Comments Off on Win tickets to one of the best charity galas: Scrubs in the City’s Block Party in support of Sick Kids
Many events happen at the beautiful Evergreen Brick Works but none have pulled it off as well as SickKids “Scrubs in the City” in terms of grand decor, great food, amazing drink selection and overall fun factor. The evening promises to be full of surprises including live musical and dance performances, a dance party with DJ Danny Floh Back, a premier photo wall and an amazing silent auction and raffle you won’t want to miss. So now is your chance to attend by winning a pair of tickets valued at $350. Contest closes on June 3, 2013.
Best of all it’s for a great cause! All proceeds from Scrubs in the City will support the ‘new kid on the block’, The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, a new world-class tower that will rock the Discovery District at Bay and Elm street and change the game in children’s health. To date the Scrubs in the City events have raised more than $2 million for SickKids.
Scrubs in the City presents BLOCK PARTY
June 6, 2013
Evergreen Brick Works
You can also be a good Samaritan and purchase tickets at $175 each. For more information about the event including ticket purchases, please visit skscrubs.com
Good luck and hope to see you all there!
-Nick
About Scrubs in the City
In its 12th year, Scrubs in the City draws some of the city’s most influential movers and shakers to a fabulous night out. Scrubs in the City Presents BLOCK PARTY will take place at the Evergreen Brick Works on Thursday, June 6, 2013. The event has raised more than $2 million to date in support of some of the most critical needs at SickKids. This year, neighborhoods will unite in the open air and help support Toronto’s newest member to the community – The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning.
Helping Build a New Icon for the Community
Final stages of construction are underway for the 21-storey, 750,000 square ft., world-class facility scheduled to open September 2013 – and we need your help to make it happen. The tower will bring together over 2,000 SickKids scientists, trainees and child health research staff. The state-of-the-art laboratory and learning facilities will encourage research collaboration among scientific and clinical perspectives to accelerate discoveries and foster new knowledge. The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning will be an international game changer for child health.
Last year’s Scrubs in the City: Secret Garden at Evergreen Brick Works
Comments Off on Daily Bread’s Ultimate Food Challenge
Suman Roy, Melissa Grelo, Leslie Roberts, Jason Parsons
The Daily Bread Food Bank hosted their second annual “Ultimate Food Challenge” featuring a culinary competition with 3 chefs: Devan Rajkumar of The Food Dudes, Alexandra Feswick of The Samuel J Moore at The Great Hall and Jason Parsons of Peller Estates Winery. The event brought 250 food loving philanthropists out to the gorgeous Corus Quay on the waterfront who got to sample wine from Peller Estates, beer from Beau’s and, of course, try some great food. My favourite was the ceviche with popped corn and pickled pablano pepper made by Daily Bread’s own Catering Kitchen. It got nabbed up quickly.
The main host for the evening was Howard Glassman (aka Humble from the Humble & Fred radio show) who provided his sense of humour like when he joked about the credibility of the celebrity judges in judging food. Basically only Chef Suman Roy from CP 24 had food credentials to his name, winning a Gourmand Cookbook Food Award in 2010. But it’s all for a good cause anyway! Suman Roy is also the Executive Chef of Campbell’s Canada. Josie Dye (102.1 The Edge) and Preet Banerjee (Oprah Winfrey Network Canada’s Million Dollar Neighbourhood) were also hosts.
On the judging panel we had Arlene Dickinson (star of CBC’s Dragon’s Den fame and also The Big Decision), Melissa Grelo, Suman Roy (Co-host of CP24 Breakfast and News Anchor), Leslie Roberts (Global TV news anchor), Erin Davis (Co-host 98.1 CHFI’s Morning Show).
The challenge given to the chefs was to use ingredients commonly found in a food hamper box including canned food. Each chef had 30 minutes to complete a dish that was judged on originality/creativity, presentation, texture, and taste. Devan Rajkumar was awarded the most votes by the audience to win the Fan Favourite award with his vegetarian slider consisting of pita bread, cheese and canned pineapple. But it was Alexandra Feswick who won over the judges with her Western Falafel using chick peas, spiced yogurt and lentils.
