CULINARY SHOWDOWN WHETS APPETITE

Collaborative benefit event raises more than $1.1 million for breast cancer research

So, noties, in case you didn’t get the memo, a whole pack of new words and expressions have erupted out of our fast-paced tech-based 2017 existence, stuff like influencers, a direct byproduct of our social media whirl-d, and another that’s incredibly relevant in this instance: collaborations. I mean, who isn’t doing a “collab” these days, from the likes of mega brands Target and H&M connecting with every famous designer alive, to every mega “influencer” (hello Kardashians) partnering with myriad hip lifestyle brands à la Nike and Adidas, all fabulously represented by the ubiquitous X, linker of two pervasive entities that come together to make some synergistic magic …

Which brings us to today’s event extravaganza: the Culinary Showdown benefit event supporting hereditary breast cancer research, a joint venture (ahem “collab”) organized by the Jewish General Hospital Foundation (JGHF) and Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation (FCSQ). Or, in 2017 coolspeak: JGHF X FCSQ.

Any way you slice it (chop it, dice it or spice it!), the first-time event, chaired by Etty Bienstock, Irwin Kramer and Joan Prevost, and hosted by Sebastien Benoît and Brad Smith, was a sizzlingly successful one, attracting more than 700 enthusiastic guests who couldn’t wait to show up for the cause and experience some good flavour and foodie entertainment at the same time.

Some of the event’s tastiest highlights (on top of moving tributes to honourary chair, Dr. Andre Lisbona and event honouree Nadia Saputo) included the patronage of beloved celeb chefs à la Kimberly Lallouz, Michael Smith, Mark McEwan, Ivana Raca and Tyler Florence, who worked tirelessly with humour and passion as outstanding culinary guides for their protégés (a pack of gifted foodies eligible to compete after distinguishing themselves as premium plus fundraisers) before taking them on in a TV-worthy competition before a panel of decidedly saucy high profile judges: Jonathan Garnier, Mitsou Gélinas, JeanPhilippe Tastet, Mitch Garber, Sen. Larry Smith and Michele Forgione. (For the detail-driven, note that the Tyler Florence team walked away with top honours, while Kimberly Lallouz’s fierce-in-the-best-way squad claimed second place).

It was indeed a very special evening that already has guests bubbling with excitement for the next one, sure to count the following VIP patrons among its supporters once again: Emmelle and Alvin Segal; Susan and Jonathan Wener; Eddy Wiltzer, chair of the JGH Foundation with wife Heleena; president of the Jewish General Hospital Corporation Howard Dermer with Beverly Chaimberg; immediate past president, of the JGH Corporation Allen Rubin with wife Sarah; JGH Foundation president/ CEO Myer Bick with wife Carole; JGH Capital Campaign co-chair Harvey Levenson with wife Alta; the very neighbourly Barbara and Stanley Plotnick; Segal Cancer Centre director Dr. Gerald Batist with wife Lynn; Lillian Vineberg with Morris Goodman; and (n) oodles more!

Perhaps Nathalie Tremblay, CEO of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation captured the zeitgeist of the experience best when she said: “The Culinary Showdown is an original event that brings people together for a cause they care about; this is a great way to support the fight against breast cancer and a perfect opportunity for food lovers to indulge their passion in a party atmosphere while contributing.” Amen to that.

Thanks to great people all around and valued partners including AVON Foundation for Women Canada, Desjardins, Verley, Lawrence Yanofsky, PearTree, Farinex, Sub Zero — Wolf, MAXI, Pepsi and more, a very appetizing $1.1 million-plus was raised, funds instrumental to nurturing two important projects in the field of genomics.

Clearly, this event had all the right ingredients.

For more foodie and fundraising fun: diaryofasocialgal.com, where the party apps and bubbles are in free flow.

PHOTOS: RYAN BLAU/PBL PHOTOGRAPHY Chef-chiefs: Chefs Tyler Florence, Kimberly Lallouz, Michael Smith, Ivana Raca, and Mark McEwan bring fierce talent, mentoring skills and competitive spirit to the inaugural Culinary Showdown benefit event, supporting hereditary breast cancer research.

Winners’ corner: Tyler Florence and his dream team rejoice in their victory.

All in the family: Doctors Stacy and Allan Lisbona pose proudly with honourary chair Dr. Andre Lisbona and wife Glenda at the inaugural Culinary Showdown benefit event.

Dream teamers: Jill Prevost, Lynda Stuyck, event co-chair Joan Prevost and husband Jean Prevost cosy up to the cam at the inaugural Culinary Showdown benefit event.

Coolest judges ever unite for the cause: Mitch Garber, Michele Forgioni, Jean-Philippe Tastet, Mitsou Gélinas, Jonathan Garnier and Sen. Larry Smith add signature sizzle and sass to the inaugural Culinary Showdown benefit event.

Power pair: Heleena Wiltzer and husband, JGH Foundation chair Eddy Wiltzer attend the inaugural Culinary Showdown benefit event.

Cheek to chic: Event co-chair Etty Bienstock, right, and her husband Ralph wear big smiles (and cool prints) to the benefit event.

On scene: Rhona Kramer and husband Irwin Kramer, event cochair for the Culinary Showdown benefit event.

Awesome honouree: Nadia Saputo speaks at the inaugural Culinary Showdown benefit event supporting hereditary breast cancer research.