The Drinks Show is here! The world’s only interactive cocktail event is set to showcase unique handcrafted cocktails with hot new recipes and Toronto’s most innovative and popular bartenders serving it all up. The Drinks Show is returning to the trendy 99 Sudbury venue in the heart of Toronto’s sizzling Gallery District on Friday, June 8th and Saturday June 9th from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. This year, The Drinks Show will be partnering with Toronto’s top bartenders from the city’s trendiest restos, pubs and bars. Here’s a little about them: Oliver Stern is the bar manager at the Toronto Temperance Society. With more than 10 years of bartending experience, he has found ways to experiment with cocktails while showing the classics the respect they deserve. Robin Kaufman from TTS is a lover of the classic cocktails, American whisky and great food. Throw a glass of wine or pint of beer in there and he won’t complain. Jordan Stacey is the bar manager and resident mixologist for the King Street West hotspot Brassaii. His passion for classic cocktails fuels him to hone his skills by learning some of the world’s forgotten cocktails while pushing the envelope of creativity. Matthew Larochelle has been making people drinks for 10 years in Toronto. He and his two partners opened Cold Tea in Kensington Market late last year. Robin Wayne is a food-inspired bartender who likes to make cocktails inspired from the kitchen. He is passionate about bartending with a creative edge to challenge the palate like molecular cocktails driven with a focus on food-based ingredients. Michelle Tham is a director of the Canadian Professional Bartenders Association. She brings to the craft a combination of culinary-driven technique with an avant-garde approach to flavour profiles and taste perception. Having lived a previous life as a traveled cook, she approaches the bar as a kitchen. Michelle has an appreciation for traditional and classical methods. Clint Pattemore is the Caesar Mixing Officer (CMO) for Mott’s Clamato Caesar. His favourite garnish is his Mom’s pickled celery. Clint travels the country teaching people about the Mott’s Clamato Caesar. Oh Canada! Brad Gubbins is the head bartender and bar manager at SpiritHouse, Toronto’s newest hotbed for all things spirits and cocktails. Brad loves drinks that are spirit forward and offers his patrons not just a great drink, but a great night as well. Sarah Parniak is a bartender, freelance writer and flavour enthusiast who teaches and consults at the Toronto Institute of Bartending. You can find her behind the stick at Kensington Market’s Cold Tea on weekends, where she cracks a mean tallboy and likes to experiment. Highlights of the ninth edition of The Drinks Show include an onsite whiskey taste test challenge and a whisky cocktail competition. Other contests, challenges, prizes, swag, photo ops and more will take place throughout the course of both nights. For tickets and more information visit http://www.drinksshow.ca
Bluebird held their 3rd annual “Food and Art Thing” at The Burroughes on Queen West on June 2, 2012. It’s an event showing that food can be edible art and vice-versa. All the art exhibits at each booth had a food-themed element. The Food Dudes did a great job of catering the event and using their food-driven entertainment to continue the theme and also keep the guests well-fed with many visually appealing pieces of edible hors-d’oeurves art. When we first experienced the Food Dudes at BMW Downtown Toronto for the new 3-series launch event, it was delightful. So what we’ve learned is that wherever Food Dudes are, we must be there as well! The event was well-attended and entertainment was found in many forms. It was our first time at Bluebird and we look forward to seeing Bluebird again next year! About Bluebird: Founded by Devan Rajkumar in 2009, the event showcases unique & interesting expressions that vividly showcase and demonstrate the interrelationship between food & art, while supporting local artists and giving back to those in need. For more information visit www.bluebirdto.com BlueBirdTO.com
On May 6, 2012, the Children’s Aid Foundation hosted the SPARK gala at the Carlu. Proceeds from for the fundraiser went to support the Ignite the Spark Fund which provides life-changing opportunities for disadvantaged children and youth living in the child welfare system. These opportunities allow them to explore their interests in sports, arts and cultural activities which are crucial to their personal growth and development. The event successfully raised $400,000 and allows for a life-changing three-year commitment to support each youth in their chosen field. It was well-attended with Anne Mroczkowski and Leslie Roberts as co-hosts as well as Randy Bachman, Lisa Ray, Patrick Chan, Bernadette Morra and Jackie Richardson. Martin Lim was also a featured fashion designer in attendance. ABOUT THE IGNITE THE SPARK FUND One out of every 25 children in Canada are at risk and need our help. Many have suffered in poverty and are victims of abuse or neglect. As a result, 300,000 of these children and youth have a social worker, while a staggering 76,000 are Crown wards who live in foster care or residential programs. For these vulnerable children and youth, there are often significant gaps in