The best way to open a fashion week is by honouring those who have impacted the industry in a big way. Fashion Group International (FGI) knows how to do it right, as they did just that with their luncheon on Monday, March 23rd, when they celebrated the many achievements and successes of Bonnie Brooks by awarding her with FGI’s International Award of the Year.
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The emerging Castlefield Design District of Toronto has a new kid on the block – the recently opened GE Monogram Design Centre and cooking studio. Designed by Harry Pontarini Architects, it aims to “elevate Toronto’s Design District and culinary landscape”, according to Monogram General Manager, Philippe Meyersohn. On Thursday, March 26, we had the chance to check out this beautiful new space during their launch party.
The new design centre consists of two floors. The main floor houses the spacious 4,000 sq ft. showroom, where GE Monogram’s professional kitchen appliances were on display. There are two kitchens – the Forest Hill Kitchen with its contemporary design, and flush appliances, and the Brooklyn kitchen, taking more traditional cues and blending classic and contemporary styles. The whole showroom is absolutely gorgeous, and will surely inspire you with ideas for your own kitchen.
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- Left: Top Chef Canada Winner Carl Heinrich
Top Chef Canada Winner Carl Heinrich and his team provided the gourmet bites for the evening, using the space and the appliances to their fullest. Also providing eats from the evening were Hooked (with Chef Kristin Donovan also present) and the Cheese Boutique. Guests enjoyed fresh west coast oysters, charcuterie boards, and cheeses among other things. For sweets there were cinnamon buns, and even gourmet ice cream in flavours such as saffron, cherry cola, and popcorn. Perrier Jouët champagne, and cocktails made using Absolut Elyx, were also being served.
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- Kristin Donovan | Hooked, Carl Heinrich | Richmond Station
Heading to the second floor, you ascend a circular staircase with an impressive glass light sculpture overhanging. You then enter the equally impressive 2,500 square foot cooking studio. Again it’s a fully functional space with the GE Monogram appliances proudly showcased. The cooking studio is helmed by Donna Dooher, owner of Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, and Esther Benaim formerly heading Great Cooks on Eight, also a cooking school. This space can be used for social functions and events, lessons, and demonstrations, where guests can partake in the cooking, or simply watch as the chefs prepare great dishes. There is also a private dining room where the guests can enjoy the kitchen creations. Another unique feature is the soon to be completed urban herb garden, developed in consultation with the Toronto Botanical Gardens.
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- Light sculpture
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- Private dining room
The new GE Monogram Design Centre and cooking studio is located at 1290 Castlefield Ave., just west of Ronald Ave. Its hours are 10 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday and 11AM to 3 PM on Saturdays.
For more information:
http://www.monogram.ca
Twitter: #MonogramTO
Instagram: #MonogramTO
Photos by John Tan
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- Portrait wall
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- Left: Top Chef Canada Winner Carl Heinrich
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- Left to right: Esther Benaim | Great Cooks on Eight, Donna Dooher | Owner, Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, Philippe Meyersohn | General Manager, Monogram
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- Second floor cooking studio
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- Private dining room
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- Light sculpture
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- Top Chef Canada Winner Carl Heinrich
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- Burnt orange ice cream
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- Ice cream topping station
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- Kristin Donovan | Hooked, Carl Heinrich | Richmond Station
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- Right: Esther Benaim | Great Cooks on Eight
While we’re patiently waiting for summer, why not start enjoying the fresh spring air and continue with that New Year’s resolution of staying fit in 2015? Here are some ideas that get me to exercise outside.
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On Thursday, March 26th, 2015 it was a packed house at the Toronto Reference Library (Bram & Bluma Appel Salon) for SNAP! 2015.
Presented by the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), SNAP! is a lively annual photography auction. Featuring both a silent and a live auction, the photographs are taken by both up-and-coming and established photographers.
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Although the curtains have drawn to a close for World MasterCard Fashion Week, we remember the glitz and glamour of all the after parties and events that help make fashion week exhilarating and memorable. One such event was on March 26th, 2015, Holt Renfrew’s celebration of international designer Fausto Puglisi who known for his bold, bright and sexy designs that have a touch of flare and drama.
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