The Daily Bread winning dish of the Ultimate Food Challenge: Western Falafel with chick peas, spiced yogurt and lentils made by Alexandra Feswick of The Samuel J Moore (at The Great Hall)
Alexandra Feswick
Live auction items included
Two night stay for two at Arowhon Pines Resort in Algonquin Park (value $1,000)
Westin Hotels Signature Heavenly Queen-Sized Bed provided by Simmons Hospitality Bedding
The event raised $90,000 to support Daily Bread’s food bank to serve low-income children and adults at more than 100 community agencies in neighbourhoods all across Toronto.
— Fat Girl Food Squad (@FatGrlFoodSquad) May 9, 2013
The Daily Bread winning dish of the Ultimate Food Challenge: Western Falafel with chick peas, spiced yogurt and lentils made by Alexandra Feswick of The Samuel J Moore (at The Great Hall)
Parmesan tuile cone stuffed with calabrese salad
Alexandra Feswick
Alexandra Feswick receiving the award
Alexandra Feswick
Leslie Roberts, Ann Davis, Suman Roy, Melissa Grelo
Comments Off on Photos from the Right to Play Ball Charity Gala
Glen Baxter
The 2nd annual Right to Play Charity Ball brought in a ton of celebrities in support of “Right to Play”, dubbed one of Canada’s fastest growing international humanitarian organizations. The Right to Play Ball was founded by Glen Baxter, fashion television journalist, host of CTV’s In Fashion, and just an all-round nice guy. It was an incredible success at last year’s gala where $80,000 was raised for the Right to Play charity.
Any event at the Shangri-La Hotel is great and this charity gala was definitely no exception. Featuring music by DJ Tony Okungbowa from the Ellen Degeneres Show and DJ Jojo Flores and Lapelle Music. It was raining that evening so it was nice that the large terrace was covered with a tent and swanky outdoor furniture.
Guests enjoyed hors d’oeurves and drinks by Peroni, Belvedere Vodka, Hennessy, Ardberg whiskey. VIP guests got to enjoy the VIP reception hour and also received a gift card from Mastercard, the official sponsor of the event. Silent auction items included a Hamilton watch valued at $2,200 as well as a 7 night stay in a 2 bedroom villa at Grand Isle Resort in Exhuma, Bahamas ($7,000 value).
It was also Kardinal Offishall’s birthday after midnight, so it was great to be able to wish him happy birthday in person. Cupcakes were passed around to celebrate “Mr. International’s” birthday.
It really turned into a dancing party when DJ Tony Okungbowa got going and then it got even wilder when supermodel Stacy McKenzie got up to dance with him. What an incredible night!
Jen Kirsch, Sabrina Maddeaux
Jen Kirsch, Candice Chan, Natalie Deane
Kardinal Offishall and friends
George Sully, Jeremy Singer, Chrissy Newton, Justin Edmead, Jen Kirsch
Rosie MacLennan, 2012 Olympic Gold medalist for trampoline
Gail McInnes, Ainsley Kerr, Elena Semikina (Miss Universe Canada 2010)
Jen Kirsch, Director X
Kardinal Offishall, Director X
Stacey Mckenzie, DJ Tony Okungbowa
Here’s some notable tweets from the Right to Play Ball
Check out the video to learn more about one of Canada’s fastest growing international humanitarian organization:
ABOUT RIGHT TO PLAY
Is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. It was founded in 2000 by Johann Olav Koss, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur. Through sports and games, we help children build essential life skills and better futures, while driving social change in their communities with lasting impact.
Comments Off on Introducing Osteria dei Ganzi: a new restaurant, lounge for authentic Italian apertivo
r: One of Ganzi’s partners, Dan Gunam
Ganzi’s head chef, Guerrino Staropoli. Imported from Rome.
After 6 months of pent-up demand for a much-needed authentic Italian dining hotspot in the area, renovations were finally completed for the Gooderham family mansion at 504 Jarvis Street. The summer patio, scheduled to open at the end of May, will seat 200 people and will feature music, authentic Italian barbecue and true European cocktails.
Toronto’s well-known Keg mansion is just across the street but Ganzi doesn’t directly compete against it, as they both offer different experiences at different price points.