funding that prevent them from enrolling in hockey, taking dance or learning to play a musical instrument. However, these very experiences can be the catalyst to restoring self-esteem, developing interpersonal and coping skills and finding the inner strength to build successful lives. Inspired by their adopted daughter, Mark Daniels and Andrea Weissman-Daniels founded the Ignite the Spark Fund – a unique initiative to fund “enrichment” programs. Spark is unlike any other fund because it helps children who have no access to, or can’t afford to have new experiences in sports, arts and recreation. The Fund is also unique because it allows children to enrol in any program of their choice within their own communities and provides a commitment over multiple years. It also covers the costs of related clothing and equipment and gives them a level playing field with their peers. The Ignite the Spark fund not only supports children and youth involved with child welfare organizations in Toronto, (such as: Jewish Family and Child; Native Child and Family Services of Toronto; and Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto) it also supports children under the watch of child welfare services across Canada. Click here to watch the Spark Gala video highlights. Didn’t attend this year? You can still support the Ignite the Spark Fund Photos courtesy of Children’s Aid Foundation [print_gllr id=1607]
On May 7, 2012, The David Cornfield Melanoma Fund (DCMF) hosted a fundraising gala with a silent auction at the Liberty Grand. The annual event aims to promote awareness of the potentially deadly skin cancer. Heartfelt speeches were given and David Cornfield’s legacy was remembered. Also it was a celebration of their successfully viral video “Dear 16 Year Old Me” copied below (please take a few minutes to watch and share). A $10,000 cheque was presented from DCMF to the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. About DCMF The David Cornfield Melanoma Fund was established in 2007 and is devoted to saving lives from melanoma by promoting awareness of this potentially deadly disease. Melanoma is a common and serious skin cancer which, if not treated early, is usually fatal. The good news is that the risk of melanoma can be significantly decreased by reducing exposure to UV radiation, and that the prognosis for melanoma patients can be improved by early detection. The bad news is that despite increasing public awareness of the dangers of UV radiation, many people still do not understand the seriousness of the damage caused by exposure to UV radiation, particularly damage caused during early years. Further, not enough people are aware of the early signs of melanoma, or the importance of self detection. As a result, melanoma is often ignored until it’s too late. However, we believe that through David’s story, we can bring change. The DCMF Mission To reduce the incidence, via prevention and early self-detection of melanoma as well as, improve the prognosis of melanoma via education and research into the disease. For more information visit www.dcmf.ca [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4jgUcxMezM] [print_gllr id=1882]
MyEventSuite.com hosted a launch party for 350+ event planners and media to introduce their new website which aims to be the go-to, all-in-one resource for busy event planners to get the job done all from one, comprehensive website. The launch party at Corus Quay, 25 Dockside Drive featured watermelon-tequila splashers in test tubes, steak and ahi tuna, unique cocktails with edible flowers, Snapz photo booth, creating your own music videos, a mechanical bull, ice cream truck, cotton candy machine and more. As described on the MyEventSuite.com website: My EventSuite is a fresh, dynamic web service that is committed to providing the most comprehensive and trustworthy event planning service available anywhere. Use My EventSuite to get quotes from the most recommended professionals in Toronto, and to keep all your research and decisions organized in one place. Our budget tools and comprehensive calendar will help keep your event organized, while our resourceful blog will provide you with creative inspiration and sound event planning advice. Your FREE My EventSuite account also lets you create a personalized website for your event. Being that the account is free, it might be worth trying My EventSuite for preparing you create your next event or wedding whether big or small. For more information visit www.myeventsuite.com [print_gllr id=1852]
Guess celebrated 30 Sexy Years with the help of FLARE Magazine and chose Claudia Schiffer as the marquee ambassador. Also the limited edition 30th Anniversary Collection was released to celebrate the sexy, stylish heritage. The Guess 30th anniversary celebrations in Toronto were held at the store on Queen West followed by an after party at Cube. The Queen West store celebrated with cocktails, flipbooks, gifts such as $30 Guess gift cards and more. The after party at Cube featured Guess-branded cocktails served by beautiful ladies in Guess 30th anniversary retro t-shirts, Snapz photo booth and more. Looking forward to more celebrations with Guess for years to come. To quote Guess CEO Paul Marciano, “Guess is timeless and sensual.” For more information visit www.guess1981.com 30th Anniversary Collection www.lotusleaf.ca
