Great food, delicious drinks and generous funds raised at this year’s Red & White Gala!

By on February 26, 2015

Chef Michael Blackie and Chef Mark Gray

For the second year in a row I had the pleasure of attending this year’s Red and White Gala hosted by Harmony House. This annual food fundraiser event was created to raise awareness and just as important, to raise funds for the women’s shelter Harmony House – Ottawa’s only second-stage women’s shelter that provides affordable transitional housing for women and children who are survivors of violence.

Harmony House outdid themselves as this year they were able to combine the culinary forces of Michael Blackie of NEXT and Mark Gray of Brooklyn Warehouse in Halifax, NS. The two chefs demoed their dishes to the eager attendees and provided enjoyable entertainment which in turn raised significant funds for the cause!

Seed to Sausage assorted sampling went perfect with my glass from Three Dog Winery

Before the main event started, guests had the opportunity to peruse and place their bets on the assorted products and services being offered for the silent auction. Many products came from the various breweries and wineries that were in attendance (Kichesippi BeerBeau’s All Natural BrewingRosehall RunDomaine PerraultThree Dog Wineand Beyond The Pale to name just a few. With all these breweries and wineries offering their goods, one could only expect that there would also be some tasty treats to accompany them…and that there were. Gourmet jams from michaelsdolce went perfect with some of the wine samples being offered. And the perfect accompaniment to beer…well we had the tried and true crowd pleaser (yes, I am very much biased, especially when it comes to my love affair of meat) a cornucopia of meats provided by Seed to Sausage.

CBC’s Lucy Van Oldenbarneveld emceed the evening and gave full reign to the two chefs when it was time for their multi-course dinner demo.

The menu for the evening:
First course:
Bacon and corn chowder
pearl tapioca floaties (sorry, no picture was taken…consumed too fast!!)
Second course:
Capture1

Roasted beet & hominy tostada Cilantro and jalapeno chimi churri pineapple & napa

Meat course

Capture2

Pulled lamb shank Chèvre and sage B&B pudding make it rain sauce

Temptation course

Capture

Sticky pecan, brown sugar roll-up roasted marshmallow

Part of the evening’s auction was the infamous Chef’s dinner experience. But this wasn’t your run of the mill Chef’s dinner…this one was for the books! Included in this culinary extravaganza was dinner for ten people with the culinary skills of Chef Michael Blackie, Chef Norm Aitken (who was in attendance and generously offered his services) as well as Chef Mark Gray, who will also be part of this great event and will be bringing with him some fresh Nova Scotia seafood! And if that wasn’t enough, Seed to Sausage jumped in and offered their products to be included in the evening. As for libations: wine from Domaine Perrault and Three Dog Winery and beer from Kichesippi Beer and Beyond The Pale  – all chimed in for this great cause! The Chef’s dinner was a hit with the crowd and sold for a staggering $2,800…not once but twice!! Once the highest bidder was declared, another generous guest asked for the same service and was willing to pay the same amount. Now that’s a win win situation for everyone involved!

Chef Michael Blackie and Chef Mark Gray serving attendees their multi-course dinner

What an event and what an evening! As far as I am concerned, it was a complete success for guests like myself as well as for Harmony House.

