IN REVIEW
On Sunday, June 8, 2014, one of the city’s favourite food events, Toronto Taste, took place on Corus Entertainment’s stunning lakeside facility, uniting the city’s top chefs and beverage purveyors for a spectacular evening of delicious fare and refreshing drinks in support of Second Harvest’s food rescue program. This incredible evening raised $690,000 for Second Harvest’s upcoming year, which will provide 1,300,000 meals to people in need in the Greater Toronto Area.
“After a successful 24th season with Toronto Taste, it further emphasizes how much Toronto loves this event and values the service that Second Harvest provides to individuals in need in our city,” says Debra Lawson, Executive Director of Second Harvest. “Toronto Taste truly provided guests with a special evening with incredible food and direct access to some of our city’s top chefs – a unique experience all for charity.”
The weather held out and the supporters turned out in droves to excite their tastebuds, partake in challenges, bid on some great silent auction items and go home with one of the best goody bags I have seen for a while thanks to participating sponsors. That included a potted lettuce to make your salad.
Guests enjoyed mouth-watering dishes prepared by over 70 participating chefs including Mark McEwan and Bob Blumer. The crowd also experienced the excitement of the Toronto Taste Chef Challenge, which was won by the talented Eric Wood, executive chef for The Beverley Hotel.
With the curtain closing on the 24th season of Toronto Taste, Second Harvest is looking forward to another year of maintaining their strong food rescue program and gearing up for their special 25th anniversary year of Toronto Taste in 2015.
PARTICIPATING CHEFS INCLUDED:
- Pearce
- Longos
- Pauline’s Pastries, Robyn Perlmutar
- President’s Choice© black label collection, Tom Filippou
- Caviar Centre Inc., Steve Omidi
- Linda Modern Thai, Wing Li
- The McEwan Group, Mark McEwan
- Fred’s Bread (pair tbd), Andrea Damon Gibson
- Sullivan and Bleeker (no station), Elyse Wahle
- Globe Bistro, Dan Sanders
- Pizzeria Libretto, Tiffany Wong + Carman Mach
- The Belgian Chocolate Shop, Patricia Cohrs
- GranoLucia Martella, Roberto Martella
- Scaramouche/Pasta Bar & Grill, Carolyn Reid (Chef De Cuisine)
- Café Boulud, Tyler Shedden
- Petite ThuetMarc Thuet
- Café Belong at BrickworksBrad Long
- George Brown Chef SchoolJohn Higgins (Director, Corporate Chef)
- Rodney’s Oyster House, Rodrigo De Romana
- Paint Box Bistro, Chris Klugman
- Carbon Bar, David Lee
- Los Colibris, Elia Herrera
- The Chase, Michael Steh
- Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Peter Morris
- Tundra Restaurant, Kevin Prendergast
- Volos, Reza Parsia
- Drake One Fifty, Ted Corrado
- EPIC at Royal York Hotel, Collin Thornton
- Aria, Eron Novalski
- Pangaea Restaurant, Martin Kouprie
- Sodexo Canada, Reg
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- COBS Bread-COBBS, Kimberly Hawkins from foodbenders
- Frank Restaurant, Jeff Dueck
- Sanci’s Tropical Fruit, Sal Borg
- Le Sélect Bistro, Albert Ponzo
- Crush Wine Bar, Trista Sheen
- Cibo Wine BarLiberty Entertainment Group, Saverio Macri
- The Spoke club (VIP Lounge/no station), Ren Mercer
- Buca Osteria & Enoteca, Rob Gentile
- Twist, Roger Mooking
- Harvest Kitchens – YMCA of Greater Toronto, Kelvin Ramjattan
- Nota Bene, David Lee
- Gelato Fresco,Hart Melvin
- ICI Bistro, JP Challet
- Chiado, Manuel Vilela
- Enoteca Sociale, Kris Schlotzhauer
- Woodlot Restaurant and Bakery, David Haman
- Böhmer, Paul Boehmer
- Salt, Dave Kemp
- The Saint Tavern, Jesse Vallins
- Richmond Station, Carl Heinrich
- Against The Grain, Drew Anthony
- Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, Donna Dooher
- Ace Bakery, Erin Marcus
- Cheese Boutique & Delicatessen, Afrim Pristine
- Dufflet Pastries, Dufflet Rosenberg
- Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse
- Sotto Sotto Trattoria, Marisa Rocca + Massimo Renzi
- Cantine Restaurant, Klaus Rohrich
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PARTICIPATING WINERIES INCLUDED:
- Jackson Family Wines
- Creemore Springs Brewery Limited
- Cave Spring Cellars
- Creekside Estate Winery
- MCO…Interesting Wines & Spirits
- Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers
- Konzelmann Estate Winery
- Strewn Winery
- Southbrook Vineyards
- Henry of Pelham Winery
- Corks Beer and Wine Bar (Longo Bros)
- Reunion Island Coffee
- Nyarai Cellars
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- Mill Street Brewery
- Churchill Cellars
- Amsterdam Brewing Company
- Apparition Wines
- The Vine-Rob Groh Agency
- Lifford Wine & Spirits
- Steam Whistle Brewing
- The Tea Emporium
- Woodman Wines & Spirits Inc.
- Patera Group Inc.
- Victoria Gin (Victoria Spirits)
- San Pelligrino – Water Sponsor
- JOIA All Natural Soda – Genesis Marketing Group Inc.
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Review Report and Photos by Joey Cee
Additional Photos Courtesy of Second Harvest