Ganzi was restored with the help of the Metropolis Living Team preserving the mansion’s original handcrafted wood detail, soaring arches, stain glassed windows and brassed fixtures. Italian themed murals and paintings are done by local Toronto artist Hajar Moradi and her team. Materials from a 170 year old barn were sourced including the bar area’s wall rack and the chandelier is made from the barn’s door tracks.
“Osteria Dei Ganzi is a tribute to Italian wine, food & culture”, says Danny Gunam, Partner, Osteria dei Ganzi. “We’re using DOP certified ingredients imported straight from Italy as well as privately imported regional Italian wines which we are proud to offer by the glass. Ganzi is about creating a uniquely European atmosphere that doesn’t cost a fortune”. The wine list is revolving and flexible featuring a high-end selection of Amarone, Barolo, Brunelo that will constantly change. All the wines on the list will always be available by the glass.
I was lucky to be invited to the intimate preview opening dinner and it was such a treat. I sampled cocktails and especially enjoyed the gin martini with vermouth featuring caper berries (yes, instead of olives), each carefully hand-stuffed with goat cheese using a straw, Ganzi’s mixologist, Joao Machado, tells us. Sipping on this martini while also enjoying the stuffed caper berries was quite a delectably flavourful experience that I can still remember.
Gin Martini. Gin, Dry French vermouth, drowned caper berries each with blue cheese
Our seating at Ganzi (Photo: Photagonist)
During the seated dinner I was lucky to be seated next to one of the Ganzi partners, Danny Gunam. I learned there was a great deal of effort in sourcing just the right location and going through all the details in the renovations, and the importance of sourcing authentic Italian ingredients that are DOP (Denominazione di Orgine Protetta– Denomination of Protected Origin) certified ingredients. All of this to create the authentic Italian experience. And it was also was interesting that being an authentic Italian eating experience, Gunam pointed out that the cuisine must be affordable . In fact, Gunam pointed out that the entire menu is all under $20. This is meant to encourage sharing and allow for repeat, casual visits 2-3 times a week. Guests should feel comfortable to hang out and have a cocktail or two paired with complimentary tapas at the bar and then casually stroll over to the dining area for dinner. Such is the way of the authentic “apertivo” experience true to the Milanese lifestyle.
Notable dishes on the dinner menu that make a revisit worthwhile include swordfish carpaccio for only $15. I definitely look forward to returning for more of the the Italian apertivo experience. Be sure to check it out as well!
Raviolini stuffed with ricotta and spinach, fresh tomato and basil sauce, topped with sauteed asparagus
Osso buco (bone marrow) with black peppercorn cremolata and risotto Milanese
Dessert. Profiterol (beignet) stuffed with Crema Pasticcera and coated with warm chocolate, orange cheesecake mousse on Grand Marnier biscotti, Classic tiramisu
ABOUT OSTERIA DEI GANZI
Osteria Dei Ganzi is a destination eating experience and social hangout offering a uniquely European atmosphere and authentic Italian cuisine. Set in a 120 year old historical mansion, Ganzi’s modern-vintage decor is the perfect backdrop for a quick lunch, an after work Aperitivo (the Milanese answer to “happy hour”) featuring complimentary “Italian Tapas” served alongside refreshing cocktails or a lively dinner with friends. For more information or to make a reservation at Ganzi, please log on to www.ganzi.ca
Ganzi’s head chef, Guerrino Staropoli. Imported from Rome.
Bitters
Carcia and Telly HerCastle
Eggplant parmesean
Raviolini stuffed with ricotta and spinach, fresh tomato and basil sauce, topped with sauteed asparagus
Osso buco (bone marrow) with black peppercorn cremolata and risotto Milanese
Dessert. Profiterol (beignet) stuffed with Crema Pasticcera and coated with warm chocolate, orange cheesecake mousse on Grand Marnier biscotti, Classic tiramisu
(Photo: Photagonist)
(Photo: Photagonist)
Our seating at Ganzi (Photo: Photagonist)
(Photo: Photagonist)
Wood board with DOP imported meats and cheeses (Photo: Photagonist)
(Photo: Photagonist)
(Photo: Photagonist)
Joao Machado, Ganzi’s head mixologist (Photo: Photagonist)
Comments Off on Sarah Stevenson awarded at TFI New Labels 2013
At TFI’s New Labels 2013 award gala which aims to launch the careers of new fashion design entrepreneurs, it came down to four finalists showing their Fall/Winter 2013 collections in a fashion show down in front of a well-attended gathering of 700 fashion media, buyers, and celebrities.
