Tesla Motors put a showroom in Toronto’s Yorkdale shopping mall to mark their first footprint in Canada. What other car company have you heard doing that before? I was thrilled to be one of the first to preview the Tesla store as part of the Yorkdale expansion grand opening and see the famous Tesla S all-electric sports car up close and personal. It was beautiful inside and out! The dashboard is all electronic. The middle console is a large 18″ beautiful and vibrant touchscreen display from which all controls are made including air conditioning, sound system, navigation and rear backup camera. The console also allows you to adjust the car’s steering, suspension and brake regeneration settings. There is also the possibility of software updates to the touch-screen system. Other car manufacturers should take note of this! And it couldn’t be better timing after the Tesla S was just named MotorTrend’s 2013 Car of the Year. Check out MotorTrend’s video below! The base model Tesla is amazingly affordable with an entry price of only $65K not including government tax rebates (about $5k off). It delivers on all fronts with its looks, and performance with an impressive 362 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque at the base model (the Model S delivers 416 hp and 443 lb-ft torque). Also keep in mind that due to it’s all-electric nature the torque is available instantly, making the Model S capable of reaching 0-60 in 4 seconds. Read MotorTrend’s article about the Tesla Model S and check out MotorTrend’s new video below Congrats Tesla Motors and welcome to Toronto! Ladies and gentlemen, be sure to take a visit next time you’re at Yorkdale! Contact info for the new Yorkdale store www.teslamotors.com/yorkdale
The sixth annual fundraiser Ultimate Jet Set Experience, featured an auction with fabulous trips aboard private jets in support of the Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club. The evening on Nov 7th, 2012 was hosted by Zaib Shaikh, best known for his role in CBC’s Little Mosque on the Prairie. The young and enthusiastic Dionne Quintyn reflected back on her experience with the Kiwanis Club growing up and how it positively helped her own personal situation. DJ Floh Back provided the musical ambience while Oliver & Bonacini had great gourmet food stations and hors d’oeurves to accompany the reception set up throughout great Arcadian Loft venue. ABOUT THE TORONTO KIWANIS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB The Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Clubs is a member organization of Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada. Founded in 1936 by the Kiwanis Club of Toronto, the Clubs have been providing a safe place for after-school, evening and school break programs. The Clubs serves 1,100 children and youth in the Regent Park, Cabbagetown and Trinity Bellwoods communities annually. With a rich 75-year history the Club has helped over 50,000 children discover, develop and achieve their full potential by providing a continuum of after-school programs and services for children and youth between the ages of six to 24. The Club, a United Way member agency, is a leading non-profit provider of programs that support the healthy physical, education and social development of Toronto`s children and youth. The Club provides children from low-income families with supervised after-school activities centred on literacy and learning; cooking and nutrition; creative arts; physical activity; personal development; career development and leadership training. Sixty-nine percent of the Club’s families earn less than 20 thousand dollars annually. To learn more, please visit www.believeinkids.ca [print_gllr id=5012 sort=title]
This year’s annual Teddy Bear Affair had the theme of 1920’s era Paris, France in a decade known by many as “LES ANNÉES FOLLES” or the Roaring Twenties. The theme drew influences from Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris and the Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgterald. The evening brought over 1,000 of the GTA’s influential and senior executives, co-hosted by Toronto Adriano Belli from the Toronto Argonauts, and Jennifer Hedger, TSN Sportscentre anchor. It was apparent this was one of the classier galas in Toronto by the attire of the guests dressed to the nines but at the same time it wasn’t too stuck-up, as the guests and the atmosphere encouraged fun. The decor from our friends at Designing Trendz helped to transport us to the timeframe as well as the French costumes, accordion player and busker-style entertainment. It was one of the best decorated galas we’ve been to at the Metro Convention Centre. There were many activities to enjoy such as one-on-one handwriting analysis, aura reading, a large silent auction and also a really great live auction. The “Tiffany Bear” raffle tickets came in the form of cuddly Tiffany & Co branded teddy bears that came with the purchase of a raffle ticket. It was great to see philanthropists picking up bundles of the teddy bears! Great moments from the Teddy Bear Affair for Children’s Aid Foundation performances by The Dance Company, and especially the performance by Juno award winners, Glass Tiger. That’s right – the one and only Canadian rock band right from Newmarket Ontario you remember from the ’80’s! As soon as they got on stage, guests young and old flocked to the dance floor and had a great time. Best of all, over $1 million was raised for Children’s Aid Foundation! ABOUT CHILDREN’S AID FOUNDATION The Children’s Aid Foundation is a national organization committed to improving the lives of abused, neglected and at risk children and youth through prevention, enrichment and education. As a registered charity, we raise funds to implement programs across the country that give disadvantaged children and youth the skills and support they need to reach their full potential. To learn more visit http://www.cafdn.org Loving the Tiffany teddy bear! My #TeddyBearAffair's Tiffany & Co. 'tattoo' – he's a way cool bear like that : ) pic.twitter.com/kWxCB9Pz — cjongeward (@cjongeward) November 11, 2012 As fun as the evening was, most importantly we must remember that Teddy Bear Affair raises funds to improve the lives of disadvantaged kids across Canada. Watch Children’s Aid Foundation’s video “Support and Hope”. [print_gllr id=4853 orderby=”title”]
Get your tickets for the Future Sinai Culinary throwdown! Purchase tickets by via PayPal, or contact Melissa Campisi at 416-586-4800 ext. 4681. Get more details by clicking on the poster below!
Aspiring chefs baked their very best cookies and brought them out to be judged by celebrity chef Chuck Hughes at Cookie Battle, as a pre-event leading up to the big “Chef’s Challenge for a Cure” event on December 1st. The evening started with the charismatic Chuck Hughes signing autographs for guests with his new book, Garder Manger, at the SubZero and Wolf showroom. Chuck was so approachable, graciously allowing anyone to interrupt and take pictures with him. It was non-stop for the poor guy! Dozens and dozens of sweet (some savoury) and delicious cookies of all kinds were brought in. We heard there were going to be about 20 cookie-contestants but it seemed more like 30 … fine by us! With so many great cookies to try, I think everyone was in some much-needed milk! But wine was just fine by us! Watch this video clip about what to expect in the upcoming Chef’s Challenge. He reminds everyone that Chef’s Challenge will not only be fun, but don’t forget that the competition will also be fierce. It was especially entertaining when he talked about last year’s winner, Mark McEwan, and also David Rocco. After the speech, Chuck was ready to get down to Cookie Battle! Chuck was asked to narrow it down to the top 3 but he had a tough time with shortlisting 3rd and 4th place so it was decided he would choose the top 4. All the cookies were great but in the end there was no surprise. Congrats to Amy Taylor (@greeneyesgeisha) for the win with her amazingly delicious “Coffee Lover Chocolate Macchiatto Shortbreads” who had already pretty much won in terms of best presentation. We were lucky enough to try one of these and it just melted in your mouth and many guests said was like drinking an espresso. Congrats and we hope she makes more of these delicious bites! Also check out what happened at the first and second Chef Challenge pre-events. If you haven’t already, there’s still time for you to register for the main event on December 1st! About Chef’s Challenge A remarkable kitchen stadium sets the tone for a true culinary mêlée as celebrity chefs lead fundraisers into the epicurean battle of their lives, all for the opportunity to oust Mark McEwan, who led his team to victory in 2011. To attend this exclusive culinary fundraising event, participants must raise a minimum of $2,500 to watch the battle unfold. Guy Fieri will craft a five-course epicurean dinner—but keep your keen culinary skills handy throughout the meal—members of the audience will be called upon to complete tableside challenges for Guy! The top 50 fundraisers earn the privilege to test their culinary talent live on stage alongside their team and celebrity chef, all while under the watchful eye of Guy Fieri. chefschallengeforacure.com facebook.com/ChefsChallengeCanada twitter.com/ChefsChallenge [print_gllr id=4716]
