Grand Cru Recipe for Philanthropic Success

8th Annual Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival raises over $1.2M for the Krembil Neuroscience Centre, Toronto Western Hospital

TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - The 8^th annual Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival presented by Miele took place October 26 and 27. International chefs and wine estates once again joined forces with some of Canada's brightest medical minds to host Toronto's premier food and wine event. This year's event raised over $1.2 million for the Krembil Neuroscience Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network (UHN). www.braincampaign.ca

Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival is a true philanthropic collaboration. The Grand Cru Wine and Dine Experience featured 21 international and prominent local chefs including Arpi Magyar, Daniel Boulud, David Hawksworth, Jamie Kennedy and Ryo Ozawa who donated their time and culinary artistry.  10 wine estates including Château Margaux, Remoissenet Père et Fils and Antinori donated their wines and 14 of Toronto's top philanthropists' opened their opulent homes to host the private dinners which included covering the cost of décor and entertainment.  To complete Grand Cru's savory recipe for philanthropic success each home also included a UHN scientist.

"We are very grateful that proceeds from this year's Grand Cru will support our $200-million Brain Campaign at UHN," said Tennys Hanson, President and CEO of Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation. "This Campaign is supporting transformative research and innovation that will benefit millions of people who suffer debilitating neurological conditions. Grand Cru provides a wonderful opportunity to tell this story and support the outstanding contributions of our Krembil Neuroscience Centre team."

Close to 400 guests enjoyed the Grand Cru Wine and Dine Experience on Saturday, October 27^th. Many eagerly paid as much $25K per couple to join family, friends and colleagues for this annual celebration supporting medical research. Guests came from, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

The Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival Appreciation Party on Friday, October 26^th took place at Lexus Downtown, Grand Cru's Official Luxury Vehicle sponsor. Approximately 160 guests attended, "this special night is our way to say thank you to our sponsors, chefs, vintners, scientists and hosts for everything they do and all they contribute; months and months of planning and organizing goes into this event.  Selecting menus, pairing wines not to mention the time and creativity our hosts dedicate to creating the most incredible evening for their guests and they do it to give back and to support the world class leadership and innovation of our UHN hospitals," said Todd Halpern, Founder and Chair, Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival. "We are truly thankful and inspired by their generous support and continued commitment."

Special guests wining and dining and supporting UHN were Kim Cattrall, Kevin O'Leary, Kevin Hearn, Joseph Mimran and Kimberley Newport Mimran, Rob and Cheryl McEwen, Jan and Maria Heck and Suzanne and Ed Rogers, to name a few.

Each year funds raised directly support scientific research and fund different key program areas at UHN.  Including this year, Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festivals has raised more than $11.4 million since 2005.

Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival 2013, with the return of the Grand Cu Live Auction*, will take place October 30 - November 2^nd.

*Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival Live Auction takes place every other year.

SOURCE: Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation

For further information:

For sponsorship and media inquiries please contact:

Megan Goldwell
Manager, Corporate Partnerships and Special Projects
Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation
(416) 340-5240
megan.goldwell@uhn.ca