On May 1st, 2012 Oliver & Bonacini pulled out all the stops to host a grand, highly-anticipated open house gala at the Arcadian, located on the 8th floor of the Simpson Tower at Queen and Bay. The re-opening event featured Snapz Photo Booth, an oyster bar, a stunning dessert table, great live music and so much more. The Arcadian Court and Arcadian loft were restored and modernized from top to bottom. Talking with the guests, it was unanimous that it was a refreshing change. It was an incredible experience for the 2,000 guests who registered to attend. If you ever get a chance to attend an event at the Arcadian, be sure to make it a priority! This newly re-launched event space boasts historic charm and modern sophistication in two distinct venues – the revitalized Arcadian Court and the new Arcadian Loft – and is already one of Toronto’s most sought after venues. The grand Arcadian Court has been restored to its art deco glory featuring modern new amenities, while a flexible contemporary space has also been created in Arcadian Loft. Together, these two spaces form a unique complex which will meet the needs of any event or occasion. Arcadian’s maximum seated capacity is 800 and its standing capacity is 1500. http://events.oliverbonacini.com/Venues/Arcadian.aspx [print_gllr id=1675]
Last week: Mixing fashion, photography, film and visual arts under one roof, 213 Sterling Rd, the first of four days of Arts & Fashion Week included the following exhibits for the Runway Show: Cosmetic Green by Karey Shinn Fashion on Film: The Gardener, by Katja Hentschel B.E. Shields – Isolated Incidents Jade Sullivan-Vallentyne Pat McDonagh Couture & The Consortium: Maria Manceva, Dolly Sophie, Patricia Kowalski, Albert Yuen Fashion on Film: A Ballardian Collection by Camille Marceaux and Nicolas Davenel MITRA Ghavamian Belinda Visag Armour by Seema Angela Sum Asphyxia Little White Dress Chic Edge Fashion STudio Mackenzie Jones featuring Danielle Cameron For more information visit http://fashionarttoronto.ca/
Chivas is declaring June 14th to be the scotch event of the year. Be sure to mark your calendars and register to “get past the velvet rope”. Check the website for other Chivas events. The next Chivas event “Sip, Shower, & Shave” is May 1st at Mankind at 221 Eglinton Ave. Hosted by Bruce Croxon (the co-founder of Lavalife) on June 14, 2012, you can have a chance to immerse yourself in the Chivas lifestyle at 1801. It’s the scotch event of the year, celebrating style, innovation and the finer things in life. Socialize with the who’s who of Toronto at our exclusive downtown location as we raise a glass of our famous Chivas 25 Year Old. Celebrity appearances include Wendel Clark, The Young Empires, and more. For more information visit chivas1801.com
Fans of Kim Kardashian will get their chance to see her live and in person as she introduces her spring collection of her line of jewellery, BELLE NOEL, to the Bay.
Come to Abode Public Residence at 128 Peter St. on Thursday, April 26th for a Glenlivet Complimentary Tasting event. RSVP to suhaib@abodebar.com
lFATl FASHIONmarket POP-UP Designer Shop Takes place this Saturday, April 28 (this is the last day of FAT!) From 11AM to Midnight Free and Open to the public The DRAKE Lab space is on 1142 Queen Street West (near to the Drake Hotel) The POP-UP Shop will have designs from the FAT runway, including: WallacePlayford Chicedge Fashion Studio Human Nature Raji Aujla Belinda Visag Pedram Karimi Natasha Sakhuja Rachel Sin Mackenzie Jones + MORE For more information visit: http://fashionarttoronto.ca/2012-schedule/day-5/
FAT kicked off the exciting week of alternative Fashion and Arts in Toronto at the Drake Lab with exhibitions by artists such as Andrew Owen. Drake Lab is a small cozy venue which quickly got packed with fans of FAT until the after party at the trendy, new bar, Church Apertivo. For more information visit: fashionarttoronto.ca/ twitter.com/fatoronto
Last night was the kick-off of the series of Friday Nights Live @ROM (The Royal Ontario Museum, of course) with a different theme each week featuring DJs, pop-up food and bars. The opening event was as-advertised and as good as it sounded, with the most appealing aspect being the beautiful, unique venue for those who are tired of the same bar/clubbing/lounge scene. The only way it could be better is if it was open until 2am. However, closing the bars at 10:30pm means it’s not an alternative to the club scene, rather just an alternative to pre-drinking for those who are active in the club scene. On the opening night we were glad to see our friends at Fidel Gastro and we were lucky enough to snag one of their last famous gourmet sandwiches before they sold out that night. The entertainment was solid as provided by Simon Jain featuring DJ Wayne Wunder. Be sure to check out the upcoming Friday nights at the ROM. It’s definitely worth a visit! See you at the next one! http://www.rom.on.ca/fridays/ “Friday Night Live @ROM is an opportunity for Toronto’s young adults to experience the Museum in a way that speaks to them,” says Janet Carding, Director and CEO, Royal Ontario Museum. “Modeled after similar events in museums and galleries across the United States and Europe, we look forward to providing a new and exciting way to be a part of the ROM.”