Some very lucky philanthropists got to watch the latest (and many say the best) James Bond movie, Skyfall, three days in advance for a charity screening in support of Dignitas International. Guests in attendance at the Spoke Club reception following the highly-anticipated movie included famous Canadian author, Margaret Atwood, Arlene Dickinson from the CBC’s Dragon’s Den, and MTV news anchor, Aliya Jasmine Sovani. The host of the evening was Zaib Shaikh, best known for his role in CBC’s Little Mosque on the Prairie. Also, be sure to check out our coverage of the James Bond opening party celebrating 50 years of Bond Style with a brand new exhibition at TIFF Bell Lightbox. ABOUT DIGNITAS INTERNATIONAL Dignitas International is a leading medical humanitarian organization developing solutions for global health. Committed to innovation, we work in partnership with patients, health workers, researchers, and policymaker to expand health care in resource-limited communities. Combining frontline expertise and rigorous research, Dignitas saves lives by increasing access to care, strengthening health systems and shaping health policy and practice. For more information visit www.dignitasinternational.org/ [print_gllr id=4664]
On Nov 14th, It’s Your Moment will be a glamorous night out to raise money for Look Good Feel Better, which encourages women with cancer to feel beautiful about the way they look through workshops and seminars. This fun 19+ evening will feature a jewelry fashion show hosted by Stella & Dot, light hors d’oeurves, live music, a dance performance by Amy Adams, beauty vendors, hair stylists and more. There will also be a raffle and auction. It’s only $20 general admission and $10 for students. You can get your tickets at the door or in advance with Hanna Sunderani at 416.319.8387. Advanced ticket purchasers will receive a free raffle ticket for the auction! Here is the Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/431432946914958 It looks like it will be a great turnout! ABOUT LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER Launched in 1992 by a charitable foundation of the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CCTFA), Look Good Feel Better is Canada’s only cancer charity dedicated to empowering women to manage the effects that cancer and its treatment have on their appearance, and often on their morale. Over 130,000 women have been helped through our workshop. For more information visit www.lgfb.ca
Selected guests were invited to attend the 2nd Chef’s Challenge Pre-event with celebrity Chef Mark McEwan at Sub-Zero and Wolf. As the reigning champ of last year’s Chef Challenge, McEwan talked about how he was going to make his team work really hard to defend his title for this year’s Chef’s Challenge on December 1st at Fairmont Royal York Hotel. When asked what his tip for his potential team members in the audience, he joked “don’t cut yourself!” So the battle will be intense but if you’re a serious aspiring chef, you can still register at www.chefschallengeforacure.com. A minimum donation of $2,500 allows you to watch the battle unfold live on Dec 1st. If you make it to the list of the top 50 fundraisers, you will be in the heat of this great culinary battle elbow-to-elbow with one of the celebrity chefs: Lynn Crawford, Chuck Hughes, Mark McEwan, David Rocco, and Michael Smith. This was the 2nd pre-event leading up to the Chef’s Challenge event on December 1st. Read about the 1st pre-event with Chef John Cirillo at Cirillo’s Culinary Academy. About Chef’s Challenge A remarkable kitchen stadium sets the tone for a true culinary mêlée as celebrity chefs lead fundraisers into the epicurean battle of their lives, all for the opportunity to oust Mark McEwan, who led his team to victory in 2011. To attend this exclusive culinary fundraising event, participants must raise a minimum of $2,500 to watch the battle unfold. Guy Fieri will craft a five-course epicurean dinner—but keep your keen culinary skills handy throughout the meal—members of the audience will be called upon to complete tableside challenges for Guy! The top 50 fundraisers earn the privilege to test their culinary talent live on stage alongside their team and celebrity chef, all while under the watchful eye of Guy Fieri. chefschallengeforacure.com facebook.com/ChefsChallengeCanada twitter.com/ChefsChallenge [print_gllr id=4623]
As described in wikipedia, Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century, or a post apocalyptic environment. We really enjoy this pseudo-Victorian mechanical “steampunk” style because it makes for beautiful visuals that stand out from cookie-cutter events. We were intrigued by the idea of a Steampunk-themed gala and also, who puts on better events than a community of professional event planners? This was definitely an event we didn’t want to miss! The ISES (International Special Events Society of Toronto) chapter annual gala gathered members and friends for a jam-packed evening full of entertainment from live performances, some magic, and great music. The evening started with a reception of cocktails and hors d’oeurves, a set of violin renditions of popular music by Grenville Pinto. Guests were then greeted into the dining area by the evening’s host, Michael Coombs, of Michael Coombs Entertainment, with ISES Toronto Annual Leadership Awards, mixed with a vast array of entertainment from aerial performances by A2D2, a great musical performance by Devah Quartet, a magic show by Mental Floss Sideshow, dancing by Dragonfly Belly Dance group, and Well Rounded Hoops. Our favourite performance was Devah Quartet, four young ladies who had great costumes and electrifying string music. They were like a refreshing version of Apocalyptica. Definitely check them out when you get the next chance! Award recipients included: Bryan Bell at Decor & More for the ISES Toronto Supplier of the Year Award Larry Cuthbertson for the ISES Toronto Dedication Award This annual event was planned and prepared by Eclectic Events International, who have been ISES Toronto members for years. We first met them at the recent Atlantis Pavilion open-house which was also a great event with many impressive attractions to enjoy. Thanks very much to Eclectic Events for having us and putting on a great ISES Toronto gala for the special events community! About ISES Toronto ISES Toronto is a Chartered Chapter of ISES Canada, which is an Affiliate of ISES International. The International Special Events Society was founded in 1987 to foster enlightened performance through education while promoting ethical conduct. ISES works to join professionals to focus on the “event as a whole” rather than its individual parts. ISES’s worldwide membership has grown to involve over 5,000 members active in 35 countries throughout the world. Membership brings together professionals from a variety of special events disciplines including caterers, meeting planners, decorators, event planners, audio-visual technicians, party and convention coordinators, educators, journalists, hotel sales managers and many more professional disciplines. [print_gllr id=4515]
Photography by Flora Tran There is a new craze in the culinary world, many call it molecular cuisine. It is experimental cooking that focuses on the physical and chemical transformations of ingredients. Fortunately, Flora and I had the privilege to experience this modern method of cooking with Chef John Placko on October 24 at one of Nella Cucina’s culinary workshop sessions. Molecular cuisine is all about manipulating the senses. Familiar food is presented in an unfamiliar and unexpected way so that our senses do not know what to expect. For example, coconut water is usually enjoyed as refreshing beverage on a hot summer day. Another familiar food, caviar, basically salt-cured fish-eggs, is commonly served on sushi. So how do these two foods relate? (Sources: http://clubspa.spafinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/cocointro21.jpg, and http://pics.livejournal.com/world_blogger/pic/000b86gh) That is when molecular cooking comes into play. Coconut caviar infuses the refreshing coconut water with delicate roe. Here are the ingredients: Caviar mix 2 tbsp icing sugar 3 level spoons easy alginate ½ cup water ½ cup coconut milk Setting Bath 2 heaped spoons calcium chloride 2 cups water Add water and all of the ingredients into a blender on low speed and strain the mixture. Place the mix into a squeeze bottle. Then drip caviar mix into the setting bath mix. Rinse the caviar in cold water and it is ready to serve! Check out my video of this to see it in action! Chef John Placko adds a teaspoon of the coconut pearls into a chilled glass of horchata paired with dried rice cracker and hummus. And a delightful snack is served. The main event is a demonstration of how molecular cuisine works in the kitchen. Starter: Walnut crusted salmon on sushi rice cakes with black rice salad and snowflakes. The surprise factor of this dish is the white puffy snowflakes on the side. It plays an interesting spin on flavour. Snowflakes in my memory are tasteless just like water. However, the aroma and flavour of the snowflakes here reminds me of nutty sesame seeds as it melts away in on my tongue. This is one form of manipulation that takes place in molecular cuisine. Main: Seafood Stir-fry on Texmati Rice This stir-fry tastes as delicious as it looks. Though I do not believe molecular cooking is used in this dish. Dessert: White Chocolate Arancini with Puffed Rice Rocher and Raspberry Butter Sauce See the strawberries on the plate? They are frozen strawberries that fizzle in your mouth, much like drinking soda! The secret is carbonation; a recognizable technique in molecular cooking. Take a cream whipper and add strawberries. Then charge it twice with and leave it in the fridge to cool for two hours. After the cooling the fruits are ready to serve. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4HDfTJjzhU) As the evening went on, I concluded that molecular cooking is all about creating unfamiliar sensation to the palate. The modern cuisine redesigns the texture, flavour, smell, and colour of food in ways that we have never experienced before. The element of surprise in molecular cuisine is key for entertaining an audience. Surly it does not disappoint, this food in science fiction is setting a brand new stage for modern cooking. A special thanks goes to Jessica from FayeClack Communications Inc., Chef John Placko, Chef Brianne Nash, and the wonderful staff at Nella Cucina for such an amazing event! About Chef John Placko Chef John Placko has worked in Canada over the past 17 years in corporate food and restaurant organizations. Prior to Canada, he worked in Australia and Mexico, mainly in hotels and restaurants. John’s culinary competition activity spans multiple countries; Australia, Germany, Canada and France, where he competed in the Bocuse d’Or competition. His passion lies in the culinary evolution most commonly known as molecular cuisine or molecular gastronomy. Over the past 6 years he has been invited to present, demonstrate and teach this modern cuisine to numerous culinary groups at GFTC, Humber College, George Brown College, The Cookbook Store and Nella Cucina. You can register for molecular cuisine workshops at Nella Cucina by clicking here. [print_gllr id=4409]
