Now that’s an evening: talented chefs, tantalizing food and all for a worthy cause…

By on January 19, 2014

Walking through the labyrinth like maze at Ashbury College, I couldn’t help but to be a bit anxious as I was making my way towards the hall where the Red and White Gala was about to commence. Anxious with anticipation as to what the evening would have in store for me and my hungry and impatient appetite. Attendees of the Red and White Gala were all there for the same reason, to enjoy an evening of spectacular food showcased and demoed by two of Ottawa’s leading chefs: Norm Aitken of Juniper Kitchen and Wine Bar and Michael Blackie of NEXT. 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.

 
Prior to the main event commencing, guests could mingle and enjoy the various breweries and wineries that were in attendance (Barley Days Brewery, Kichesippi Beer, Beau’s All Natural Brewing  Big Rig BreweryRosehall Run, Domaine Perrault, Three Dog Wine, Smokey Ridge Vineyard, and The Grange. Now with all those options of poisons one had no choice but to indulge in the food samplings that were also on display…a tease of sorts before the main act was to take stage. Gourmet jams from michaelsdolce, various olive oils from Unrefined Olive and being completely biased since we all know how much I love my meat…a cornucopia of meats provided by Seed to Sausage.
Meat temptations from Seed to Sausage
And now to the main act…the cooking demo collaboration with Norm Aitken and Michael Blackie. Sharing the stage, the chefs had fun with the audience demonstrating how to recreate their 3 course meal that we were all about to enjoy. Humor and interesting food facts alongside with some more twisted kitchen humor were all part of their stage schtick…and the audience wolfed it all down just like they did to their food!
Michael Blackie from NEXT, Derick Fage host of Daytime Ottawa
and Norm Aitken from Juniper Kitchen and Wine Bar
First Course: Lobster Bisque, Chèvre hush puppy
Chive and roast garlic butter bobber
Second Course: Hot flaked smoked salmon, spiced honey pecans
curled endive + red radish shredder, lemon horseradish splash
Third Course: Maple tellicherry peppercorn braised beef short rib
crispy kale | acidulated carrot, chickpea caper sage polenta

And for those that saved some room for dessert, guests could indulge in the cute and light as a feather mini cupcakes that were generously provided by Lynne Frappier from the The Twisted Chef. During this time guests and their very generous wallets took part in the live auction that truly demonstrated the generosity that the Ottawa people have when it comes to helping out a great cause.

Ending the evening on a sweet note, mini cupcakes were generously
supplied by Lynne Frappier 
Already looking forward to next year’s event!
FT

