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:
Sodexo Canada, Reg 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
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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
Sotto Sotto Trattoria, Marisa Rocca + Massimo Renzi
Cantine Restaurant, Klaus Rohrich
Pangaea Restaurant, Martin Kouprie
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
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
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.
Review Report and Photos by Joey Cee
Additional Photos Courtesy of Second Harvest