The Panda Ball is an evening of celebrating the place that connects us all, Earth. This 2nd annual fundraising gala for the World Wildlife Fund brought together key philanthropists and business visionaries who want to make positive changes in the conservation of the universe’s only known living planet. The work that the WWF does is so vital, dealing with issues that impact everyone on a global scale in a changing climate, melting Arctic, health of our oceans, rivers and the preservation of wildlife and endangered species. It was our first time at the new luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville. We had the pleasure of meeting The Bachelor Canada’s one and only Brad C. Smith who had heaps of fun facial expressions to share with us. Thanks for the photo ops! Following the reception, guests were gathered into the thoughtfully decorated Aria banquet room with elegant dining table settings. The gold panda pins at each seat were a nice touch. The charismatic Ziya Tong, co-host of Daily Planet, did a great job as Master of Ceremonies for the evening and she made inspirational speeches about the importance of environmental issues and our planet Earth. Environmental Leader Awards were given out to Greg Kiessling, co-founder of Bullfrog Power, for “Leader for Conservation”, followed by the award for “Partner in Conservation”, accepted by Coca-Cola Canada President, Nicola Kettlitz, and the “Living Planet Legacy” was awarded to Annette Verschuren who highlighted her work as President of Home Depot Canada. Feist rounded out the evening with unique renditions of her hits such as “My Moon My Man”. At the end of the evening everyone enjoyed choosing their own WWF stuffed animal species to take home and adopt. So many great ones to choose from! Check out all these great stuffed animals you can choose from that would make great Christmas gifts. You’ll also be eligible to receive a tax receipt while also supporting WWF’s conservation efforts. We wish the best success to the WWF in it’s fundraising efforts. ABOUT WWF (World Wildlife Fund) WWF (World Wildlife Fund) is Canada’s largest international conservation organization with the active support of more than 150,000 Canadians. We connect the power of a strong global network to on-the-ground conservation efforts across Canada, with offices in Vancouver, Prince Rupert,Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, St. John’s, and a growing presence in the Arctic. For more information visit wwf.ca
Making it’s North American debut right here in Toronto, TIFF Bell Lightbox’s exciting exhibition just opened to the public! What’s not to love about the world’s most famous secret agent exuding British flair, martinis, fast cars, gadgets, action and the Bond girls. To celebrate 50 years of Bond style, TIFF rolled out the red carpet for an evening of adventure and intrigue at the James Bond opening night party. Passports were given out to each guest with the mission of reaching each checkpoint. Live performances included the one and only Sheena Easton singing “For Your Eyes Only” followed by a great live band, “The Big Sound”, that captivated the crowd on the ground floor and rang through the rest of the floors with classic James Bond theme songs. There was also a casino room, martinis (of course), and the various James Bond exhibits available for viewing. Our favourite feature was the Kobo Ice lounge giving out snow cones with your personal choice of liquor. We tried a similar gin-flavoured ice in a cup at the recent Eat to the Beat, but now this is in snow-cone form! There was so much to enjoy with so little time. For the latter part of the night, the party happened to be at the TIFF Bell Lightbox’s loading dock where there was a bar, DJ and a Parts and Labour catering truck allowing you to hop on board and enjoy oysters. Different but great! This new must-see exhibition now at TIFF Bell Lightbox, “Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style” at TIFF Bell Lightbox features a treasure trove of James Bond memorabilia from Dr. No to the latest upcoming film, Skyfall. For more information visit tiff.net/bond and also CBC’s detailed article about the exhibition here. Here are some of our favourite tweets from the night At #007TIFFGala, the opening for #Designing007, the international exhibition of style. Here's our passport. pic.twitter.com/4CTKjy5w — Designing007 (@TIFF_BondStyle) October 26, 2012 Q's bag of tricks! More Bond gadgets coming up @BTtoronto #Designing007 at #TIFF pic.twitter.com/uYVW0DkM — Melanie Ng (@CityMelanie) October 26, 2012 Diamonds are forever! Necklace worth $300,000 and worn by Teri Hatcher. More fashions on @BTtoronto #Designing007 pic.twitter.com/hDZRcCM3 — Melanie Ng (@CityMelanie) October 26, 2012 Lets play some craps #007TIFFGala #designing007 pic.twitter.com/AE66nhPP — Jon GHOUL-thier (@JonGauthier) October 26, 2012 [print_gllr id=4207]
For the 17th year, Eat to the Beat held their annual women-helping-women culinary fundraiser, where guests get to indulge in a vast variety of delectable Ontario culinary delights from 60 female chefs. The event is a great cause where the Willow Breast Cancer Support, a national non-profit organization that not only supports women in surviving breast cancer but also to thrive. The evening features sweet and savoury food and drinks, live music, a silent auction, raffle draw for great prizes. It’s a delicious event not to miss. We indulged in some Devils on Horseback – roasted, port stewed prunes wrapped in bacon by Alexandra Feswick, Samuel J. Moore. We loved how the prunes sweetness counterbalanced the bacon. Scarlet Gaffney, Westin Harbour Castle menu included caramelized pear and woolwich goat cheese crostini, pecan onion butter, which was a tasty blend of goat cheese and pear that looks and tastes elegant. Tobey Nemeth from Edulis restaurant provided a colorful selection of morsels of: Fresh Sheep’s Milk Cheese with Piquillo Pappers and White Anchovies, Smoked Silver Bass with Herbed and Pickled Red Onion. We also loved the Pulled BBQ veal slider – mushroom confit, tomato herb aioli by Joan Monfaredi, Park Hyatt Hotel, where the pulled BBQ veal was soft and juicy. Along with wines, spirits, and premium beer, we found Tipicular Fixin’s Sno Ball refreshing and hits the spot! You can stay in the loop about Eat to the Beat in 2013 by subscribing to updates at eattothebeat.ca. You can help ensure that no one has to face breast cancer alone! ABOUT WILLOW BREAST CANCER SUPPORT CANADA Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada is a national not-for-profit organization that provides free support and information today for those who cannot wait for tomorrow’s cure. For more information visit www.willow.org [print_gllr id=4131]
Rated as a must-attend event, the highly-anticipated, Canadian Opera Company’s 9th annual sold-out fundraiser, Operanation, lived up to the hype and then some. This year’s theme was “Sweet Revenge”, based on the operetta, Die Flaudermaus, by Johann Strauss. The evening featured star-studded personalities including musicians, Nelly Furtado and The Arkells, each with their own unique collaborations with the COC’s Ensemble Studio. The extravagant night started with dinner for VIP guests only, then at 9pm the rest of the guests pulled out their coveted tickets for this high-profile evening at the one-and-only multi-level Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Rose Reisman Catering served pulled pork, black truffled mac and cheese. There was also a mini grilled cheese bar and an impressive mini apple bar. The mini apple bar was our favourite, sweet delicacy of the night with a real tree branch protruding into a miniature apple dipped in white chocolate with sprinkles. What a refreshing take on the candy apple! Prior to the night, it was pretty amazing to have our first celebrity, Nelly Furtado, with almost 3 million followers follow @bestoftorontoTV on Twitter! What an honour! Nelly Furtado did a short set including a spanish song with the COC’s ensemble studio baritone member, Cameron McPhail, and then ending it with Maneater. Later into the night, a talented soprano, Ambur Braid, did an interesting opera-rock fusion set with the Arkells band showcasing her impressive high-pitched range one-minute and then rocking out in her glittering dress the next minute. Since everyone knew that the Arkells would be one of the headliners, we were wondering to ourselves if Jian Ghomeshi would be performing at Operanation just like at his own recent 1982 book launch party at the Opera House. Nevertheless, it was still very refreshing and surprising to see him jump onto stage and rock the house once again with the Arkells and the COC’s Ensemble Studio. Great vibes all around! It was great to see our new Ryerson fashion designer friend, Jill Dickieson (see