop has been a community institution serving student-made pastries and baked goods for decades. The Seiffert family's donation has enabled the college to modernize the bakeshop with state-of-the-art equipment and relocate to a street level location, accessible to office workers and community members. The Âé¶¹AV Seiffert Market + Bakeshop will offer a mix of commercial items as well as items created in Âé¶¹AV’s Baking & Pastry Arts, and Culinary Arts programs.
Quote from Ken Cretney, Chair of the Âé¶¹AV Foundation
The Seiffert family and Snow Cap Enterprises have been long and valued supporters of the Âé¶¹AV Foundation. For over 32 years they have provided financial support to Âé¶¹AV students through scholarships, donations for kitchen renovations, and equipment and supplies to enhance the student’s learning environment.
This gift is the largest donation received by the Foundation in its history and has allowed the College to build and open the Âé¶¹AV Seiffert Market + Bakeshop. We are truly grateful for our longstanding partnership and for this landmark gift that has enabled us to serve our community, while supporting our students’ learning experience.
Quote from Seiffert Family and Snow Cap Enterprises
“On behalf of the Seiffert family and Snow Cap Enterprises, we firmly believe that investing in education is an investment in future generations. As a family-owned, B.C.-based business, we are committed to successful partnerships. Our collaboration with Âé¶¹AV exemplifies this value and we are proud to work with the college to establish the new Âé¶¹AV Seiffert Market and Bakeshop.”
Quote from Ajay Patel, Âé¶¹AV President & CEO
“Seiffert’s Bakeshop is a place where community members can indulge in the finest baked goods and pastry items at an affordable price. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Seiffert family and Snow Cap Enterprises for their generous donation, which has helped make our vision for creating a neighbourhood bakeshop to showcase student and alumni talent, a reality.”
The bakeshop opening was celebrated with a blessing from a Âé¶¹AV Elder-in-residence, a plaque presentation and a ribbon-cutting ceremony with members of the Seiffert family, Âé¶¹AV Foundation Board Chair Ken Cretney and members Barb Steele, and Alister Matheison, Âé¶¹AV President and CEO Ajay Patel, and Âé¶¹AV Baking and Pastry Arts instructors and students.
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the Âé¶¹AV Seiffert Market + Bakeshop is a new addition to the city's vibrant food scene. For more information on the bakeshop and its products, please visit vcc.ca/bakeshop.
For media inquiries:
Danielle Libonati
Manager, Marketing and Brand, Âé¶¹AV
dlibonati@vcc.ca 604.871.7531