DéFI CANAPé PRESENTS BITES FOR BATSHAW

$90,000 raised for kids, youth and families facing neglect and abuse

Hey Noties, today we celebrate two very special events committed to making a difference for our greatest joy: children.

CANAPÉ COMPETITION DELIVERS: If apps are your weakness — and no, we’re not talking about those you download — you would have loved the Batshaw Centres Foundation’s fourth annual Défi Canapé fundraising event at Entrepôts Dominion.

Patronized by more than 300 enthusiastic supporters (e.g., Jarislowsky Fraser’s Michel Brutti, duProprio COO Lukas Lhotsky, 3Macs director/ portfolio manager Timothy E. Price, and power pair Dr. Frank Heidemann, Candorvision president/CEO, and ENERCON Canada accounting tops Alexandra Heidemann), the unique benefit invited teams from some of the most talented eateries in the city — including Burgundy Lion, Grumman 78, Tavern on the Square, Pub Wolf, Workman Free House, Le Kitchen, Mouton Noir, Sumac and Tuck Shop — to prep their best signature appetizers for the big night.

And of course, the resident epicurean experts did not disappoint! Inspired by a passion for great food — and making a difference — they pleased discriminating palates with platters of insanely good apps, all served against the backdrop of a fun and festive ambience.

The big reveal: But then it was decision time, and after careful consideration — and considerable consumption — a winner was crowned.

Le Kitchen walked off with top honours for its mouth-wateringly delicious barbecued oyster mushrooms with burnt nori emulsion and fermented cashew cheese on a beet cracker. (I get misty-eyed just thinking about it.)

The even better takeaway: Thanks to generous event partners like lead sponsor Jarislowsky Fraser, record ticket sales and a solid performance on the side of the silent auction, the evening generated over $90,000 for the benefit of the Batshaw centres, sending devoted organizers like foundation co-president Janet Faith and exec director Michael Udy straight over the moon (yes, made of cheese!).

Part of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-deMontréal, Batshaw provides invaluable services and support to children, youth and families who have experienced neglect, abuse, serious behaviour problems or delinquency.

SUCCESS IS IN THE SPARKLE: Whoever said a difference cannot be made by a few determined and resilient individuals with a dream (and endless reserves of patience, energy and talent) never met professional makeup artist Charlotte Marie Flannery and her longtime dear friend, jewelry designer Tracy Gartner.

Motivated by Charlotte’s personal journey as the mother of two young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the power pair pooled talents to launch Ray of Light Canada, a brand partnership committed to creating beautiful jewelry and elegant and effective beauty products, from which 50 per cent of proceeds goes to Autism Speaks Canada.

Since 2010, the non-profit supporting evidence-based research and Family Services Community Grants has given more than $4 million in grants to 250-plus organizations across Canada.

As for their most recent adventures in beauty, think all sparkle all the time — a hypoallergenic, paraben-free diamond shine range of five shades of long-staying gloss called Ariana’s Sparkle, inspired by Charlotte’s daughter Ariana’s love of sparkles and available for purchase through the Ariana’s Sparkle Etsy shop.

The product was launched at a glossy pink fête at House of 24K Aesthetics with all the pop and perfection it deserved (kudos to perfect partners like Villa Maria Wines, DJ Jared Ross, CEP Studio, Ballons Luxe, Delicious Creations Montreal and Chic & Sweet Montreal).

The magical event was awash in fun for all ages and attended by a mix of big and junior VIPeeps.

Attendees included Ritz-Carlton Montreal’s PR and sales powerhouse Katia Piccolino, Rev Communications founder/ president Tuti Do, event planner/producer Maddy K, Virgin Radio’s Natasha Gargiulo, influencer/photographer Monique Weston and many others. For more from these fab fêtes and others, spring to diaryofasocialgal.com.

OLIVE K. PETERS SUMAC SQUAD: Sumac restaurant’s David Bloom and Raquel Zagury bring their best to the Batshaw Centres Foundation’s Défi Canapé.

OLIVE K. PETERS GROUP DOING GOOD: Vincent Otis-Duhamel, Sophie Palmer, Stuart Frenkiel, Andrew Clark, Kawtar Affendi, Florence Knafo, Erin O’Brien, Vanessa Pittarelli, Camille Pellerin and Michel Brutti help take things next-level at Batshaw’s Défi Canapé.

OLIVE K. PETERS WINNERS’ CORNER: Batshaw Centres Foundation director and event co-chair Laura Lavy, Dan Geltner of Défi winner Le Kitchen, foundation co-president Janet Faith, Le Kitchen’s Emilia Jamieson, foundation director/event co-chair Tina Khan and Mandy Trudeau of Le Kitchen celebrate the big win.

BIANCA MORELLO PHOTOGRAPHY MOM AND HER MUSE: Ray of Light Canada co-founder and sought-after pro makeup artist Charlotte Marie Flannery shares a cookie-filled magic moment with her inspiration, incandescent daughter Ariana Dounavis, at the benefit launch for Ariana’s Sparkle.

BIANCA MORELLO PHOTOGRAPHY LOVE WAS IN THE AIR: Tania Tassone, Christina Pastor, Deirdre Savidant, Melanie Kanis, lady of the hour Charlotte Marie Flannery, Erika Szego, Alexandria Flannery and Zoe Barraclough smile big and proud at the launch for Ariana’s Sparkle.

OLIVE K. PETERS MAKING THEIR MARK: Westmounters Mark Lowe, consultant, PRagmatic Communications; Sara O’Brien, portfolio manager, CDPQ; and Greg Adelstein, president, iGotcha Media, at Batshaw’s Défi Canapé.

OLIVE K. PETERS TUCK SHOP TUCKS IN: Tuck Shop teamers Brandon Cummings, Theo Lerikos and Jon Bloom tantalize tastebuds.

BIANCA MORELLO PHOTOGRAPHY HAPPY SPARKLE: Junior VIP Sienna Girosan shows off the goods at the launch for Ariana’s Sparkle.

BIANCA MORELLO PHOTOGRAPHY SITTING PRETTY: Calla Chung and mom Tuti Do, Rev Communications founder/president, enjoy festivities at the benefit launch event for Ariana’s Sparkle.