our interview here) at the unveiling of her dress inspired by Adele from Die Flaudermaus. I also met up with another Ryerson designer, Sarah Elizabeth Graham, with whom we had a hilarious time along with her mom. We had too much fun! Here are some notable tweets including our own, which the Canadian Opera Company retweeted as well. Thanks for that! @jianghomeshi is a surprise performer with @arkellsmusic @operanation #sweetrevenge http://t.co/CfGFQXQc — Best of Toronto (@BestOfTorontoTV) October 19, 2012 @Operanation was so fun tonight! What a blast! Thanks:) @Cameron_McPhail @CanadianOpera @alexanderncoc pic.twitter.com/oC0tfpwd — Nelly Furtado (@NellyFurtado) October 19, 2012 Post-performance at @Operanation with @Cameron_McPhail pic.twitter.com/1Rb5n2Qs — Nelly Furtado (@NellyFurtado) October 19, 2012 Watch Citytv’s interview with Nelly Furtado before Operanation ABOUT OPERANATION Established in 2005, Operanation is the Canadian Opera Company’s premier fundraising event. For arts patrons as well as the opera-curious, Operanation presents a unique experience, equal parts party and performance, with special collaborations between classic and modern music and complementary art forms ranging from visual arts to fashion. Attracting over 1,000 guests, Operanation takes over three floors of the COC’s opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Funds raised for Operanation are directed towards the COC’s Ensemble Studio, Canada’s premier training program for young opera professionals. For more information on Operanation, please visit www.operanation.ca ABOUT THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The COC enjoys a loyal audience support-base and one of the highest attendance and subscription rates in North America. Under its leadership team of General Director Alexander Neef and Music Director Johannes Debus, the COC is increasingly capturing the opera world’s attention. The COC maintains its international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation by creating new productions within its diverse repertoire, collaborating with leading opera companies and festivals, and attracting the world’s foremost Canadian and international artists. The COC performs in its own opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, hailed internationally as one of the finest in the world. Designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects, the Four Seasons Centre opened in 2006, and is also the performance venue for The National Ballet of Canada. For more information on the Canadian Opera Company, please visit its award-winning website, coc.ca. [print_gllr id=4010]
For art lovers who want to make a difference, Art with Heart is an art show fundraiser for Casey House with a 19-year history, in support of those living with HIV/AIDS right here in Toronto. The evening at The Carlu consisted of a great collection of Canadian contemporary works of art, gourmet food, complimentary bar and giant live auction. The great catering of the fine food was by Daniel & Daniel. These guys are everywhere. The seafood dish featuring scallops and mussels were delicious. ABOUT CASEY HOUSE Founded in 1988, Casey House was the first free-standing HIV/AIDS facility in Canada. A specialty hospital with community programming, Casey House provides exceptional care, support and clinical expertise in the following settings: In the Inpatient Program located at 9 Huntley Street In the familiar comfort of people’s homes through our Home Care Program Serving some of our city’s most marginalized people via our Outreach Program and community partnerships To find out more about Casey House, please visit us at www.caseyhouse.com Please consider making a donation today. Your generosity will bring positive change to the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto. Please click here to make your secure online donation. For more information about Casey House click here. Here is a video from Art with Heart 2011 Also check out the Casey Awards 2012 earlier this year cleebrating the life and memories of June Callwood, one of the founders of Casey House. [print_gllr id=3965]
The Oceana Ball is a celebration of children’s health and Canadian art, fashion and philanthropy in support of the Herbie Fund at the Hospital for Sick Children. The name Oceana, is inspired by water and for the entity that connects us all, bettering humanity by uniting it together. With philanthropists and celebrities in attendance, it was quite a full agenda at the Oceana Ball starting with a reception with hors d’oeurves, silent auction for a long row of photography for sale and glamorous photo shoots at the Liberty Grand Complex. Then we were all directed to the dining hall where speeches and videos showing the story of how the Herbie Fund started, and how Paul and Gina Godfrey rallied the philanthropists of Toronto to donate generously to cover the hospital costs of Herbie Quinones of Brooklyn, New York. In February 1979, Herbie came to Toronto to have his lifesaving operation and then returned back home to New York a healthier, happier kid. Today, Herbie is a healthy adult. The evening also featured a live auction, aerial silk performance, ballet, and an uplifting music performance by Jully Black who was wearing VAWK, the featured fashion design of the Oceana Ball with Sunny Fong in attendance as well. It was great to see Kardinal Offishall casually hanging out late into the night. He’s so approachable! And Lyriq Bent is a pretty friendly guy, too. In a decadent gala like this touching on a children’s charity with an abundance of art, fashion, celebrities and entertainment we look forward to seeing what Oceana has to offer in the future. Also, look for VAWK on the cover of Oceana Magazine 2012. ABOUT THE HERBIE FUND FOR THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN The Herbie Fund’s mission is to bring children from around the world to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) for life-saving or life-altering surgeries – surgeries that are not available to them in their home countries because of high costs and lack of medical expertise. The Herbie Fund believes that we must do everything in our power to ensure their health and well being. THE STORY OF HERBIE FUND In 1978, Herbie Quinones of Brooklyn, New York, was born with a rare birth defect that made it hard for him to breathe. Every time he swallowed became a life-threatening situation. He needed an operation that was developed by Dr. Robert Filler at SickKids, but his family could not afford the cost of the trip or the surgery. After reading about Herbie in local newspapers, Paul and Gina Godfrey led an effort in which the people of Toronto generously donated money to cover Herbie’s hospital costs. Dr. Filler offered to perform the surgery without a fee. In February 1979, Herbie came to Toronto for this lifesaving operation, returning to Brooklyn a much happier and healthier little boy. After all of Herbie’s medical expenses had been paid, the account that had been opened to cover the costs of his care had $17,000 remaining. The Godfreys established The Herbie Fund with this account, to be used to help other children like Herbie Quinones. To support The Herbie Fund, click here. This video about the Herbie Fund, or some variation of it, was shown at Oceana Ball 2012. ABOUT OCEANA MAGAZINE Unique in being the first national, charity-based periodical, the Oceana magazine celebrates the marriage of high-end Canadian fashion, art, photography, and leadership. Each year, the magazine artistically exhibits thirteen (13) original pieces of art created by twenty-six (26) of Canada’s leading fashion designers and photographers against the stunning backdrop of our national geography while also profiling several influential and iconic Canadians. For more information about the Oceana Ball, click here. [print_gllr id=3858]
We are looking forward to the 9th annual Operanation on Oct 18th! Even before we heard that Nelly Furtado and the Arkells would be headlining this highly-anticipated fundraising gala for the Canadian Opera Company, we were already excited. And now with these great musicians, we have icing on the cake! If it’s anything like the Diamond Gala for the National Ballet that we attended a few months ago (and among various free noon-hour concerts), we are very excited to return to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, taking over 3 floors of the spacious, contemporary venue which exudes elegance and sophistication; purposefully built for grand opera and ballet performances. The event will also feature fine culinary and beverage offerings consistent with this year’s theme of “Sweet Revenge”. Nadège Patisserie have been crafting a limited edition “Sweet Revenge” macaron and beverages will be created by Toronto’s ambassador of molecular mixology at Barchef, Frankie Solarik, partnering with Société Perrier. Catering special provisions including espresso will be provided by Rose Reisman Catering. We look forward to seeing the collaborations between classic and modern music in this event that is “equal parts party and performance”. Get your tickets for Operanation at www.operanation.ca. Early bird and VIP tickets are already sold out, so act quickly. We hope to see you there! To get warmed up, we had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Jill Dickieson. MEET JILL DICKIESON, AN UP-AND-COMING FASHION DESIGNER The Canadian Opera Company commissioned some of Ryerson’s top emerging fashion students to develop design sketches from the costumes from Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus (the operetta which inspired this year’s theme Sweet Revenge). Watch out for Jill Dickieson, an up-and coming fashion designer in her fourth year of Fashion Design at Ryerson University. She is one of 3 Ryerson students and alumni (the