GALA REVIEW
DRAGON BALL 2014 CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY
AT METRO CONVENTION CENTRE
On Saturday, January 25th, over 1,000 guests, including business and community leaders, and local politicians and celebrities, celebrated the Chinese New Year at THE YEE HONG DRAGON BALL, one of the largest and most glamorous charity events held in Toronto every year.
The event was hosted by the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation and was a celebration of 25 years of contributions to the welfare of senior citizens in The GTA, and a dazzling gathering to usher in the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Horse. Over the last 25 years, the Dragon Ball has raised over $25 million for geriatric care, services and programs for the senior residents of four Yee Hong centres in The GTA.
Over 30 caterers ensured the crowd were well fed at the pre-dinner Reception. There was an abundance of delicious food at food stations including: crispy pork, dim sum, sushi and sashimi, hand rolls, mountains of oysters and other delectable hors d’oeuvres.
Known for its unique culinary experience, this year’s Dragon Ball dinner menu was specially designed by Hong Kong’s “Demon Chef” – and Toronto resident –Alvin Leung who was recently crowned a Michelin 3-Star Chef. Chef Leung also demonstrated his “X-treme” cuisine at the pre-dinner reception. He wowed the crowds by mixing ice cream and liquid nitrogen with well-known Chinese liquors such as Moutai and “Rose Dew”.
At the entrance, a room was dedicated to a silent auction. We were lured in by a painting of Jimi Hendrix and a custom electric guitar. There was table after table of interesting items to bid on. Something for everyone as they say, for example: large Chinese brush paintings, fine wine and liquors, quintessentially Canadian hockey memorabilia including several signed jerseys, vacation packages, handbags, luggage and some beautiful women’s jewellery.
The Royal Canadian Navy provided entertainment as the growing crowd enjoyed the many food stations and mini bars which encouraged guests to eat, drink and mingle.
The Dragon Ball is one of North America’s largest annual Chinese New Year celebrations and a signature fundraising event which has raised millions of dollars in support of the exceptional work of the Foundation, supporting over 15,000 families in the community. http://www.yeehong.com/centre/
Please plan on putting next year’s Annual Dragon Ball on your calendar and supporting the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care. http://www.yeehongdragonball.org/
Photo and Review by Jacqueline Kyrion
