Cook 4 New Lives Gala and Culinary Battle

Today is Mother's Day and it's a fitting time to talk about a Charity Gala that I attended this week that supports the Massey Centre an organization that helps young mother's in need with different programs that allow them to continue their education and get the support they need to take care of themselves and their baby.  The #COOK4NEWLIVES Gala is also an opportunity for student chefs to pair with Professional Chefs in a competition that is voted on by well known food industry judges.  

Chef John Higgins | Director George Brown Chef School

Sara Lynn Cauchon | Creator, The Domestic Geek

Sebastian Centner | Eatertainment

Hosted by Big Brother Host Arisa Cox

Entertainment provided by AMBER

Akua Asabea Blair welcomed the guest to the Gala and introduced everyone to the work of the Massey Centre and one of the former members Jalisa Orr took the stage to tell everyone her story of getting pregnant at 16 and how it impacted her life and how the Massey Centre was able to help her change direction in her life.

The While the Students and their mentors were busy preparing the food in George Brown College's kitchens the Gala guests were sampling pizza from Pizza Nova, Shrimp Banh Mi Toasts by Hello Fresh, mini cupcakes from Don't call me a cupcake and tortilla chips and salsa from the Neal Brothers and beverages from Social Lite and Muskoka Brewery and Coca Cola Ltd.

They also had a really fun Photo Booth by Picture Photo Booth, set up with the most fun props I have seen in a while.

Then it was time for the Competition.  The teams brought out their dishes and everyone rushed to sample each of the 4 dishes.

The WINNING TEAM was:

Jessica Martineau | Oliver & Bonacini, Canteen with Andrea Cosalan GBC student

with their Steamed Puto, Pork Sausage with Ramp Puree

Suzanne Barr | Saturday Dinette  with Nao Akutagawa GBC student prepared:
Jerk Chicken, Buckwheat Ramen, Roasted Tomatoes

Amber Farrell | The Flock & formerly of Ceili Cottage with Saili Naiowade GBC student

Veggie Sliders

Tara Lee | Eastbound Brewing Company with Eungi Moon GBC student

Smoked Chicken Soup

This event wasn't just a cooking competition but it was also a Fundraising Gala to not only raise funds but awareness of the great work that the Massey Centre does.

There was a silent auction set up with some many amazing baskets and items like Hockey Jerseys and all kinds of great things.

Congratulations to everyone for the hard work putting this event together and all the hard work in helping young mothers achieve their dreams.

For more information about the Massey Centre and to Sponsor, donate, volunteer or whatever else you may be able to assist with contact them through their website:  http://www.massey.ca/contact-us/

Disclaimer:  The gala ticket was complimentary but the opinions and photos are my own.

9th Annual Chocolate Ball Gala a chocoholic's heaven

The 9th Annual Chocolate Ball was held at the Eglinton Grande Event Hall this past week on a night that saw a crazy rain storm that flooded the streets of Toronto again.  The timing of the start of the event  happened at the same time as the storm decided to go crazy leaving attendees of the gala to run like crazy to get into the event or to find a creative way of getting there around the flooded streets that were close to the venue.  But there were quiet a few including myself that made it out to the event for a night of Chocolate.  The theme of the event was TROPIC COCOA: A salute to movies, music and dance of the Tropics.

The Chocolate Ball is a Charity Event that benefits Prostate and Breast Cancer Initiatives.
The organizer is also responsible for the upcoming Luxury Chocolate Show at Roy Thompson Hall.

The Chocolate Ball is more of a Celebration of Chocolate and an over the top party complete with Hula  girls, photo booth, casino tables, caricatures and a silent auction.   Lots to see and be entertained by at this Gala and then there is the Chocolate.  Imagine tables around the room covered in all things chocolate.  I would have liked to see a few more savoury chocolate dishes but there were a couple of different kinds of tacos, some chocolate Ribs and a couscous salad I think.  I didn't try that one but I tried the Tacos and the Ribs which were delicious.   And then there was the rest of the room full of cakes, crepes, tarts, chocolates, candies, and anything that you could think of that was made of chocolate.  I tried as much as I could but you can only eat so much chocolate at one time before you go into a chocolate coma.   Some of the vendors that were there were Earl's Kitchen and Bar, Penthouse Catering, Crepe a Go Go, Personal Chef Solutions and Rasool's Charbroiled on the Savoury side and La Rocca Creative Cakes, Giddy Yoyo, Chocostyle, Xocai, M Thompson Chocolates to name a few.

The organizers did a great job of making the event fun and interactive and people were encouraged to hop on the dance floor and learn how to shake their hips with the Hula dancers.   A couple of the chefs got into the act even.

Here are a few photos I took at the event.  The lighting wasn't great for food pics but it was designed to make the room sparkle.