The evening at The Carlu was hosted by Breakfast Television’s Dina Pugliese and other notable guests in attendance included Stacey McKenzie, Sylvia Mantella, Simona Shnaider, Brian Gluckstrein, Gabrielle Miller, Georgina Reilly, Glen Baxter, Anne Marie Mediwake and many more.
The TFI New Labels panel of judges included Arie Assaraf (TNT Boutique), Elisha Ballantyne (Target), David Dixon (fashion designer), John Morioka (Target), Miranda Purves (FLARE editor), Suzanne Rogers (fashion philanthropist).
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
Christopher Paunil
After the fashion shows, the judges took a few moments to come back and announce the winner was Sarah Stevenson.
Sarah Stevenson
It’s a pretty hefty prize as Stevenson gets to take home the grand prize of $25,000 cash donated by Suzanne Rogers. Stevenson also gets to launch an exclusive collection for Target sold across Canada in 2014 and also a full-page editorial feature in FLARE magazine. Congrats to her as the reds, blacks, whites and originally-designed and laser-cut prints really stood out with exotic beauty inspired by Dutch still life paintings from the Baroque period.
“I am so thankful to the Toronto Fashion Incubator for organizing this competition for emerging Canadian design, and for providing myself and my three fellow designers with this incredible opportunity,” said Sarah Stevenson. “The competition was a thrilling experience and I am so excited to work with Target and see what happens next.”
“We were overwhelmed by the talent on the runway last night and are beyond proud of the four finalists who gave it their all,” said Susan Langdon, Executive Director, Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI). “We would like to thank Suzanne Rogers and our amazing event sponsors: Target, P&G Beauty & Grooming, FLARE Magazine, Mantella Corporation and the City of Toronto. It is because of their leadership and support of the TFI that we can organize this competition and nurture Canada’s next generation of design talent year after year.”
Dina Pugliese
Chloe Rogers, Suzanne Rogers, Sarah Stevenson, Dina Pugliese
Chloe Rogers, Suzanne Rogers, Sarah Stevenson
Sarah Stevenson
John Morioka, Suzanne Rogers, Dina Pugliese
Chloe Rogers, Dina Pugliese
Dina Pugliese
Christopher Paunil
Paria Shirvani
Stacey McKenzie (Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
Glenn Dixon (Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
Gabrielle Miller (Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
Photo credit: George Pimentel
Photo credit: George Pimentel
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
Dina Pugliese (Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
Sarah Stevenson (Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
Sarah Stevenson (Photo credit: George Pimentel)
Sarah Stevenson and her models (Photo credit: George Pimentel)
Model, Susan Langdon, Arie Assaraf, Miranda Purves, Sarah Stevenson, Elisha Ballantyne, Suzanne Rogers, David Dixon, John Morioka, Model (Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
Anne Marie Mediwake (Photo credit: George Pimentel)
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
Arie Assaraf, Susan Langdon, John Morioka, Suzanne Rogers, Miranda Purves, David Dixon, Elisha Ballantyne (Photo credit: George Pimentel)
David Dixon, Suzanne Rogers, Arie Assaraf (Photo credit: George Pimentel)
Gabrielle Miller, Stacey McKenzie (Photo credit: George Pimentel)
The Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) is an innovative, award-winning non-profit organization that plays an essential role in the growth and promotion of Canada’s fashion community. TFI helps budding fashion entrepreneurs develop the creative and professional capacity they need to succeed and evolve in the challenging fashion industry. As the world’s first fashion incubator, the TFI has fostered many of Canada’s most celebrated talents for 26 years including David Dixon, Pina Ferlisi, Todd Lynn, Arthur Mendonça and 2012 New Labels winner Sid Neigum.