Sophistication, opulent decor, and beautiful luxury desserts - this is @delyseesottawa 🍰🍮
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Read The Food Tease column in the Spring/Summer issue of @luxeottawamagazine on how Delysees's Creative Director, Fred Naggar, successfully left awe-inspiring footprints in the fashion world to embark on a new adventure with his wife - the world of high-end desserts.😋🍰😍
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Sweets for the sweets... Enjoy!
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#foodblogger #foodporn #travelblogger #dessert #dessertsofinstagram #luxury #luxurydesserts #delysees #creativedirector #parisienne #frenchsweets #frenchdesserts #published #thefoodteaseeats #ifwtwa1 #travelmediaca #tmac
Happy Easter, everyone!!🐣 🐰
Enjoying my family's Easter tradition of our colourful egg fight...I didn't win, but there's always next year 😉
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#foodblogger #travelblogger #foodporn #easter #eastereggs #easterdecor #familytradition #annualtradition #europeanstyle #potofgold #familytime #thefoodteaseeats #thefoodteasetravel
Friday night, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 Canadian Culinary Championships - Mystery Wine Challenge - People's Choice Award🥇🥇@greatkitchenparty
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Congratulations to all the chefs involved in this intense competition. The chefs needed to create a dish to pair with the mystery wine. Each chef was given a tricky budget of $550 for the 250 guests. I was witnessing creativity at its best!!😋
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The winning dish🥇 (centered in the middle of the photo) was created by JP Dublado: Red Deer Resort and Casino, Red Deer AB
Dish: beet & soy cured albacore tuna - ponzu gel - tomato water - puffed wild rice - beet green oil
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Amazing talent from all the chefs as they paired with the mystery wine (a 2021 Lailey Vineyard Zweigelt)🍷🍷
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#foodblogger ##foodgram #foodcompetition #travelblogger #CCC2024 #greatkitchenparty #peopleschoice #peopleschoiceawards #underpressure #foodandwine #underbudget #onbudget #culinarycompetition #thefoodteasedrinks #thefoodteaseeats #ifwtwa1 #tmac
Planning for your BIG wedding day💍 and looking for something different than the traditional bachelorette party? 🎉🎉
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Then you need to read my solo Montreal getaway article featured in the latest issue of @ottawawedding magazine.
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Special thanks to @montreal for the beautiful experiences.
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Amongst the amazing activities:
● High Tea at the Ritz-Carlton 🍾🥂
● Pampering at the Scandinave Spa 💆🏼‍♀️and at Le Germain Hotel 
● Visiting the beautiful light show at the Botanical Gardens ⚘️✨️
● Culinary experiences at the Foxy restaurant and discovering local restaurants during a food tour😋😋
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Solo getaway or with a friend or two, any reason to visit and experience Montréal is a good one!! 😍🤗
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With its countless cultural activities and experiences, one can easily enjoy this beautiful city! And let's not forget their food scene... that alone is reason enough to visit!!😍😋
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I think it's time for you to discover, and for some, REDISCOVER Montreal! 🤩🤩
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#travelblogger #foodblogger #travelgram
#mtlmoments #mtl #mtlfoodies #published #presstrip #passportready
#alwaysexploring #travellikealocal #localbusiness #ifwtwa1 #tmactravel #thefoodteasetravel #exploremontreal #touristattractions #solo #solotravel
I am very proud to share my culinary "observer" perspective regarding @lecordonbleuottawa culinary workshops in the latest issue of @luxeottawamagazine 😊
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Visiting my alma mater and watching the culinary workshop from a different lens reinforced the rationale as to why I pursued my culinary education…the pleasure of savouring the fruits of your labour. 😋
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It is this journey that ignited my passion for cooking, helped hone my skills, and introduced me to a world of flavours and techniques that continue to inspire me to this day. And perhaps it will inspire you as well!👨‍🍳👩🏼‍🍳
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Check out the article and the new culinary workshops being offered. Enjoy the adventure!!😊🤗
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#foodblogger #travelbloggers #foodlovers #foodgram #culinaryinstitute #workshop #lcb #lecordonbleu #lecordonbleuottawa #alwaysexploring #alwayslearning #published #luxemagazine #ifwtwa1 #tmac #tmactravel
Where's my rubber ducky 🐤😉?! 
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A year ago this week, I was enjoying some bath time while in @discoverdominica 🏖🏝😍
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Dominica's lush scenery is extraordinary, and I'm grateful to have been invited to visit their beautiful island😊😊
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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! 🤩
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Dominica's adventure activities - diving, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, swimming - are just some of the many ways to enjoy this tropical island.🤿🙂
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Put Dominica on your travel list. You'll love it!!❤️❤️
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#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!🍾🥂🦞
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This is the definition of indulgence. 😉
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Why wait for special occasions?! Enjoy what makes you happy whenever the mood strikes! 
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Carpe diem!!🍾🥂😍
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#foodblogger #foodlovers #travelbloggers #travelgram #champagne #champagnelover #lobsters #lobsterlover #carpediem #indulgence #anyoccasion #seizetheday #lobsterdinner #splurge #thefoodteasedrinks #thefoodteaseeats #bubbles #more #moreplease #specialoccasions #anyday

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