Featured Vancouverite: Annika Reinhardt
Photo by Brenda Lowe
Hometown:
Reinsdorf, Germany, current population: 600. It’s a small village in Eastern Germany about 2½ hours southwest of Berlin. Yes, I grew up behind the Iron Curtain. My whole family still lives in the village and I visit at least twice a year.
How long have been a Vancouverite? Just over 10 years, but I’ve lived in Canada for almost 13.
Occupation:
Known as Social Bites, I help organizations plan and realize their community and social impact vision and ideas.
I’m currently working with Cressey Development on a project called Revolving Door @ Meccanica, a series of intimate charity events including fabulous art shows that are happening this month. I also run my own food focused event called #dinnerpartyYVR which is an in-home dinner party bringing together food lovers and hobby chefs to raise funds and awareness for their favourite charities. To date the event has raised over $15,000 for local organizations.
How did you connect with the featured hobby chefs that play a part in your events?
I’ve been fortunate to work with some amazing cooks over the past years. Many of them have done the event multiple times, which is amazing. Most people find out about #dinnerpartyYVR through social media, plus I love being out and about meeting people with a passion for food.
I’m always interested in connecting with new hobby chefs willing to open their homes to people who might seem like strangers today but could be friends tomorrow. Connect with me on Twitter @socialbites and tell me about your latest cooking adventures! The goal is to host another #dinnerpartyYVR in spring 2015 and I’d love to see lots of new and happy faces joining us.
How are the diners and charities for these events chosen?
Diners get to pick their meal on our website where we list all hobby chefs (generally 30 in total), their menus, as well as the charity they support. Each hobby chef gets to pick their own charity because the impact is much greater if people can rally behind their own causes. From child education to kitty shelters, hobby chefs have introduced #dinnerpartyYVR participants to many amazing local organizations.
Have you always worked in fields that have allowed you to connect with, and to connect people together, and do you feel like this process is evolving in the city?
I’m a connector at heart and feel that bringing people together to create or experience something amazing is my purpose in life.
I think there are lots of opportunities for likeminded individuals to connect in Vancouver but you have to seek them out and be open to exploring. I sometimes feel people talk about isolation and disconnect in Vancouver without having even tried to find events or gatherings that bring people together.
This month, simply check out Interesting Vancouver or Revolving Door and I guarantee you’ll meet at least one person you could have coffee with after the event. Making connections entails action and an open mind. Don’t hide under a rock and expect to make friends – reach out and meet people! Vancouverites are a very friendly bunch and willing to spend time, if you just try.
You are a hungry seagull, but you only have the opportunity to snatch one culinary item from one unsuspecting visitor. What would it be?
As a seagull, I would position myself right outside of Hawkers Market. This artisan market runs every other month and actually features many of my former hobby chefs and their food creations. I’d hold out until somebody dropped a bit of a Joel Ochsendorf dish like pork shoulder wrapped in a soft beignet and topped with roasted peaches.
Who are the three most inspiring people with a focus on social projects and entrepreneurship in Vancouver right now?
I admire what Bonnie and Keith at Spring.is are doing. Great people investing in, and elevating social entrepreneurship in the city.
Theo Lamb is a trailblazer when it comes to facilitating social impact projects as part of the Social Venture Institute.
I also appreciate Crystal Henrickson, my partner in crime for #dinnerpartyYVR. She has successfully built online and offline communities through her passion and knowledge in the field. I’m very fortunate to be working with her and there is never a dull moment when Crystal is around.
Do you know someone who would be a great featured Vancouverite? Let us know in the comment box below!
Article source: http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2014/11/04/featured-vancouverite-annika-reinhardt/
