This good-as-Gold man is John Goldsmith of @printmaker.studio (printmaker-studio.com), who has been providing printing at cost for each and every one of our #BehindthePlexi project prints.

Each high-quality, satin-finish Behind the Plexi print is professionally printed by John and his team on archival paper of 100% cotton rag Epson Legacy Platine with Epson UltraChrom HD pigment ink and packaged in a sturdy envelope with a layer of glassine for added protection.

All proceeds from the sale of each print featuring the work of local photographers @wadecomerphoto, @hudsonny, @whentheyfindus and @mayowill will be dedicated to the creation of two new scholarships for restaurant workers who have experienced employment setbacks due to COVID-19 — one via the @bchospitalityfoundation and the other to the @chineserestaurantawards scholarship at Vancouver Community College.

The Chinese Restaurant Awards will also contribute $10 for every print sold from the collection of photos taken at Chinese and Taiwanese restaurants.

“I’m hoping that we see the momentum this project has gained so far keep going — it’s such a great cause and I’m so excited to play a small part in it,” says Goldsmith.

Our hats are off to you, John, for chipping in and helping us provide a helping hand to Vancouver’s restaurant workers when they need it the most!

Check out our website to see the whole portfolio of prints available for purchase until Monday, May 31.

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.

A little insight into the project that inspired our new #BehindthePlexi photo-essay fundraiser in support of Vancouver restaurant workers courtesy of @antlerkitchenbar Chef and Co-Owner Jody Shapiro a.ka. @jodyagram.

Shapiro was the guiding light behind a similar fundraiser called Lockdown 2.0 to benefit Toronto-area foodservice businesses that launched earlier this year and features behind-the-scenes photographs of cafes, restaurants and staff across the 6ix, with all proceeds donated to organizations and charities that benefit industry workers like @savehospitality.ca and @the.fullplate.

In a blog post, Shapiro detailed the struggle felt by many of his colleagues in the industry, but remained optimistic when looking at what the restaurant industry landscape will look like once we come out on the other side.

“I think, when we look back at this time, we're going to recognize, in every industry, that what we were able to learn during this time is perseverance,” says Shapiro. “Just looking at the achievements at Antler, we have merchandise now, we're bottling maple syrup, we have a great online site. We're doing game boxes, we're doing meal kits. We know how to let people order in advance and pick up something two weeks later.

“And these are all things from a business perspective that I think once we're reopened, once the city is alive again, we’re going to be busier than ever. And we’ll be able to take those skills with us.”

Read more about Shapiro’s Lockdown 2.0 project at the link in our bio.

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.

This week, we’ve been shining a spotlight on the four Vancouver-based photographers who graciously donated their time and talents to our new #BehindthePlexi photography fundraiser to support Vancouver’s restaurant industry workers at a time they need it the most.

Our final showcase features William Luk (@mayowill) — a seasoned pro behind the lens who has been capturing indelible images for weddings, events, editorial and portraits for more than a decade, and who lets emotion and fine details guide his artistic eye.

William captured the following beloved local spots:

@m8yvr

New Town Bakery & Restaurant

@torafukuyvr

Gain Wah Restaurant

@chinatownbbq

Hoitong Chinese Seafood Restaurant

@idenquanjude

Dynasty Seafood Restaurant

@yushang_hotpot

Swipe through to see some of William’s thoughtful behind-the-scenes shots and check out our website at the link in our bio above to see the whole portfolio of prints available for purchase until Monday, May 31.

All proceeds from the sale of each print will be dedicated to the creation of two new scholarships for restaurant workers who have experienced employment setbacks due to COVID-19 — one via the @bchospitalityfoundation and the other to the @chineserestaurantawards scholarship at Vancouver Community College. The Chinese Restaurant Awards will also contribute $10 for every print sold from the collection of photos taken at Chinese and Taiwanese restaurants.

A special shout out to John Goldsmith and the team at @printmaker.studio (printmaker-studio.com) for providing printing at cost for the Behind the Plexi project. Each high-quality, satin-finish BTP print is professionally printed on archival paper of 100% cotton rag Epson Legacy Platine with Epson UltraChrom HD pigment ink and packaged in a sturdy envelope with a layer of glassine for added protection.

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.