other 2 are David Chou and Sarah Elizabeth Graham) to have their hand-tailored garments unveiled in the fashion installation at the Operanation gala. Who are some of your fashion designer influences? My foremost influences came from my mother and grandmother who exposed me to sewing and from there my love for fashion design took off. My cousin was also a jewelry designer and I designed some pieces for her while in Guelph, Ontario. Successful luxury designers like Marchesa and Givenchy play a role in influencing my own designs. What inspiration did you take from Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus? I was very inspired by the main characters, particularly Adele, who plays Rosalinde’s maid and reflecting her life into my design. I am really attracted to texture and mixing fabrics. The production takes place in a ball so I wanted to incorporate that theme and add volume to the design. Tell us about the dress you designed for the COC. I wanted to incorporate the idea of a ball gown so I added volume. You can see elements of texture from the intricate hand beading and lace flowing through the dress. There is also sheer netting, which adds a modern touch to the operetta that is set in the late 19th century. What is your favourite part about being a fashion designer? Visualizing the idea in my head, no matter how crazy or minimal and watching it come to life. I love being able to produce something from inception to completion; it is truly satisfying to see the end product come true. Do you have any career advice for a young person wanting to start in fashion design? I started interning at my cousin’s jewelry company to obtain experience. Getting as much as experience as you can is very important and especially from internships where you can learn so much on the job. You also get to learn both the business and design side of things that you can’t necessarily learn in school. ABOUT OPERANATION Established in 2005, Operanation is the Canadian Opera Company’s premier fundraising event. For arts patrons as well as the opera-curious, Operanation presents a unique experience, equal parts party and performance, with special collaborations between classic and modern music and complementary art forms ranging from visual arts to fashion. Attracting over 1,000 guests, Operanation takes over three floors of the COC’s opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Funds raised for Operanation are directed towards the COC’s Ensemble Studio, Canada’s premier training program for young opera professionals. For more information on Operanation, please visit www.operanation.ca ABOUT THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The COC enjoys a loyal audience support-base and one of the highest attendance and subscription rates in North America. Under its leadership team of General Director Alexander Neef and Music Director Johannes Debus, the COC is increasingly capturing the opera world’s attention. The COC maintains its international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation by creating new productions within its diverse repertoire, collaborating with leading opera companies and festivals, and attracting the world’s foremost Canadian and international artists. The COC performs in its own opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, hailed internationally as one of the finest in the world. Designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects, the Four Seasons Centre opened in 2006, and is also the performance venue for The National Ballet of Canada. For more information on the Canadian Opera Company, please visit its award-winning website, coc.ca.
The Venetian Ball is an annual gala filled with Italian passion, flair and elegance in the spirit of Venice’s Carnevale. The dazzling Venetian masks, evening gowns, decadent bites, fine beverages, and a plenitude of live musical performances all make this event a worthy attraction to draw in 1,500 guests to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Highlights from the reception included jumbo tiger shrimp on a large ice bar from Ristorante Sotto Sotto and well-seasoned rack of lamb. The bars included high-end liquor including Tanquery Gin, Grey Goose, Crown Royale and Johnny Walker Black Label, and maple ice wine after dinner. Rick Campanelli was supposed to host the evening but had to cancel due to a special assignment in New York City (to interview Daniel Craig for the new and upcoming James Bond movie, Skyfall, opening November 9th). It’s always nice when a video is shared with a personal explanation, as was done in this case. So instead the host was Kevin Frankish of Breakfast Television who did a fine job. There were live performances by Simply Grand performing a variety of musical acts from jazz to top 40. There was also a live auction with auctioneer, Martin Ross. Then an entertaining segment by Andre-Philippe Gagnon, famous comedian and master impressionist with appearances on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and who was also a regular act at The Venetian in Las Vegas. The headlining “Mystery Performance” was revealed to be “Golden Boy” teen idols from the 1950’s: Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Lou Christie. Check out our quick video clip of Andre-Philippe Gagnon impersonating James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful”. ABOUT VILLA CHARITIES For over 40 years, Villa Charities has been providing culturally sensitive care and improving the quality of life for seniors, assisting individuals with intellectual disabilities or mental health issues pursue their life dreams and goals and sharing the cultural programming that continues to inspire our community. The Villa Charities family of organizations includes: Villa Colombo Services for Seniors, Columbus Centre, VITA Community Living Services/Mens Sana Families for Mental Health, Casa Del Zotto, Caboto Terrace, Casa Abruzzo, and Villa Colombo Vaughan Di Poce Centre. For more information visit www.villacharities.com [print_gllr id=3654]
Classic Creations held their annual watch fair, kicking off the love of fine timepieces with a gifting presentation for MTV News personality and host of the talk show “1 Girl 5 Gays”, Aliya-Jasmine Sovani (aka AJ Sovani), and Erica Godfrey. The two ladies were honoured for their philanthropic work in various charities in the community and were presented with EBEL Onde watches. Classic Creations Jewellers is located at the Newtonbrook Plaza at 5799 Yonge St For more information visit www.classiccreations.com 416-222-0405 [print_gllr id=3605]
On Oct 21, 2012 join over 130 chefs in possibly the largest one-day culinary soup-based protest in the world. This delicious event will raise awareness to stop the proposed Highland Companies’ Mega-Quarry north of Toronto. This follows last year’s sequel to 2011’s Foodstock, where dozens of chefs, farmers and musicians and 28,000 supporters gathered for this cause. Soupstock will be hosted by the Canadian Chef’s Congress and the David Suzuki Foundation. “While Foodstock was amazing, it only whet our appetite for something even bigger”, says Chef Michael Stadtlander from the Canadian Chefs’ Congress. “Soupstock is going to be the culinary celebration of the year; delicious, huge and truly inspiring.” All these chefs including Lynn Crawford, Jamie Kennedy, Brad Long and Donna Dooher will volunteer to concoct original gourmet soup creations for Soupstock that specifically celebrate the Melanchton region’s rich agriculture using the donations of local Ontario producers. “It’s exciting to see our local farmers match the incredible generosity of the chefs by donating fresh ingredients for Soupstock,” says Dr Faisal Moola fom the David Suzuki Foundation. “From beets and bones to potatoes and dairy, these producers are kindly sharing their bounty and making the event a true celebration of local food.” For only $10 you get 3 servings from the vast choice of chefs serving gourmet soup and you get to be part of an important cause! Oh and don’t forget to bring your own bowl, spoon and napkin. To buy tickets and get for more information about the cause visit www.soupstock.ca and follow the movement on Facebook. You should definitely watch David Suzuki’s personal invitation for you to join Soupstock! About the Canadian Chefs’ Congress The Canadian Chefs’ Congress connects chefs to our land in solidarity with farmers, fishers, gardeners, foragers and all artisanal food producers.This biennial gathering of chefs from across Canada reinforces the passion and integrity of Canadian food culture. www.canadianchefscongress.com About The David Suzuki Foundation The David Suzuki Foundation works with government, business and individuals to conserve our environment by providing science-based research, education and policy work, and acting as a catalyst for the change that today’s situation demands. www.davidsuzuki.org