Elle Canada and Intermix store at 130 Bloor Street West hosted a fun shopping event with Editor-in-Chief Noreen Flanagan. The large variety of desserts were deliciously decadent. The aromachology booth was really fun allowing you to create your own personalized scent to take home. Thanks Elle and Intermix for hosting a fun shopping event!
On April 17th, we were treated to 2 choices of signature Perrier cocktails at the trendy, newish Bloke and 4th at King West. Cocktail No. 01 (Tangerine Mojito) was Bacardi rum-based and featured a whole, peeled tangerine dipped in liquid nitrogen. Cocktail No. 07 (Blood-Orange Vodka) a Grey Goose Vodka based drink with blood-orange juice and generous amounts of rosemary. The tangerine mojito was most refreshing especially with the thawing tangerine at the bottom. The hors d’oeurves were plentiful and delicious. We were especially delighted with the seasoned rack of lamb and tiger shrimp treats. The amazing staff at Perrier and Bloke and 4th were friendly and courteous. With the food, drink, live music and atmosphere all on point, we were satisfied with this sleeper of an event. For more information, please visit http://societeperrier.com/toronto
Last week the Stirling Room in the Distillery District hosted an open house gala event to showcase their cocktails created by The Martini Club and a select few caterers featuring delicious treats such as gazpacho, oysters, fried chicken on waffles and cupcakes. The Star Martini was our favourite cocktail of the night for the right amount of sweetness but some guests preferred the more bitter Blueberry Collins. Overall it was a fantastic night that met our expectations with entertainment from DJ Agile and Sahab Habibi of Bongo & B Entertainment.
Foursquare celebrated Foursquare Day with social media fans in Toronto at the Pilot Tavern at Cumberland with the help of sponsors Creemore Springs, iSkin, Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Jugnoo, the LBMA, ContactMonkey and GoBabu. Guests were treated to a free Creemore Springs beer upon arrival, a complimentary iSkin smartphone case and the chance to win many great prizes from Fairmont Royal York Hotel and a Samsung Galaxy Tab. Thanks for hosting, Nat and Marie!
Lou Dawg’s at King West invited the public to celebrate their 3rd year with the help of New Orleans big band Irene Torres and the Sugar Devils. Appreciative customers were treated to Executive Chef Sean Smith’s famous jambalaya and samples of Fireball whiskey and swag. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday night! For more information visit loudawgs.com
The Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) had an elegant fundraising gala after party with a silent auction in support of children with cancer at the Liberty Grand on Saturday, April 14th, 2012. For more information visit POGO.ca
The Dutch based watch brand, TW Steel, showcased their collection of oversized watches at the Thompson Hotel rooftop. Jordy Cobelens, the founder of TW Steel, gave a speech reiterating Kelly Rowland as the newest brand ambassador with promises of more ambassadors to come. The collections feature great upscale design and a surprisingly competitive pricepoint with some great designs below $800. ABOUT TW STEEL TW Steel is specializes in oversized watches that are affordable and feature design and innovation. Founded in 2005 in Amsterdam by Jordy Cobelens with the CEO and Chief Design Officer duties handled by Jordy’s father Ton Cobelens. For more information visit twsteel.com
Compared to last month’s event where it was unbearably cold unless you were glued next to a heat lamp and most food was sold out before 8pm, this month’s Toronto Underground Market event was better. Heat lamps were not there this time would have been useful for those unprepared for the cool evening at Evergreen Brick Works. Regardless, the TUM events consistently sell out quickly for the opportunity to experience unique good eats. We heard the bank machine was out-of-order, so this could have been pretty inconvenient for the cashless at a cash-only event. Familiar vendors from last month included Hogtown Brewers, Babi & Co, Fidel Gastro, Tequila Tromba and Comida Del Pueblo. La Carnita Taco’s absence was noticeable as they are busy preparing for UNO and their new storefront. It was great to see that after most vendors were selling out, Rock Lobster was one of the few still going strong up until a grand 1,000 orders. See you at the Street Food Block Party on May 5th at 5pm! Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 12th at 10am. It will sell out fast! For more information visit http://www.yumtum.ca.
