About anoop virk

Anoop Virk is an award-winning nonprofit founder, executive producer, authorized home builder, and restaurateur of Basmati & Spice, a wellness focused food concept that is now available in more than 900 hospitals serving patients and healthcare workers.  As an executive producer, she has produced TEDxVancouver, TEDxWhistler, and cooking series with Mayo Clinic, and also Food Network. 

Known for her philanthropic initiatives including building a gender equality based school in Africa and reconnecting homeless in Vancouver to their lost loved ones, she has dedicated the last decade to successfully creating and executing businesses and purposeful projects, advocating for girls and education, and representing Canada.

Born in Vancouver, Anoop was one of Canada's Top 20 Under 20, a We Are Family Foundation Youth Ambassador, BC's 24 Under 24, and an Ambassador for the Minvera Women's Foundation. She was invited to Rideau Hall by the Prime Minister and Governor General for the celebration of exceptional Canadian service, and was selected to give a gift to the Royal highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate. Through her philanthropic projects, Anoop has connected with some of the most influential movers and shakers around the world - Ndaba Mandela, Chelsea Clinton, President Jimmy Carter, Bono, and Nile Rodgers. 

As the first female Executive Producer and Creative Director for TEDxVancouver, Anoop has worked with some of the worlds most acclaimed leaders such as Canada's first and only female Prime Minister, Kim Campbell.

She has been interviewed by CNN and featured across various media outlets including The Globe and Mail and Maclean’s magazine.

As a teenager, Anoop Created Project L.O.V.E (Letting Our Voices Empower) that focuses on education, gender equality, and giving girls equal access to opportunities, which built a primary community school in Zambia.

She has extensive experience and education in development, policy, comparative world politics, culture, and society. As a student in the SFU-Douglas Dual Degree program, she completed her Intercultural and International Studies Degree at Douglas College with the President’s Entrance Scholarship, and completed her International Studies Degree at Simon Fraser University as a Dean’s Honor Roll Student. Her interdisciplinary education working alongside her projects in the most vulnerable communities internationally has provided in depth knowledge and tools to understand the complexities in development. 

As a co-owner with Food Network Canada’s Bal Arneson, Anoop continues to manage and operate their culinary businesses. They have been at the forefront of innovative health and wellness, stopping food waste, and revolutionizing the food scene with their partnership with the 30 Billion Dollar Foodservice company Compass Group, bringing their concepts to airport lounges, schools, hospitals such as the Mayo Clinic, and patient care menus.