To mark the Dilwari Foundation’s 10th anniversary in philanthropy, the first annual Bliss Ball charity gala was held to benefit the SickKids Patient Amenities Fund. Bliss Ball brought a star-studded list of personalities and philanthropic families to the historic Fort York site for an elegant evening inside the “Innovation Dome”, a large, spacious tent with ceiling projections of bright, blue skies and clouds. Headlining the evening were celebrities such as Martin Sheen, Selita Ebanks, Jennifer Hudson, the Bush sisters, Barbara Pierce Bush, Jenna Bush Hager, Rosie MacLennan and 12-year-old YouTube sensation, Maria Aragon. The fine dining was delivered by Chef Mark McEwan with a menu featuring a trio of ahi tuna tartare, heirloom beet salad and truffle-dusted cauliflower puree. The main course included beef filet and pan seared halibut which was finished off with a apple crostata with cinnamon ice cream and a savoury toffee-glaze. There was also a live auction with donations ranging from $50-$100,000 to the cause. The evening also featured the familiar sounds of Bellosound to end the night with dancing. ABOUT THE DIWALRI FOUNDATION For more than two decades, the Dilawri Family has shown a deep commitment in supporting communities across Canada. With donations in the millions, the generosity of the family has touched thousands of lives, and continues to leave a lasting impression. In 2002, the Dilawri Family established the Dilawri Foundation to oversee the family’s philanthropic activities. Through targeted philanthropy, the Dilawri Foundation continues to make a positive difference. Through meaningful and targeted philanthropy, the Dilawri Group is committed to giving back to the communities through the Dilawri Foundation. As a Group and as individual Dealerships, we organize and hold numerous charity events and fundraisers throughout the year. Dilawri Foundation expands the scope of giving, both inspiring and channeling charitable donations by our customers, colleagues, organizations, and brands associated with the Dilawri Group. Learn more about the Dilawri Foundation’s philanthropy and how we have made significant differences in communities across Canada and around the world. http://foundation.dilawri.ca/ ABOUT SICK KIDS PATIENT AMENITIES FUND When a child is in hospital, public health insurance funding covers the cost of care, but many incidental expenses are not covered. These can be minor, such as the cost of parking, or significant, such as the cost of essential drugs. When the child goes home or receives community-based services, there can be further expenses that are either not covered or only partially covered through community resources. These costs add up and for some families they can pose a serious financial challenge, and result in further compromise of a child’s health. The Patient Amenities Fund at SickKids is a resource that exists to ensure that this does not happen. The Patient Amenities Fund is a source of financial assistance for families who have limited financial resources and whose child is being cared for by SickKids. Relying entirely on philanthropic support, the Fund reimburses families for such expenses for both inpatient and outpatient children. In addition, the Fund helps families with follow-up services where they are needed by a child in order to make a full recovery. Each year, the Patient Amenities Fund spends approximately $300,000 supporting 250 families. Watch the video of Sick Kids “Together We Will” www.sickkidsfoundation.com [print_gllr id=3551]
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month! So what better way to support this important month than to join a women-helping-women culinary fundraiser, Eat to the Beat, and be treated with tons of delectable Ontario culinary delights from 60 female chefs, each with their own food stations alongside a selection of fine wines and beer. This event benefits the Wilow Breast Cancer Support non-profit organization that not only supports women in surviving breast cancer but also to thrive. This event is rated as one of BizBash’s Top 15 events in Toronto for Food, Wine and Hospitality events! Some of the chefs include: Trish Sheen, Crush Wine Bar Elizabeth Rivasplata, Art Gallery of Ontario Donna Dooher, Mildred’s Temple Kitchen Dufflet Rosenberg, Dufflet Pastries Joanne Lusted, Clean Eating Magazine, @ChefJoLusted We look forward to checking out the above-mentioned food stations but we expect to be pleasantly surprised when we get there by all the rest! It will be quite a challenge to try to reach all 60 food stations in one evening. Besides the wide variety of great food and drinks, another aspect that makes this event interesting is that breast cancer survivors will be modelling food-inspired corsets for the event. Check out these pictures from last year’s Eat to the Beat! The evening also includes live music, a silent auction and a raffle draw for great prizes including: a GE Monogram appliance Gift Card (retail value $5,000), a hand-crafted 18 karat yellow gold 22″ cable chain (retail value of $1,716), 11 piece cookware set (retail value $1,000), a 93″x106″ quilt by the Rouge Valley Quilter’s Guild (retail value $675) Tickets are $150 (with a tax receipt) which includes all food and drinks. Limited space available. Ticket sales end at noon on Oct 16, 2012 . For more details about this must-attend culinary event while supporting a great cause during Breast Cancer Month, visit eattothebeat.ca or call 416.778.6314 x 236 ABOUT WILLOW Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada is a national not-for-profit organization that provides free support and information today for those who cannot wait for tomorrow’s cure. For more information visit www.willow.org Check out this video to learn more about Eat to the Beat Images courtesy of Willow.org and Ashworth and Associates
The 3rd Annual Stems of Hope gala boldly proclaimed to have an un-precedented event filled with amazement, entertainment and education. Walking right in the decor of the retro superhero theme was a delight for guests both young and young-at-heart. It was quite confusing to have the different themes of a gala (at the Kool Haus of all places), with superheroes mixed with old school rap but that’s what made this gala really fun. Somehow it all just worked and it’s for the benefit of children with neurological disorders (check out threetobe.org for more info). With a very large variety food, a “supermarket” of cuisine (Toben, Southwest Burger, Spudniks, New York Fries, The Cupcake Shoppe, Waffle Bar, Cold Stone Creamery), great entertainment from a star-studded lineup (Young MC, Rob Base, Rapper’s Delight and Naughty by Nature) and notable personalities (Anne Mroczkowski, Leslie Roberts of Global TV), you definitely must take note of this annual fundraiser with a lot of emphasis on fun. There was also a raffle, video art installation, a live and silent auction, and a Three To Be Hero awards ceremony. Make a note to be here next year and get ready for an action-packed night! Check out this great video recap of the whole evening! Courtesy of Three to Be Foundation (Gold Line Studios) ABOUT THREE TO BE THREE TO BE’s mission is to advocate and raise funds to support and advance the development of innovative research, education and therapies for children with neurological disorders. THREE TO BE Is a registered charitable foundation providing funds to support a multidisciplinary approach for children with neurological conditions. THREE TO BE’s funds are being used to: Support the neurological research community by funding salaries, grants, and prizes to develop cutting-edge therapies and treatments for children Purchase innovative therapeutic equipment for rehabilitative purposes Support educational programs, conferences, and facilities that focus on the development of children with disabilities Develop a parent resource and information platform to support families of children with neurological disorders For more information, please visit www.threetobe.org [print_gllr id=3442]
The Atlantis Pavilions at Ontario Place pulled out a lot of stops for their open house on September 27th, 2012. After 3 months of renovations, this Toronto waterfront venue showed off it’s new shine with the help of Eclectic Events and BizBash, featuring 4 banquet halls with floor to ceiling windows, each with a theme of the 4 elements: fire, water, earth, air. At first it was quite overwhelming trying to figure out where to start but most of the main events were in the fire (red) room where we found the host of the evening, Mike Bullard from Newstalk 1010. Upon arrival each guest is given a key which may unlock one of the boxes in each room. If the key unlocks the box then the prize is won. The 4 prizes were: a $10,000 event by Eclectic Events, a trip for 2 to Las Vegas, and 2 prizes of a Samsung Galaxy tablet. ABOUT ATLANTIS PAVILIONS After three months of magnificent, extensive renovations Atlantis is the new gem of Toronto’s waterfront. This unique landmark location features four spectacular ballrooms with floor to ceiling windows. Panoramic views of the Toronto skyline and waterfront, exceptional food and service are features that make an event at Atlantis unlike any other. www.atlantispavilions.com [print_gllr id=3402]
Do you have a passion for food? Ever wonder what it would be like to be a star in the kitchen? Take on the Chef’s Challenge and allow me to invite you to Chef John Cirillo’s Culinary Academy for a cooking lesson for aspiring cooks at any level and experience! Chef Cirillo lead a group of cooking enthusiasts at his own Culinary Academy on September 20th for the first in a series of this year’s Chef’s Challenge pre-events around the city. Stay tuned to Chefs Challenge on Twitter and Facebook for more of these pre-events as we approach the main event on December 1, 2012 with celebrity chefs from the Food Network battling for epicurean supremacy. Chef’s Challenge is a fundraising event to support women’s ovarian and breast cancer research at Mount Sinai Hospital. Find out how you can be a part of this ultimate culinary event by registering on the website www.chefschallengeforacure.com This Chef’s Challenge pre-event evening started with wine and delicious appetizers provided by Cirillo’s Culinary Academy. Let’s get the cooking started, shall we? The group of forty people were divided into three smaller sections with each preparing the starter, main course, or dessert at six different stations. There was no recipe given however the chef’s instructions were clear and easy to follow as he demonstrated step by step throughout the class. After the cooking was all done, each group sat down on the large communal dining tables, the conversation started flowing. In the kitchen area, it was my group’s