To celebrate having 10,000 likes on their Facebook page, Steamwhistle threw a customer appreciation party with live music from Free Whiskey and pop-up food vendors Rock Lobster and Fusia Dog. That was a nice-looking cake! http://www.facebook.com/SteamWhistle https://twitter.com/RockLobsterFood http://fusiadog.com
BMW Toronto treated guests to a delicious variety of fine food catered by Food Dudes and drinks while showcasing the all new BMW 3 Series. For the first time there will be Sport, Luxury and Modern Lines. Thanks for allowing us to be there, Katie Quinn and BMW Toronto! For more information visit http://www.bmwtoronto.ca [print_gllr id=1824]
Melanie Fiona mingled with us at Nyood on Queen West over complimentary cocktails and canapes. It was great meeting you! Your mother is so nice!
Media, designers and architecture were invited to preview the new “Ottawa Collection” designed by Karim Rashi at the BoConcept store at Jarvis and Adelaide. Karim Rashid is considered one of the most prolific designers of his generation with international acclaim from over 3,000 designs in production and works featured in 200 permanent collections in over 35 countries.
Molson is going across Canada and wants you to know that Coors Light Iced Tea is the beer of the summer by introducing the product to the party people of Toronto at the Sound Academy at Polson Pier last night. It is a unique light-tasting beer that’s refreshing and not too bad. There are also similar parties coming up in Ottawa and Niagara next week. Was it one of the biggest parties of the summer? Without any food it’s not likely to hold the title for long but the entertainment provided and venue setup made it a very good effort. For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/MolsonCoorsToronto
The food truck revolution in Toronto is well underway, with the Gourmet Bitches (Shontelle Pinch and Bianka Matchett) showing that food from a truck doesn’t always need to be a heart attack in box, stick or sausage form. Healthy and delicious choices are possible as evident with last night’s Gourmet Bitches food truck launch and tasting event at The Boiler House in the distillery district. Guests were given an envelope to provide feedback on the gourmet delicacies. Greetings were well-received with a delicious saketini cocktail with lavender which was sweet, strong yet delicious. Wouldn’t it be amazing if this was served from the truck as well?? If only… The kale and arugula salad was packed full of intense garlic flavour with sliced tomatoes which was a side dish worthy of standing on its own. The mahi mahi & shrimp cerviche dish was another refreshing salad that would be benefit greatly with fresh squeezed lemon juice and peppercorn. I could go to town with the rubbed chicken wings with 3 types of dip (lemon aioli was my favourite) and the pulled pork /sweet potato fries. The best treat was the Balinese chicken on corn tostada with sour cream. Looking forward to the mobile healthy gluten-free eats and treats in this hard-to-miss pimped out food truck! [print_gllr id=2559]
As part of the Canadian Special Events expo, Fermenting Cellar had an open house last week. The feature cocktail of the night was a refreshing Cucumber Collins. We especially enjoyed the oyster bar and dessert station as must-haves at your next grand event. About the Fermenting Cellar: The Fermenting Cellar of the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery, originally constructed in 1859 on what was then Toronto’s waterfront, has now been transformed into the most unique event platform in the GTA. Located in the critically acclaimed Distillery Historic District, a national historic site and the most important heritage destination in Canada, this flagship venue hold up to 600 people for a stand up licensed event, to a maximum of 400 people for a seated dinner in a breathtaking Industrial chic setting. From the heavy timber beams and trusses to the original Kingston limestone walls, the Fermenting Cellar offers your event a memorable atmosphere. For more information about the Fermenting Cellar visit http://www.fermentingcellar.ca