Comments Off on In Photos: The Salon Masters Show 2015 presented by Revlon
A celebration of masters of their craft, hair stylists and industry guests come together to acknowledge leading talents and their achievements
The night began in spectacular fashion with dramatic, high energy sophistication in an oh-so-stylish on-stage show of precision, artistry and technique by masters of their craft. With music thumping away, it felt like a runway show except, clothing wasn’t the occasion tonight, it’s hair hair hair! The event was held on Sunday March 29 at Muzik Night Club to a capacity crowd.
The Revlon Professional Style Masters Show showcases the talent and works of hair stylists in Canada. Based on a 1 cut, 3 look concept, hair stylists in the competition are judged and the award winner for Canada announced at this event. The award winning work will then be presented in the contest’s show in Europe.
Congratulations to Adrian Carew of Hair 2 Inc, winner of Canada Style Masters, 2015. Also congratulations to David Andreas Kyrkiris, American Crew Canada All-Star Challenge winner.
At the show, we are also introduced to the new Revlon Professional brand ambassador Olivia Wilde with a launch of the newest Revlon Professional brand products. Revlon representatives Maurice Fioriuo (Revlon Professional Brands Spokesperson & President of Fiorio International) and Miguel Garcia (Revlon Professional Global Creative Director) were also on hand as well as Rick Campanelli as MC’s to the show.
Also featured was Tim Kuo who was the mastermind behind the styling for part of the show. Tim Kuo has quite a few achievements to his name winning Revlon Professional Style Masters competition in 2012 and 2011. He is also the owner of Salon Haze in Vancouver.
The show ended with a celebratory shot of tequila by the hosts, signalling the guests to continue on… to the after party! With the affairs of the night taken care of, we had some more fun!
Comments Off on A walk through the new Market Street at St Lawrence Market
Things are looking up in terms of weather in Toronto and that’s where the St. Lawrence Market becomes an epicentre with the ever-popular Farmers Market, a fresh food destination for downtowners, the GTA as well as tourists. So with the growth in condos in the neighbourhood and the overflowing after-work patio destination Esplanade nearby, enter the emerging Market Street set to heat things up starting next week. Continue reading→
Comments Off on Sipping and savouring France with Barton & Guestier Wines at Nella Cucina
When one thinks of France, two things inevitably come to mind – food and wine. On April 1st, we had the opportunity to sip and savour France – with a selection of wines from Barton & Guestier, paired with French cuisine we would prepare under the guidance of the chefs from Nella Cucina.
When we arrived on the second floor of Nella Cucina where the cooking school resides, we saw Chef Brianne Nash and her team hard at work preparing hors d’oeuvres. Nash was a Chopped Canada winner in its first season, and also won the Discovered Chef competition at Nella Cucina in 2012. The first glass of wine we would try is the B & G Passporte Bordeaux Blanc, which derives from the Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grape varieties. This one was crisp and fruity and delicious. Pairing with wine was a delicious roasted fig, wine-infused caramelized onions, and ricotta on a crostini. During this time, we were also introduced to Clementine Quereax from Barton & Guestier, who came from the U.S. for this event.
Roasted fig, wine-infused caramelized onions, ricotta cheese on crostini
Clementine Quereux | Barton & Guestier
After some opening remarks from Quereux, it was time to cook! The attendees were divided into three groups handling the salad, the main, and the sides. The mains were New York striploins provided by Beretta Farms. I love to grill so I was very happy to be in the group handling these steaks. Nash taught us how to judge by touch the doneness of a steak using the fleshy part of our palms. You can also use a meat thermometer, and at 120 C the steak will be at medium rare. She also explained the importance of resting the steak after it’s been grilled; to do this properly, it should be placed on a rack uncovered so that it doesn’t continue to cook in the heat it’s releasing. I can’t wait till the summer grilling season to put this knowledge to good use. We then made the jus for the steak using a bottle of B & G Partager La Gardie Cabernet Sauvignon, shallots, butter, and a fresh sprig of rosemary.
Seasoning the steaks
Getting the perfect grill marks
Making the jus using Barton & Guestier Cabernet Sauvignon
The other two groups were just as busy and surely learning just as much we were. One group was making a beet, fennel, and apple salad with honey mustard dressing. The other group was making the sides for the steak, which included glazed beans and truffle roasted fingerling potatoes. Once all groups were finished, we were led to the private dining room where we would enjoy the fruits of our labour.
Beet, fennel, apple, arugula
Making the honey mustard dressing
We began with the dinner with the salad. This was paired with the B & G Partager La Gardie Merlot ($9.95 at the LCBO). This wine balanced well with the sweetness of the dressing, and the tartness of the beets and green apple. Next came our mains; the steak now was plated beautifully with the glazed beans and potatoes prepared by the other group. The B & G Partager La Gardie Cabernet Sauvignon ($9.95 at the LCBO) was the pairing wine. This was also used in the jus, and having a glass alongside the steak definitely served to further enhance the flavours of both. Both dishes were delicious – kudos to the attendees and the instruction given by the Nella Cucina team!
Beet, fennel, and apple salad with honey mustard dressing
NY Stripling with Cabernet Sauvignon jus on a bed of glazed beans and truffled fingerling potatoes
In between courses, Quereux mingled with the guests and gave a brief description of each of the wines. The guests engaged in enjoyable conversation and were having a good time. The two dishes we had so far were already great, and then the dessert arrived – a dark chocolate brownie with sour cherry compote. With it came a glass of the recently released Les Charmes de Magnol Médoc ($18.95 at LCBO). I don’t normally like dry wines, but this one beautifully complemented the sweetness of the brownie and the tartness of the compote. It was a great way to end the evening.
Dark chocolate brownies with sour cherry compote
Les Charmes de Magnol Méduc
There are few things better in my mind than a perfect food and wine pairing, and tonight proved this again. We enjoyed the time we spent Nella Cucina learning how to cook, savouring our creations, and sipping the wines from Barton & Guestier. Thanks to Clementine Quereux and Barton & Guestier, Chef Brianne Nash and the Nella Cucina team, and Butter PR for a memorable evening.
Comments Off on Upcoming: Celebrate Inspiring and Powerful Women
Coming up is an exciting and exclusive opportunity to celebrate, learn and network with an inspiring and accomplished panel of women at the private Granite Club presented by Weizmann Canada.
Learn about how they have overcome obstacles to achieve success stories in their respective fields. Continue reading→
Comments Off on In Photos: Celebrating the grain at Canadian Club’s #IHeartRye whisky tasting event
New and only in Canada, the Chairman’s Select 100% Rye Whisky is Canadian Club‘s latest in its premium lineup. As the name suggests it is made from 100% rye grain, and it’s the first of its kind to be introduced by any of the top three selling whisky brands in Canada. The #IHeartRye event, held on March 31st at The Citizen in the happening King West neighbourhood, offered us a chance to discover what this new whisky was all about. Continue reading→