turn to start plating the next course. The vegetable slaw was tossed with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, chilli powder and soy sauce. It made a great combination with the smoked salmon. The more I ate the hungrier I became. Panko crusted lamb, sitting on top of mashed sweet potatoes and heirloom carrots, topped off with chef’s specialty sauce. The lamb was juicy and flavourful while the vegetables added a bit of sweetness to the dish. It was the best looking dish of the night! I usually do not get excited for desserts. However this dish was the highlight for me. The sliced pears were wrapped in maple syrup and egg yolk batter, topped off with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. I enjoyed the pear inside which was not too sweet. There were a thin coat of melted sugar thus the tartlet tasted crusty and sweet on the outside. Of course wine was circulating the room to make the experience even more enjoyable. Overall the experience at Cirillo’s Culinary Academy was like no other as I felt like participating in a show on the Food Network. The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. I had a great time preparing and eating the food, learned some knife tips, and made new friends along the way. If this was the pre-event, then I cannot wait to check out the Chef’s Challenge on December 1st! For the recipes used at this event, please click here to get the Chefs Challenge Recipe Package from Cirillo’s Culinary Academy. For a closer look at the cooks in action, take a look at the photo gallery below. About Chef’s Challenge A remarkable kitchen stadium sets the tone for a true culinary mêlée as celebrity chefs lead fundraisers into the epicurean battle of their lives, all for the opportunity to oust Mark McEwan, who led his team to victory in 2011. To attend this exclusive culinary fundraising event, participants must raise a minimum of $2,500 to watch the battle unfold. Guy Fieri will craft a five-course epicurean dinner—but keep your keen culinary skills handy throughout the meal—members of the audience will be called upon to complete tableside challenges for Guy! The top 50 fundraisers earn the privilege to test their culinary talent live on stage alongside their team and celebrity chef, all while under the watchful eye of Guy Fieri. chefschallengeforacure.com facebook.com/ChefsChallengeCanada twitter.com/ChefsChallenge About the Cause Funds raised at this event provide sustaining funding to breast and ovarian cancer research and education at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute and Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital. With your support, scientists at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute can investigate new approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat disease, while clinicians at the Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre provide priceless classes to the community on mammography and self-screening, as well as classes on health, diet and exercise for recovering breast cancer patients. About Cirillo’s Culinary Academy Located at 4894 Dundas St West, Cirillo’s Culinary Academy is in Toronto West’s Islington Village featuring 4,200 square feet of state-of-the-art space perfect for culinary education and entertainment. For more information visit http://www.cirillosacademy.com/ [print_gllr id=3268]
The first annual food truck awards event, AwesTRUCK 2012, brought 1,800 foodies to Evergreen Brick Works for a sold-out event to dine on delicious street food from pop-up shops and food trucks. We were looking forward to this format since we had been to a few of the similar Toronto Underground Market monthly events, but this was more interesting because there were different phases of the evening including a VIP phase from 2-4pm followed by a general admission phase. This VIP phase is especially appealing because it allowed access to all food vendors with complimentary food for 2 hours including 3 drink tickets. It’s a fantastic event format for food enthusiasts who want to sample everything and avoid long lines. It’s like being a kid in a candy store for foodies! The Awestruck 2012 event opened with James Cunningham, host of Food Network Canada’s Eat St making the introductions. Then hosts Pay Chen and Michelle Jobin then handed out the first of the annual AwesTRUCK awards: People’s Choice – Gorilla Cheese (winner); El Gastronomo Vagabundo, Cupcake Diner, Blue Donkey Streatery, Buster’s Sea Cove, Dobro Jesti, Rome’n Chariot, Southern Smoke Best New Truck – Dobro Jesti (winner); Buster’s Sea Cove, Rome’n Chariot Road Warrior – El Gastronomo Vagabundo (winner) Best Menu Item – El Gastronomo Vagabundo (winner, Fish Tacos); Gorilla Cheese (Sarducci); Cupcake Diner (Caramel Apple Pie); Rome’n Chariot (Meatball Sliders); Dobro Jesti (Deep Fried Rice Balls); Southern Smoke (Smoked Brisket with Smoked Mac & Daddy Cheese) Best Concept – El Gastronomo Vagabundo (winner); Gorilla Cheese, Buster’s Sea Cove Best Pop-Up – Fidel Gastro (winner); Babi & Co.; Big E’s Grinds Best Graphics – Blue Donkey Streatery (winner); Buster’s Sea Cove, Rome’n Chariot We love Tequila Tromba’s enthusiasm, flair and especially their margaritas from a few previous events we’ve been to (Food Dudes Food truck launch party, Boys Night Out and various Toronto Underground Market events) so it was no surprise to see them here in this familiar street food setting, But on this special occasion they treated guests with “Tromba AWESTRUCK Punch” which includes Tequila Tromba Blanco, Ceres Whispers of summer juice, Hibiscus-Rooibos syrup, fresh lime juice all topped with angostura bitters. The fog floating above the punch made it more intriguing thanks to the addition of dry ice. Judging for each category were selected on public vote on the AwesTRUCK 2012 website and the winners were determined by a panel of judges Alison Fryer, manager of The Cookbook Store Matthew Blackett, publisher of Spacing magazine Amy Rosen, food and travel writer The People’s Choice Award was awarded to the truck receiving the most public votes. We look forward to celebrating the food truck scene at next year’s AwesTRUCK 2013! …. with hopefully better by-laws for more delicious food trucks by then. For more information visit www.foodtruckeats.ca/awestruck2012 [print_gllr id=3187]
Each year the Brazilian Carnival Ball attracts over 1,800 guests and raises more than $2 million making it one of the largest fundraising galas in Canada and reaching international reputation (in September 2002, the Ball was held at the Château de Versailles in France). More than $55 million net has been donated to important causes in healthcare, research , education and culture in Canada since Anna Maria de Souza started it in a small Toronto church basement in 1966. The beneficiaries this year included the de Souza Institute Foundation (for highly-trained oncology nurses named in memory of Anna Maria) and the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) for psychosocial care for people with cancer and their families. On Sept 15, 2012, the 46th annual (and sadly the final) Brazilian Carnival Ball was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The evening started with a VIP reception where we spotted Canadian fashion icon, Jeanne Beker, among others, followed by the main cocktail reception. Then we were all gathered into the banquet hall into our assigned tables where it was time to be greeted. The most touching moment came when Ivan X. de Souza, the widower of the honoured founder of the Brazilian Carnival Ball, Anna Maria, gave his speech and mentioned his beloved wife, who fought a nine month battle with cancer without complaint. It’s only fitting that on the 5th anniversary of her passing, this year’s Brazilian Carnival Ball proceeds go towards cancer and bereavement charities. Then there were heart-wrenching but important video diving into personal stories of those affected by cancer. On that purposefully somber note we headed into a 3 course gourmet dinner. Dinner was followed by song and dance. Then finally the main event! The fabulous and glamorous Brazilian Carnival Parade full of sequins, feathers! The costumes are flown in from the one and only world-renowned Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. After the fantastic and fun parade it was time for naturally the best time for samba dancing and celebration of Anna Maria’s theme of “live, love and laugh”. For more information visit www.brazilianball.com About Anna Maria de Souza To read about Anna Maria de Souza’s biography, please visit www.brazilianball.com/about/anna_maria_de_souza ABOUT THE DE SOUZA INSTITUTE The mission of the de Souza Institute is to provide Ontarians with the best cancer care in the world by focusing on developing highly trained, specialized cancer nurses utilizing the latest evidence and approaches to cancer care. The Institute’s rapid success in Ontario has created significant interest elsewhere in Canada with collaborations not only being discussed nationally, but internationally in such countries as Kuwait, Brazil, and the United States. The de Souza Institute, named in memory of Anna Maria, was founded in partnership with Princess Margaret Hospital and Cancer Care Ontario. In just over three years the Institute’s courses have: resulted in a 40% increase in oncology nurses in Ontario who achieved specialty certification in oncology – many of them are on route to becoming a “de Souza Nurse” –an official recognition of advanced oncology nursing knowledge and skills and over 4000 nurses have participated in the de Souza Institute’s educational programs. As front line practitioners, in regional cancer centres they help ensure that all individuals and families impacted by cancer receive the best support and follow up care.The funds raised will be directed towards