Brothers Danny and Kevin Murphy were honoured by Holland College today with the naming of the Danny & Kevin Murphy Café and Commons at the Tourism & Culinary Centre. The well-known businessmen joined together to make a $200,000 gift to the Holland College Foundation for Nourish, a capital campaign to revitalize The Culinary Institute of Canada, which concluded earlier this year.
“Holland College’s commitment to practical learning and training in the culinary, tourism, and hospitality industries has been instrumental to us as we have built our businesses,” said Danny Murphy. “As a community, we need to work together to continually enhance our educational institutions.”
Kevin Murphy, who also served on the Holland College Foundation Board and chaired the Nourish campaign fundraising committee, agreed.
“Education is a fundamental pillar to a vibrant economy,” said Kevin Murphy. “We are pleased to support Holland College, and The Culinary Institute of Canada in particular, given the close connection between the school and our industries.”
Danny Murphy founded D.P. Murphy Inc. in 1980 with the opening of two Tim Hortons restaurants on Prince Edward Island. That same year, Murphy Hospitality Group was started by his brother, Kevin, with one restaurant. Today, the Murphy brothers have, with their families, grown empires that encompass restaurants, franchises, and hotels.
Located on the lower level of the Tourism & Culinary Centre, the Danny & Kevin Murphy Café and Commons is a high traffic gathering space for students and staff, and a busy venue for internal and external events. Dr. Sandy MacDonald, president of Holland College, sees the commitment made by the Murphy brothers as a strong endorsement from industry.
Danny and Kevin have been long-time supporters of Holland College and the Holland College Foundation, Their generosity and support has been outstanding, and speaks volumes about the strength of the college's programs. We are proud to recognize and celebrate their generous support by naming this integral space within The Culinary Institute of Canada. -- Dr. Sandy MacDonald
Nourish, a $7.5 million initiative to revitalize The Culinary Institute of Canada, was made possible through private donors, the Government of Canada, and the Province of P.E.I. Renovations to approximately 8,500 square feet have been completed, including an expansion to incorporate a state-of-the-art butchery, a cold cuisine production kitchen, and more than $1.8 million in the latest technology and equipment. The dining room has also been expanded, and the cafeteria has been redesigned to better replicate the modern food service environment.
In this picture: Holland College Foundation Board Chair Ron Keefe (left) and Holland College President Dr. Sandy MacDonald (right), congratulate leadership donors Danny and Kevin Murphy (centre) on the naming of the Danny & Kevin Murphy Café and Commons at the college’s Tourism and Culinary Centre. (Photo courtesy Al Douglas)
For more information about this release, please contact:
Jo-Ann Campbell-Boutilier, Executive Director - College Advancement and the Holland College Foundation
Tel: 902-629-4273
Date: Thursday, May 23, 2019
