Comments Off on We’re giving away a $50 gift card to Boom Breakfast
UPDATE: The $50 gift card giveaway is now closed. Congrats to our winner David R.!
By this January, it will have been 10 years since Boom Breakfast first opened, dishing up your favourite breakfast and brunch options. In those 10 years they’ve grown to 4 locations across the GTA.
The menu includes a wide variety of items such as omelettes, eggs benedict, and breakwiches that always hit the spot. I enjoyed the Benny Boom eggs benedict with Nanuk smoked salmon and freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice as well as coffee. A great combo to start any great day!
To help you celebrate Boom’s 10th anniversary, we’re giving away a $50 gift card for you to spend at any of the 4 locations. 50 bucks… that’s a lot of good breakfast!
Comments Off on Culinary showdown photos from Cook for the Cure
Featuring an all-star lineup of chefs, the KitchenAid Cook for the Cure was a culinary showdown held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto on December 7th, 2013. Chefs included the Food Network’s Lynn Crawford, Chuck Hughes, Mark McEwan, Vikram Vij and Corbin Tomaszeski hosted by actor Dean McDermott alongside Tyler Florence (host of the Great Food Truck Race and Food Court Wars).
The top 50 fundraisers for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation got to participate and compete in the Cook for the Cure culinary competition, splitting into 5 teams headed by each of the chefs.
The big day started with a “Celebrity Chef School” session where the 50 participants were coached about ingredient picking to proper plating. Trade secrets were also revealed on food preparation, knife techniques, and methodology in advance of the high-pressure competition in the evening.
Then the evening started with a cocktail reception including rubbing elbows and photo ops with the chefs, and bidding on silent auction items.
After the first course, the scores were displayed and Team Vij was in the lead with 47.2 points from the judges followed by McEwan at 44.5 points. Team Crawford was 3rd at 41.5 points.
Then after the second course, the competition was heating up with Team Vij at 90.2 points, Team Crawford at 81.5 and McEwan at 77.5 points.
It was a tight race but at the end Chef Mark McEwan‘s team was declared the winner in a shocking comeback in the dessert course. I guess Vikram Vij took some risks in the dessert that didn’t score well with the judges but you must admire him for not playing it safe just to keep his lead.
We got to hear a brave, emotional story of a breast cancer survivor and I could see more than few people were brought to tears.
The live auction featured one-of-a-kind culinary experiences up for grabs from the Chefs including the one from Chuck Hughes, who refused to allow his bid to close until he got one more thousand to much hilarity. He’s a great sport and I’m glad he got it.
It was a fun, friendly culinary competition all for the sake of creating a future without breast cancer.
“I’d like to thank all of the fundraisers, sponsors and fabulous chefs who are supporting our vision of a future without breast cancer,” said Sandra Palmaro, CEO of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF), Ontario Region.
“Donations from this event allow CBCF to continue to fund relevant, innovative research and support and advocate for the breast cancer community.”
Top chefs: Vikram Vij, Mark McEwan
Team McEwan with the KitchenAid Cook for the Cure trophy
MORE PHOTOS
Three Olives
Lynn Crawford
Lynn Crawford, Jenelle Antolin
Lynn Crawford
Dean McDermott
Tyler Florence, Dean McDermott
Appetizers
The antics of Mark McEwan
Chuck Hughes showing us what’s under the apron
Mark McEwan, Chuck Hughes
Corbin heckling Vikram
Steph
Team Vikram
The judges
Dean McDermott
Dean McDermott, John Cirillo
Chuck Hughes at Cook for the Cure 2013 | Photo: Nick Lee
Chuck Hughes
Vikram Vij
The KitchenAid Cook for the Cure award
Dean McDermott, Tyler Florence
Our main course
Corbin Tomaszeski
Lynn Crawford
The dish from Team Vikram Vij
Breast cancer survivor
Donut centrepiece
Chuck Hughes asking for one more thousand from the auction bidding
Chuck Hughes asking for one more thousand from the auction bidding
Our dessert
Vikram Vij
Lyriq Bent snapping some photos
At the judges’ table
Corbin Tomaszeski cheering on his team
Team McEwan with the KitchenAid Cook for the Cure trophy
right: Anne Cayer
Three Olives
Spongetowels mascot
right: Chuck Hughes
Jenelle Antolin, Chuck Hughes
Chefs Vikram Vij, Mark McEwan
Mark McEwan
Lyriq Bent
John Cirillo
Braised short rib on mashed potatoes
Corbin Tomaszeski , Joel Hock
About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is the leading community–driven organization in Canada dedicated to creating a future without breast cancer. Our investments in innovative and relevant research and education have led to progress in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Since 1986, we have been at the forefront of a nationwide movement supporting and advocating for the breast cancer community. Join us at www.cbcf.org.
