Daily Bread's Ultimate Food Challenge raises $90,000 for kitchen programs

TORONTO, May 10, 2013 /CNW/ - Daily Bread's second annual chef competition and foodie fundraiser served up delicious food and great entertainment for 250 people down at Corus Quay Wednesday night. The event raised $90,000 to help support Daily Bread's kitchen programs. These programs provide 170,000 nutritious meals annually to shelters, schools and other meal programs serving low-income children and adults at more than 100 community agencies in neighbourhoods across Toronto.

Three chefs including Jason Parsons (Peller Estates Winery Restaurant), Alexandra Feswick (The Samuel J. Moore) and Devan Rajkumar (executive chef, Bosch) sliced, diced and cooked their way through the evening. They showed off their talent at their signature dish stations at the beginning of the evening, before getting to the main event - a timed competition in front of the crowd. Each chef had 30 minutes to complete a dish that was judged on taste, presentation, creativity and use of ingredients commonly found in a food hamper box.

The winner, as chosen by judges Arlene Dickinson (CBC's Dragons' Den and The Big Decision), Melissa Grelo (co-host, CP24 Breakfast), Erin Davis (co-host, CHFI morning show), Leslie Roberts (news anchor, Global Toronto) and Suman Roy (executive chef, Campbell's), was Alexandra Feswick, who made a Western Falafel using chick peas, spiced yoghurt and lentils. Devan Rajkumar won Fan Favourite with a Vegetarian Slider (pita bread, cheese, canned pineapple) and Jason Parsons made a delicious dish of Ham, Cheese and Potato Croquettes (which included canned ham).

Sponsored by Campbell's, Nutella, Canadian Pacific and hosted at the beautiful Corus Quay thanks to support from Corus Entertainment, guests enjoyed signature dishes from the chefs, appetizers from Daily Bread's Catering Kitchen, as well as dessert from Dufflet's, wine from Peller Estates, beer from Beau's and coffee from Balzac's. Dozens of companies including Porter Airlines and Loblaws also supported the event with donations for prizes and the silent auction.

Daily Bread Food Bank

Proceeds from the 2013 Ultimate Food Challenge will support Daily Bread's Kitchen Program which includes the Food Services Training Program for individuals facing barriers to employment. With five full-time professional staff onsite each day to teach and guide the trainees, this one-of-a-kind comprehensive program has successfully fostered job readiness and confidence in our trainees, both professionally and personally. To find out more about Daily Bread's 2^nd annual Ultimate Food Challenge, check out our website at www.dailybread.ca/ufc.

SOURCE: Daily Bread Food Bank

Sarah Anderson
Senior Manager, Communications
T: 416-203-0050 ext. 238
E: [email protected]
M: 416-450-2196