supporting innovative research on new clinically-relevant approaches designed to bring the latest world-class cancer treatments to front line care.Programs developed will include: Methods of latest chemotherapy delivery Enhanced nursing support through radiation, prevention and health promotion counseling Strategies to improve communication and the provision of emotional support to individuals and families receiving cancer treatments, follow up and palliative care.For more information please visit www.desouzanurse.ca ABOUT CAPO/ACOP The Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) promotes excellence in psychosocial care for people with cancer and their families throughout the cancer experience—from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship or death. While the physical symptoms of cancer are addressed with medical treatment, the emotional impact of the disease is often overlooked. Psychosocial oncology is a specialty in cancer care that is concerned with the whole person. It focuses on the social, psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of cancer through the entire cancer journey. CAPO works to transform cancer care wherever it is delivered—in hospital, in the community and in hospices. CAPO is a recognized international leader in the development of standards and guidelines for supportive quality of life care.Funding CAPO will improve the course of cancer for millions of Canadians living with cancer: Facilitate equal access to psychosocial support services regardless of where a person lives, their age, income or ethnicity. Standardized evidence based patient care models focused on reducing emotional and psychological distress. Improved psychosocial interventions and programs for individuals with high quality research. Implementation of standardized screening for distress throughout the cancer trajectory regardless of where cancer patients receive care Education and training for all health care professionals to increase capacity for psychosocial care. Raise awareness and expectations for quality psychosocial care.For more imformation please visit www.capo.ca [print_gllr id=3003]
Hosted by Linda Evangelista and Dean & Dan Caten of DSQUARED2, notable celebrities gathered for an upscale, fashionable and glamourous evening for the final MAC Viva Glam Fashion Cares fundraising event in support of men, women and youth living with HIV. The event then continued inside for music performances by the Scissor Sisters and Janelle Monae. Sir Elton John himself performed Tiny Dancer, Your Song, renditions of Rocket Man and Crocodile Rock. The finale, I’m Still Standing, with over 20 acts participating included Jully Black, Kesha Chante and Chantal Kreviazuk. Celebrities in attendance included: Scissor Sisters, Janelle Monae, Sky Ferreira, Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida, Jully Black, Billy Newton Davis, Carole Pope, Jarvis Church, Kreesha Turner, Elise Legrow, Anjulie, Shawn Desman, Divine Brown, Nikki Yanofsky and Jian Ghomeshi. We spotted Kardinal Offishall running in after the red carpet ended. The final Fashion Cares philanthropy event benefited Canadian HIV/AIDS foundations nationwide as distributed through the AIDS Committee of Toronto as well as the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF). It was nice to see that #FashionCares25 and #FC25 were trending on Twitter and we can see why! About AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) Since 1983 ACT has developed programs and services that respond to the changing needs of the communities it serves. ACT provides support services that empower men, women and youth living with HIV to achieve self-determination, informed decision-making, independence, and overall well-being. We do this through programs such as counselling, information provision, social support activities and programs that help people with HIV return to work. About Fashion Cares A critical, artistic and financial success since it’s inception in 1987, Fashion Cares builds awareness of HIV/AIDS while raising funds for the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT). Combining local and international fashion talent with the design and business communities, this always sold out, media and celebrity studded evening caps elegant cocktails and cuisine with a rousing auction, a theatrical runway event, and an entertainment spectacle. With a 22-year attendance record of over 50 thousand guests and volunteers, Fashion Cares has netted profits of nearly $12 million dollars to date. For Fashion Cares 25 updates, see www.fashioncares.com or www.facebook.com/FashionCares25 [print_gllr id=2895] Photos from the event [print_gllr id=2968]
The highly anticipated Monster Diesel and Ducati Diesel Collection has launched for the first time in Canada on September 6, 2012 and the premiere took place at the Diesel store right here in Yorkville. The collection is edgy, raw and sexy—a true reflection of a biker bad boy attitude. Pieces are inspired by the collaboration, with clean technical details and bold Diesel graphics in the t-shirts, leather jackets, jeans, sweaters, and more. Diesel is an international fashion industry legend in denim and casual wear. The clothing here does not deter from their brand, but rather epitomizes it alongside Ducati’s rugged military vehicle experience. These trusted Italian names are dedicated to men whose lives are measured in the fast lane. This collection is exclusive to the Diesel store on 92 Yorkville Avenue for a limited time while quantities last. For more information, visit www.diesel.com/ducati and check out the video of the making of Ducati Monster and Diesel Ducati clothing collections here http://www.diesel.com/ducati#collaboration ABOUT THE DUCATI / DIESEL COLLABORATION This is an exciting new phase in the Diesel/Ducati partnership, which started in 2011 with the Diesel sponsorship of the Ducati Team in MotoGP. The brand new customized model is an ‘urban military chic’ interpretation of Ducati’s iconic naked motorcycle and will be unveiled alongside the new collection at the Diesel stores in Canada. The collaboration is celebrated with a clothing collection reflecting the brands’ DNA and common roots of creativity and innovation, the key elements that enabled the two companies to become renowned icons of the “Made in Italy” tradition. The dual-branded collection is dedicated to addicts of life in the fast lane and composed of eleven different styles including essential slim-fitting biker jackets, sweats, tees, a unique five pocket in raw denim, and a set of accessories. All pieces are characterized by pure biker attitude, clean technical details and bold Diesel graphics. Set against the black treatment of Ducati’s Trellis frame, wheels, engine covers, exhaust system and forks, the exclusive ‘Diesel Brave Green matte’ livery delivers a rugged military vehicle feel, while front brake calipers are finished in shocking yellow to make a strong reminder of the model’s performance heritage. All pieces are characterized by pure biker attitude, clean technical details and bold Diesel graphics, such as the treated rubber prints. Colours for the collection are black, grey, white with pop up red inspired by logos from both brands, while the range of fabrics goes from treated nylon and cotton to denim and over-dyed jersey mix with leather and metal applications. [print_gllr id=2828]
We were excited to be at the Tundra because our friend would be there: Tundra executive sous chef, Eraj Jayawickreme. The award-winning Tundra restaurant in the Hilton Hotel was renovated and reopened and we had the opportunity to be part of the opening festivities to enjoy this great venue featuring designs from the Montreal-based design firm, Lemaymichaud, that allows patrons to socialize in a chic environment in the new lobby bar with a new concept focused on Canadian ingredients. The entrance to Tundra features a large, intricate sphere carved from a single piece of Vancouver Island red cedar by west-coast artist Brent Comber. Glass panels etched with a satellite image of Northern Quebec’s Ungava Bay. “One of our mandates was to craft different ambiences”, says lead designer, Louise Dupont. “So there’s one by the window where you can kick back. Another is around the bar and long table where people can be part of the action and see everything that’s going on. The restaurant is more about being cosseted in a fine dining environment. The Canadian elements may be subtle but they’re helping to make Tundra unique.” The overall ambiance of Tundra is warm and inviting. Draperies and freestanding movable walls act as dividers to provide flexibility ranging from large functions to intimate gatherings. Bites include a foamy cloud of buffalo mozzarella topped with pine-nut brittle and a crunchy cylindrical helping of crabmeat topped with Old Bay remoulade and oven-dried tomatoes. The most appealing bite of the night was the lobster mac and cheese. The seared scallop was great as well. Entertainment came from jugglers, ribbon twirlers and a fire-eating lady. The evening then led us to the the 32nd floor penthouse for desserts to end the evening on a sweet note. About Tundra Tundra incorporates as many inspiring elements of the landscape as possible. The colours and lighting are subdued and evocative of the natural features of the country we love most. Fresh, innovative design is inspired by the untamed Canadian landscape enhancing the award-winning creative, cutting-edge cuisine. Tundra offers seasonal menus using the freshest locally sourced ingredients making each dining experience unique throughout the year. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.com or by emailing the restaurant directly at tundra.toronto@hilton.com. Reservations may also be made over the phone by dialing (416) 860-6800. [print_gllr id=2779]