Till next year,

Where's my rubber ducky 🐤😉?! 
.
A year ago this week, I was enjoying some bath time while in @discoverdominica 🏖🏝😍
.
Dominica's lush scenery is extraordinary, and I'm grateful to have been invited to visit their beautiful island😊😊
.
Visiting Wotten Waven Sulphur Springs was perfect to relax and rid of some unwanted stress. And the outdoor bath surrounded by all that green landscape was simply the BEST! An unforgettable experience! 🤩
.
Dominica's adventure activities - diving, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, swimming - are just some of the many ways to enjoy this tropical island.🤿🙂
.
Put Dominica on your travel list. You'll love it!!❤️❤️
.
#foodblogger #travelgram #travelblogger #passportready #presstrip #discoverdominica #dominica #sulphursprings #lush #bubblebath #outdoorbath #newdestination #newexperiences #tmactravel #ifwtwa1 #thefoodteasetravel #tmac #tropical #zen #wottenwavenhotsprings
What goes better together than Champagne and lobster?! Nothing, except MORE Champagne...hence the magnum of Veuve!🍾🥂🦞
.
This is the definition of indulgence. 😉
.
Why wait for special occasions?! Enjoy what makes you happy whenever the mood strikes! 
.
Carpe diem!!🍾🥂😍
.
#foodblogger #foodlovers #travelbloggers #travelgram #champagne #champagnelover #lobsters #lobsterlover #carpediem #indulgence #anyoccasion #seizetheday #lobsterdinner #splurge #thefoodteasedrinks #thefoodteaseeats #bubbles #more #moreplease #specialoccasions #anyday
Tapas, tapas, and more delicious tapas!!😍😋
.
When in Kingston, Ontario food lovers should make it a MUST to have some delicious and over-the-top tapas at Tango Neuvo. 
.
Everything from the tuna poke nachos, scallops, ceviche, potatoes, poke belly to their insanely tasty lamb tacos - EVERYTHING WAS A HIT!!
.
This is what summer indulgence is all about!! Check it out!!😋😍
.
#foodblogger #travelblogger #visitkingston #kingstonontario  #tapas #tapasbar #kingstonrestaurants #ontarioyourstodiscover #summereats #newdiscoveries #diningout #wantmore #thefoodteaseeats #thefoodteasetravel
@discoverdominica was incredible, and I am happy to share with you some of my adventures in the latest issue of @ottawawedding.
.
Experience limitless adventures  unforgettable beauty, thanks to lush rainforests, breathtaking waterfalls, and volcanic peaks. 🏝 🏞 
.
In addition to other exciting activities, I had loads of fun snorkeling with @wanderlustcaribbean and with @mrweskayak from @soufriereoutdoorcentre 🤿🐠🪼🪸🐚 
.
And the pampering services in Dominica are beyond NEXT level!! 💆🏼‍♀️😍
.
Special thanks to @junglebaydominica
@wanderlustcaribbean and
@coulibri_ridge for their exceptional hospitality!!🥇🥇
.
Dominica, the Nature Island that leaves you wanting more, couldn't be more true.
.
#travelblogger #travelwriter #dominica #discoverdominica #presstrip #published #honeymoondestination #pampering #pamperingtime #thenatureisland #junglebaydominica #wanderlustcaribbean #coulibriridge #5star #luxelife #luxurytravel #weddingdestination #lovemyjob #tmactravel #tmac #ifwtwa1
Who doesn't love fireworks?! 🎆 🎇 
With a view like this, im completely on board😍😍
.
Year after year, @grandsfeuxducasino puts on an incredible show, where various countries compete in the juried pyromusical show.
On this particular evening, I happen to be at the right place to watch Italy perform their magic!✨️🎆
.
What more could you ask for when you have breathtaking fireworks displayed in the backdrop of the stunning @natgallerycan as it illuminates the night sky? And let's not forget to mention Ottawa's famous spider sculpture, which adds that extra something to any photo. 🕷🕸
.
Here's to enjoying more summer evenings! 
.
#foodblogger #travelblogger #travelgrams #ifwtwa1 #tmactravel #tmac #fireworks #lesgrandsfeuxducasinodulacleamy #fireworkcompetition #italy #rightplacerighttime #summerevening #ottawaphoto
After several years (and many obstacles), I am happy to share that my East Asia adventure to Hong Kong and Taiwan was recently published in the @fwtmagazine
.
Special thanks to Discover Hong Kong Tour Taiwan - TTB America and Hong Kong Airlines 香港航空 for this incredible experience, filled with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and lasting memories.😊
.
I relished every moment: ✅️ Hong Kong's endless and impressive skyscrapers 
✅️ The majestical Tian Tian bronze Buddha in the mountains (walking up the endless stairs to see the Buddha upclose was worth it)
✅️ The famous Shilin Night Market, the largest and most famous night market in Taiwan 😋😋
✅️ Learning survival skills from their renowned Cidal Hunter School in the mountains
✅️ And so much more!!
= This adventure can only be described as EPIC‼️
.
I'm looking forward to the next chapter!!🌏✈️
.
#foodblogger
#travelblogger
#published
#travelwriter #fwt #ifwtwa1 #taiwan #taiwanfood #nightmarket #hongkong #hongkongfood #hongkongairlines #epic #passportready #lovemyjob #foodwriter #thefoodteasetravel #tmac #asia #discoverasia #gratefulfortheopportunity

Follow Us On Instagram