"A Taste of Hope" to Become a Niagara Region Tradition
Niagara Region is blessed with some of the finest culinary talent and wineries in the world. In support of last December's tsunami, Mark Hand and his colleagues are raffling off a Niagara Culinary Dream Weekend for ten people.
(PRWEB) May 5, 2005 -- Niagara Region is blessed with some of the finest culinary talent in the world, not to mention some of the most spectacular wineries in North America. It is not clear whether the incredible cuisine attracted the wineries, or the award winning wineries created the lure for these Canadian gastronomic impresarios.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that Niagara attracts millions of visitors a year intent on sampling a taste of this magnificent region.
Several months ago chef Mark Hand of the Niagara Culinary Institute at Niagara College was reeling from the devastation of last Decembers tsunami. Eager to make a contribution to the cause, he contacted the Red Cross with the seed of an idea. To help raise funds he and a group of his colleagues and community partners would offer their sought after culinary skills and raffle off a Niagara Culinary Dream Weekend for ten. The idea was a stroke of genius and was quickly dubbed, A Taste of Hope".
Because of the overwhelming response to the Tsunami Appeal, the Canadian Red Cross met its goal, accepting sufficient donations to allow for a 10-year commitment for recovery efforts in the affected area. However, Hand felt that A Taste of Hope" would be an ideal fundraiser for the local Niagara Area Branches, and help them continue to offer their much-needed programs and services to the people of the Niagara Region. The positive response from across the region has been over the top. Everyone Ive contacted wants to be involved", says Hand.
Denise Stone, district branch manger for the Niagara area, is overwhelmed by the support the fundraiser has received, both from the Niagara Culinary Centre at Niagara College and the Pen Centre, as well as from the long list of other sponsors. It is so gratifying that so many people have stepped up and offered their help and support," she said. This initiative will ensure that Red Cross will be there when help is needed."
The Pen Centre is a major partner in the fundraiser and will assist in promoting the event along with providing a high profile venue leading up to the final draw that will take place in Sears Court. Rick Woodward, the Pen Centres Marketing Director, remarked, everyone here at the Pen Centre is thrilled to be part of A Taste of Hope. It promises to be a wonderful event and succeed in positioning Niagara as the vibrant, world class community it is."
A Taste of Hope is now a reality and in full swing. The Grand prize winner will be announced at the Pen Centre on Saturday, June 18 during a special Niagara Chefs Showcase" event. Here participating chefs will create an array of taste temptations and auction off a fabulous menu of luncheons to shoppers at the Pen Centre.
With the purchase of a $2.00 raffle ticket, participants will have a chance to win a Niagara Culinary Dream Weekend for themselves and nine of their closets friends. Scheduled for July 15 and 16, a gala dinner for ten will be prepared by a team of some of Niagaras finest chefs, with luxury overnight accommodation at the famous White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa.
The winners will be feted with Niagaras finest food and wine, in the Private Cellar dining room at the Niagara Culinary Institute. The following morning, the winners will continue to be indulged with a fabulous Niagara Brunch for Ten at White Oaks. Then its a day of culinary adventure, including a dessert tasting in the private garden of Anna Olson of Food Network Canada, a Vintage" picnic and Canadian wine and cheese tasting at Cave Springs Cellar and an ice wine tasting at Casa Mia.
The draw will also include a second prize of $250. in Pen Centre Gift Certificates with the third prize being a series of dinners for two at some of Niagaras most outstanding restaurants.
All proceeds will go toward the Niagara area branch of the Red Cross. Purchase your tickets now by visiting the Pen Centres Customer Service and all participating Niagara Wineries or call the Red Cross at 905-704-0206 or 905-945-8658.
Contact:
Denise Stone 905-704-0206,
email: denise.stone@redcross.ca
or
Nancy Twerdohlib 905-704-0206,
email: nancy.twerdohlib@redcross.ca
Taste of Hope" Participants include:
- Niagara Culinary Institute
- On the Twenty
- Fallsview Casino Resorts
- The Riverbend Inn
- LIV @ White Oaks
- Twelve
- Cave Springs
- Swing
-Wellington Court
- Vineland Estates Winery Restaurant
- Casa Mia
- Spice of Life
- Niagara Specialty Foods
- Olson Foods & Bakery
- Queens Landing
- Prince of Wales
- Pillar and Post
- Royal Niagara Golf
- Niagara Parks Commission
- Savoia -- Hors doeuvres and more
- KIR at 160 Front
- Zest
- The Good Earth Cooking School
- Cogeco
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