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The Ultimate Jet Set Experience

Winners of the grand prize raffle

The sixth annual fundraiser Ultimate Jet Set Experience, featured an auction with fabulous trips aboard private jets in support of the Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club. The evening on Nov 7th, 2012 was hosted by Zaib Shaikh, best known for his role in CBC’s Little Mosque on the Prairie.

Zaib Shaikh hosting the Ultimate Jet Set Experience

Zaib Shaikh hosting the Ultimate Jet Set Experience

The young and enthusiastic Dionne Quintyn reflected back on her experience with the Kiwanis Club growing up and how it positively helped her own personal situation.

Dionne Quintyn

Dionne Quintyn

DJ Floh Back provided the musical ambience while Oliver & Bonacini had great gourmet food stations and hors d’oeurves to accompany the reception set up throughout great Arcadian Loft venue.

ABOUT THE TORONTO KIWANIS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

The Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Clubs is a member organization of Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada. Founded in 1936 by the Kiwanis Club of Toronto, the Clubs have been providing a safe place for after-school, evening and school break programs. The Clubs serves 1,100 children and youth in the Regent Park, Cabbagetown and Trinity Bellwoods communities annually.

With a rich 75-year history the Club has helped over 50,000 children discover, develop and achieve their full potential by providing a continuum of after-school programs and services for children and youth between the ages of six to 24. The Club, a United Way member agency, is a leading non-profit provider of programs that support the healthy physical, education and social development of Toronto`s children and youth.

The Club provides children from low-income families with supervised after-school activities centred on literacy and learning; cooking and nutrition; creative arts; physical activity; personal development; career development and leadership training. Sixty-nine percent of the Club’s families earn less than 20 thousand dollars annually.

To learn more, please visit www.believeinkids.ca

Winners of the grand prize raffle draw

Winners of the grand prize raffle draw

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Teddy Bear Affair: The 1920’s in Paris

The dinner setting by Designing Trendz at the Teddy Bear Affair

This year’s annual Teddy Bear Affair had the theme of 1920’s era Paris, France in a decade known by many as “LES ANNÉES FOLLES” or the Roaring Twenties.  The theme drew influences from Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris and the Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgterald. The evening brought over 1,000 of the GTA’s influential and senior executives, co-hosted by Toronto Adriano Belli from the Toronto Argonauts, and Jennifer Hedger, TSN Sportscentre anchor.  It was apparent this was one of the classier galas in Toronto by the attire of the guests dressed to the nines but at the same time it wasn’t too stuck-up, as the guests and the atmosphere encouraged fun.  The decor from our friends at Designing Trendz helped to transport us to the timeframe as well as the French costumes, accordion player and busker-style entertainment. It was one of the best decorated galas we’ve been to at the Metro Convention Centre.

There were many activities to enjoy such as one-on-one handwriting analysis, aura reading, a large silent auction and also a really great live auction.  The “Tiffany Bear” raffle tickets came in the form of cuddly Tiffany & Co branded teddy bears that came with the purchase of a raffle ticket. It was great to see philanthropists picking up bundles of the teddy bears!

Great moments from the Teddy Bear Affair for Children’s Aid Foundation performances by The Dance Company, and especially the performance by Juno award winners, Glass Tiger.  That’s right – the one and only Canadian rock band right from Newmarket Ontario you remember from the ’80’s!  As soon as they got on stage, guests young and old flocked to the dance floor and had a great time.  Best of all, over $1 million was raised for Children’s Aid Foundation!

ABOUT CHILDREN’S AID FOUNDATION

The Children’s Aid Foundation is a national organization committed to improving the lives of abused, neglected and at risk children and youth through prevention, enrichment and education.

As a registered charity, we raise funds to implement programs across the country that give disadvantaged children and youth the skills and support they need to reach their full potential.

To learn more visit http://www.cafdn.org

A lucky raffle prize winner winning the grand prize from Tiffany & Co given by Adriano Bell from the Toronto Argonauts and Jennifer Hedger, TSN Sportscentre anchor

A lucky raffle prize winner winning the grand prize of a Tiffany & Co Platinum and Diamond Victoria Bracelet valued at $18,645

Alan Frew, Glass Tiger performing at Teddy Bear Affair

Alan Frew of Glass Tiger performing at Teddy Bear Affair

Alan Frew, Glass Tiger performing at the Teddy Bear Affair

Alan Frew, Glass Tiger performing at the Teddy Bear Affair


Loving the Tiffany teddy bear!

As fun as the evening was, most importantly we must remember that Teddy Bear Affair raises funds to improve the lives of disadvantaged kids across Canada. Watch Children’s Aid Foundation’s video “Support and Hope”.

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Nov 20th: Participate in a Culinary Throwdown for Future Sinai

Culinary Throwdown for Future Sinai
  • November 15, 2012
  • Events, food
  • Comments Off on Nov 20th: Participate in a Culinary Throwdown for Future Sinai

Get your tickets for the Future Sinai Culinary throwdown! Purchase tickets by via PayPal, or contact Melissa Campisi at 416-586-4800 ext. 4681. Get more details by clicking on the poster below!