SEE ALSO
Giada de Laurentiis to headline Chefs Challenge 2014
Comments Off on How to make a difference with your holiday shopping
It’s one more weekend closer to Christmas and for many people it’s time to go holiday shopping. Here’s a few gift ideas for the philanthropically-inclined, most of which don’t even require you to leave your home and fight crowds for the latest trendy must-haves.
WWF Canada’s Adopt-a-Pet
I recommended this last year but it doesn’t get old because it’s still a meaningful gift that doesn’t go out of style: symbolically adopt a species at risk from WWF Canada with proceeds supporting conservation work. You’ll receive an adoption kit that includes a plush animal version of the adoptee (many choices including giant pandas). For those of us in the city, put your order in by December 17th for delivery before Dec. 25th. Click here for the WWF scoop.
Fred Perry 12 days of giveaways
Since many of you will be out and about shopping anyway, why not shop for a chance to win prizes and have the opportunity to give back at the same time? We’re in the midst of Fred Perry’s 12 days of giveaways. Visit the Fred Perry flagship store on 965 Queen West and bring food donations for your chance to win prizes until December 20th. Visit their Facebook page for more details. Each day a winner will be drawn from the names submitted that day. There’s many great prizes to be won including a $500 Fred Perry gift card! Proceeds go to support the Daily Bread Food Bank.
Entries are as follows:
Donate to the Daily Bread Food Bank = 2 entries
Make a purchase at the store = 1 entry
Donate & make a purchase = 3 entries
Air Miles Charities
Racking up lots of Air Miles with your shopping? Well you can donate your points to charities of your choice including the WWF, motionball for the Special Olympics, Canadian Red Cross and more. Click here for details on the Air Miles website.
SickKids Foundation’s gift giving guide
Check out the many ways you can help the SickKids FoundationSick Kids holiday gift giving guide for all the ways you can help from eating at restaurants such as Destingo and Bangkok Garden to making donations at the LCBO to their Get Better Gifts for kids.
Mount Sinai Hospital’s 2013 Constellation of Distinction
You can join the 2013 Constellation of Distinction to support high priority needs at Mount Sinai Hospital. Last year, members made a direct impact by raising funds for infant ventilators for our tiniest patients and ground-breaking cancer research that could save the life of someone you love. Click here for info on how to donate with an eligible tax receipt.
The City of Toronto’s guide to helping Toronto’s Homeless
The City of Toronto also has a long list of how to help the homeless this holiday season categorized by region. Click here to visit the toronto.ca page How to help Toronto’s homeless this holiday season.
SEE ALSO
Win VIP tickets to Kardinal Offishall’s Christmas Party with Nelly Furtado in support of Free the Children
Comments Off on The new Rock ‘n’ Horse Saloon takes country to the city
Taking over the old London Tap House on 250 Adelaide St. West, the new country bar Rock ‘n’ Horse Saloon opened on December 4th in the downtown core. The country themed details go deep, from the mechanical bull all the way down to the bar stools with full-sized saddles.
