A poster with the word guadalajara on it.

This Year’s Snowsuit Fund Gala 2015 Will Be Feeling Spain’s Vibrant Passion!

By on October 27, 2015

Spellbinding Spanish guitar music, sultry flamenco dancers and incredible Spanish influenced pintxos, are all part of the vibrant and passionate Spanish themed evening celebrating The Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala!

A Spanish inspired menu prepared and executed by The Fairmont Chateau Laurier’s Executive Chef Louis Simard, is one where it will take guests to a place where they can feel the warmth and passion of Spain. A country known for its vitality, captivating aura and of course for its flavorful ingredients that just seem to heighten the experience of being alive!

Supporting local charities is one thing but supporting one that involves exquisite dishes is ‘double the pleasure’ in my books! And that is exactly what the organizers want guests to experience. Raising funds for such a worthwhile charitable cause, all the while you’re enjoying yourself in a beautiful setting, eating flavorful foods and dancing the night away…what could be better?!

Every year The Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund hosts its annual celebrated gala to raise funds and awareness for their cause. The Snowsuit Fund, now in its 33rd year of operation has managed to ‘meet the challenge of keeping underprivileged kids warm during our cold winters’. They have also brought ‘dignity and hope to families who simply do not have the means to provide their children with the necessities for living’.

The Snowsuit Fund is an Ottawa-based charity that raises funds for the purchase and distribution of snowsuits to needy children, 15 years and under, in our community. We are just one social organization working to deal with the consequences of poverty in our region. But like so many of our sister organizations, the demand for our services continues to grow.

Last year alone the Snowsuit Fund was able to distribute 16,469 snowsuits for children that were in need of them with the money raised from events such as this beautiful gala. With the help of volunteers, knitters, schools and generous individual and business donations, the snowsuit fund was able to help many children stay warm during our harsh winter.

So now that you have the spirit of giving pulling at your hearts strings…I’m going to be pulling you in another direction. To tempt you with beautiful pinxtos (teaser appetizers if you will) that Chef Louis Simard will be preparing at the gala.

Appetizers from prawns to chorizo and quail eggs to smoked oysters are going to wet the guests appetites…And for the main course, let me just tease you with the fact that my favorite protein – LAMB will be just one of the mouth-watering components that will be prepared for the main course. The main entrée is literally a collective arrangement of the Spanish culture on a plate!

I was fortunate enough to have Chef Simard prepare some temptations…A sneak peak of what to expect during the beautiful Spanish themed multicourse sit down dinner.

Teasers

Chateau Laurier’s Executive Chef Louis Simard with his Spanish teasers!

 

(back to front) Anchovies and Pickled Onions, Lemon Zucchini, Piquillo Pepper Prawns, Chorizo and Quail Egg and Smoked Oyster and Roasted Tomatoes.

 

Serrano Ham, Lemon Poached Asparagus, Shaved Compte (Manchego) Cheese, Almond and Honey Vinaigrette.

And for those who love sweets….

Caramelized Flan, Almond Cake, Lemon-Lime Ice Cream

 More evening highlights 

•200 silent auction items to suit every taste and budget
•Special premium silent auction table of high-end showcase items
•Exciting live auction featuring trips and one-of-a-kind items
•Hosted by Honourary Chairs Chris & Erin Phillips, along with CTV’s Lianne Laing and 105.3 KISS FM’s Sandra Plagakis and Carter Brown

Date and Time: Saturday, November 14th 6:30 pm

Where:  Fairmont Château Laurier Hotel, 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa

Admission cost: $250 per ticket

Tickets: Can be purchased online

Hope to see you there!

 

Those who know me know I'm weak for tasty popcorn and @fromfarmtotablecanada
 spoiled me with theirs!! 🍿 😋

Proudly Ontario-made and woman-owned, From Farm to Table Canada has debuted their limited-edition CNE Kettle Corn in collaboration with the Canadian National Exhibition @letsgototheex for the 2024 season.Their beautiful package illustrations captures the fun that we have, when at the CNE 🎢.

It's the perfect blend of sweet and salty - my favourite!! 😍

They are available in two sizes: Family Bag and Grab & Go. Sold online as well as in retail chains and many independent stores.

This must-have snack for the summer is available until Labour Day. 

Get yours today and enjoy!!🍿🍿
A couple of evenings ago, I had the pleasure and honour of being invited by my alma mater, @lecordonbleuottawa to witness Chef @antonyannick70 be awarded France's L'Ordre du mérite agricole, the highest civilian honour from the embassy @franceaucanada 😃

This distinction recognizes the contributions of Chef Yannick to promote French culture in Canada and Ottawa specifically - through his work as a chef and instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Institute in Ottawa. 

Special moments of the evening included Ambassador of France to Canada, Michel Miraillet sharing with guests the numerous accomplishments that Chef Yannick Anton has accomplished over the years. Simply remarkable!!👏👏
A very touching and inspiring moment came when Chef Yannick Anton gave praise and gratitude to his mentors, who helped him attain his dream in the culinary industry. He also reminded the graduating class of chefs to always have a vision and to never let it go.👨‍🍳👩🏼‍🍳😍

And it wouldn't be a celebration without some tasty treats that exude French flare! They even had chocolate graduation hats - very cute and apropo 🎓🎓

Bravo Chef!!😊
Muy Caliente!!🔥🔥🌞🌞

With the insanely hot weather, nothing is more refreshing than this tasty Brazilian lemonade with some @bacardi Gold
Rum for the win!!🤩😋

And let me tell you, a pitcher was made...as it's THAT delicious!!

At this rate, I will finally start to enjoy the summer heat...providing I have my 'special' lemonade!😉

Cheers!

#foodblogger #travelblogger #cocktails #cocktailporn #brazilianlemonade #braziliandrink #summerdrinks #bacardi #rum #summerheat #summerheatwave #lemonadeforadults #thefoodteasedrinks #ifwtwa1 #tmac #enjoylife #enjoythemoment
After a long day, a rich and tasty avocado, egg and bacon salad was the way to go!!🥑🥚🥓😍😋

And the pièce de résistance, triple-cream Brie with @artisinbakery baguette - the perfect match for such a meal. 

At this rate, indulgence should be my nickname 😉

#foodblogger #foodporn #travelblogger #foodphotography #indulgence #longday #avocado #triplecream #baguette #frenchcuisine #enjoylife #luxelife #thefoodteaseeats #thefoodtease #ifwtwa1 #fwt #tmac
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

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