Culinary Throwdown for Future Sinai

Culinary Throwdown for Future Sinai

Cookie Battle with Chuck Hughes, Chef’s Challenge Pre-Event #3

Chuck Hughes takes a bite of the winning cookie!
  • November 13, 2012
  • Events, food
  • Comments Off on Cookie Battle with Chuck Hughes, Chef’s Challenge Pre-Event #3


Aspiring chefs baked their very best cookies and brought them out to be judged by celebrity chef Chuck Hughes at Cookie Battle, as a pre-event leading up to the big “Chef’s Challenge for a Cure” event on December 1st.

The evening started with the charismatic Chuck Hughes signing autographs for guests with his new book, Garder Manger, at the SubZero and Wolf showroom. Chuck was so approachable, graciously allowing anyone to interrupt and take pictures with him. It was non-stop for the poor guy!

Chuck Hughes signing autographs

Chuck Hughes signing autographs

Dozens and dozens of sweet (some savoury) and delicious cookies of all kinds were brought in. We heard there were going to be about 20 cookie-contestants but it seemed more like 30 … fine by us! With so many great cookies to try, I think everyone was in some much-needed milk! But wine was just fine by us!

Watch this video clip about what to expect in the upcoming Chef’s Challenge. He reminds everyone that Chef’s Challenge will not only be fun, but don’t forget that the competition will also be fierce. It was especially entertaining when he talked about last year’s winner, Mark McEwan, and also David Rocco.

After the speech, Chuck was ready to get down to Cookie Battle!

The top 10 cookies at Cookie Battle

The top 10 cookies at Cookie Battle

Chuck Hughes judging the top 10 cookies at Cookie Battle

Chuck Hughes judging the top 10 cookies at Cookie Battle

Chuck was asked to narrow it down to the top 3 but he had a tough time with shortlisting 3rd and 4th place so it was decided he would choose the top 4.

Chuck Hughes with the final four contestants at Cookie Battle for Chef's Challenge

Chuck Hughes with the final four contestants at Cookie Battle for Chef’s Challenge

All the cookies were great but in the end there was no surprise. Congrats to Amy Taylor (@greeneyesgeisha) for the win with her amazingly delicious “Coffee Lover Chocolate Macchiatto Shortbreads” who had already pretty much won in terms of best presentation. We were lucky enough to try one of these and it just melted in your mouth and many guests said was like drinking an espresso. Congrats and we hope she makes more of these delicious bites!

Coffee Lover Chocolate Machiatto Shortbreads by Amy Taylor

Coffee Lover Chocolate Machiatto Shortbreads by Amy Taylor

Chuck Hughes takes a bite of the winning cookie with Amy Taylor

Chuck Hughes takes a bite of the winning cookie with Amy Taylor

Also check out what happened at the first and second Chef Challenge pre-events.

If you haven’t already, there’s still time for you to register for the main event on December 1st!



About Chef’s Challenge

A remarkable kitchen stadium sets the tone for a true culinary mêlée as celebrity chefs lead fundraisers into the epicurean battle of their lives, all for the opportunity to oust Mark McEwan, who led his team to victory in 2011.

To attend this exclusive culinary fundraising event, participants must raise a minimum of $2,500 to watch the battle unfold. Guy Fieri will craft a five-course epicurean dinner—but keep your keen culinary skills handy throughout the meal—members of the audience will be called upon to complete tableside challenges for Guy!

The top 50 fundraisers earn the privilege to test their culinary talent live on stage alongside their team and celebrity chef, all while under the watchful eye of Guy Fieri.

chefschallengeforacure.com

facebook.com/ChefsChallengeCanada

twitter.com/ChefsChallenge

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Skyfall Advanced Screening After Party for Dignitas Intl

Some very lucky philanthropists got to watch the latest (and many say the best) James Bond movie, Skyfall, three days in advance for a charity screening in support of Dignitas International. Guests in attendance at the Spoke Club reception following the highly-anticipated movie included famous Canadian author, Margaret Atwood, Arlene Dickinson from the CBC’s Dragon’s Den, and MTV news anchor, Aliya Jasmine Sovani. The host of the evening was Zaib Shaikh, best known for his role in CBC’s Little Mosque on the Prairie.

Zaib Shaikh

Zaib Shaikh

Center: Aliya Jasmine Sovani

Center: Aliya Jasmine Sovani

Arlene Dickinson

Arlene Dickinson

Right: Tatiana Read, Director of Knot PR

Right: Tatiana Read, Director of Knot PR

DJ Floh Back

DJ Floh Back

Classic Bond Martinis (shaken not stirred)

Classic Bond Martinis (shaken not stirred)

Also, be sure to check out our coverage of the James Bond opening party celebrating 50 years of Bond Style with a brand new exhibition at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

ABOUT DIGNITAS INTERNATIONAL

Dignitas International is a leading medical humanitarian organization developing solutions for global health. Committed to innovation, we work in partnership with patients, health workers, researchers, and policymaker to expand health care in resource-limited communities. Combining frontline expertise and rigorous research, Dignitas saves lives by increasing access to care, strengthening health systems and shaping health policy and practice.

For more information visit www.dignitasinternational.org/

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