The launch party was packed featuring the Spurlesque dance group, door prizes, cupcakes, great food, giant margaritas and their signature drink, The Bulldog, which was a lime margarita with an upside-down Corona bottle. Definitely a fun treat. It boasts one of Toronto’s only mechanical bull.
Guests in attendance included country stars Gord Bamford, Michelle Wright, Kira Isabella, radio host Paul McGuire, Rachel David (Rogers TV) and a few Toronto Argonaut players.
The menu features corn dogs, chilli, BBQ entrees and the venue has plenty of screens for watching sports. “We pride ourselves on producing excellent pub fare with country home inspirations. Paying homage to seasonality and availability, you’re sure to find comfort here at the Rock ‘n’ Horse Saloon”, says Executive Chef Mark Crofton.
Thursdays feature live music and weekend nights are about parties. See their website for more details about the schedule of events including their New Years party.
Spurlesque dancers
Rock n Horse Saloon’s signature drink “The Bulldog “
Natalie Deane, Rachel David
Bar stools with full-sized saddles
For more info visit their website here or their Facebook page here
Curiously on that very same night Toronto was treated to another country bar opening also with a mechanical bull called Boots n Bourbon by Matt Dean Petit of Rock Lobster fame. Boy, that guy sure is busy.
More photos by Nick Lee
Bar stools with full-sized saddles
Corn Dawg with Spiced Mustard, Chili Ketchup
Jalapeño Corn Bread with cole slaw
A Spurlesque girl riding the mechanical bull
A Spurlesque girl riding the mechanical bull
Giant mango margaritas
Spurlesque dancers
Spurlesque dancers
Spurlesque dancers
Rock n Horse Saloon’s signature drink “The Bulldog “
Comments Off on The Lucian Matis Home pop up shop opens for the holidays
UPDATE: Due to popular demand, the Lucian Matis Home pop up shop has been extended until February 2, 2014 and includes new inventory! Here are some photos of the new additions.
Lucian Matis Home faux fur throw
Lucian Matis Home candles
Lucian Matis Home Ikat pillow collection
Now you can bring the runway home this holiday season. One of Canada’s leading fashion designers, Lucian Matis, brings his home décor collection, Lucian Matis Home, to the Shops of Don Mills at 32 Karl Fraser Road. And it’s open from now until January 5, 2014.
The Lucian Matis Home Collection includes decorative pillows, throws, beddin , storage solutions, rugs, table linens and candles. There are discounts of up to 50% off.
“Designed with an industrial feel, all the items in the Lucian Matis Home collection work well together, are gender neutral and mix and match to enhance any décor,” says Lucian Matis.
The hand-crafted pillows add a touch of elegance with unique designs including exotic woven patterns, patchwork, solids, geometric and animal print.
“We’re excited to have the Lucian Matis Home Pop-Up Shop at Shops at Don Mills for the holiday season,” says Lauren Genz, Marketing Manager, Shops at Don Mills. “The store features many unique décor items that are the perfect addition to any home or if you are looking for the prefect party outfit, Lucian Matis’ collections are sophisticated and sensual with the perfect blend of glamour, guaranteed to make a statement and turn heads.”
Holiday Hours for Lucian Matis Home at Shops at Don Mills: Regular Pop-up Shop hours
Monday to Friday 10:00am – 9:00pm
Saturdays 9:30am – 9:00pm
Sundays 11:00am – 7:00pm
Special holiday Hours
Tuesday, December 24 8:30am – 5:00pm
Wednesday, December 25 CLOSED
Thursday, December 26 9:00am – 8:00pm
Friday, December 27 10:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday, December 28 9:30am – 9:00pm
Sunday, December 29 11:00am – 7:00pm
Monday, December 30 10:00am – 9:00pm
Tuesday, December 31 9:30am – 5:00pm
Wednesday, January 1 CLOSED
Thursday, January 2 Return to Regular Hours until January 5th
