Huge success for Toronto Taste 2015

June 10, 2015, TORONTO — On Sunday, June 7, Toronto’s premier culinary event, Toronto Taste, took place lakeside, at Corus Quay, uniting the city’s top chefs and beverage purveyors for a spectacular evening of delicious fare and refreshing drinks in support of Second Harvest’s food rescue program.

The 25th anniversary of the event raised an incredible $850,000 for Second Harvest, which will provide 1,700,000 meals for people experiencing hunger in Toronto.

“Our annual fundraiser for Second Harvest is incredibly hard work, but it’s such a great event, and a true collaboration of what happens when all of our partners join us and work towards such an important cause. To raise $850,000, which is more than $100,000 over our goal, in one evening is not just unbelievable; it’s critical in helping us do what we do every day, which is provide good, nutrient-dense food to people experiencing hunger. What we did at Toronto Taste was focus on the need – to raise enough funds in one evening in order to provide over 1.7 million meals,” says Debra Lawson, executive director of Second Harvest.

“None of this would be possible without our sponsors, our donors, our chefs and vintners, an incredibly dedicated staff and the best volunteers in the world. We are immensely grateful, particularly in light of this being Toronto Taste’s 25th year. Since 1985 Second Harvest has rescued and delivered over one hundred million pounds of food to over 200 agencies in the city. At no cost to these agencies, we are able to help them save funds which can be directed to critical programs. That’s why Toronto Taste is so important to Second Harvest and this was the best one yet!”

The Daniels Corporation has been supporting Second Harvest as Presenting Sponsor of Toronto Taste for an impressive 20 years.

“All of us at The Daniels Corporation have the unique opportunity to go outside of our day-to-day and work with organizations that truly affect change in our community,” said Daniels vice-president Don Pugh. “Over the past 20 years, we have developed a strong partnership with Second Harvest, which rescues food for distribution by community agencies. Their efforts to ensure that as many people as possible in our city don’t go hungry is awe-inspiring. We are pleased to once again support Second Harvest by being Presenting Sponsor of Toronto Taste. Thank you, Second Harvest, for your admirable work.”

Guests enjoyed mouth-watering dishes prepared by over 50 participating chefs including Mark McEwan, Michael Smith, Rob Gentile, Carl Heinrich, Marc Thuet, Dufflet Rosenberg, and many more, plus incredible tastes from over 20 beverage purveyors. The Live Auction, co-hosted by the Food Network’s John Catucci and Bob Blumer and supported by auctioneer Allen Fleishman, was the most successful ever, garnering big bids on unique culinary prizes. The crowd also experienced the excitement of the Toronto Taste Chef Challenge, which was won by the talented Adam Oliveira, of The Spoke Club and a Canadian finalist in the S. Pellegrino Young Chef Competition.

To encourage donations and increase fundraising support, Assante Wealth Management matched, dollar for dollar, all personal donations up to $25,000, made on-site at Toronto Taste 2015. This matching goal was achieved raising $50,000 for Second Harvest!

At the end of the evening came a surprise, very generous gift of $25,000 made by Toronto Taste guests Wade & Company!

As guests, chefs, sponsors and volunteers left the venue, they were reminded of the importance of this food rescue organization to our city, as the CN Tower was illuminated Second Harvest green in honour of 30 years of service and Toronto Taste’s 25th anniversary.

For more information on Toronto Taste 2015, to see photos or to donate to Second Harvest, please visit torontotaste.ca.

About Second Harvest: Second Harvest is a charity that rescues fresh, surplus food, that would otherwise go to waste, from grocery stores, manufacturers, distributers, farmers, restaurants and hotels. The food is delivered daily to more than 200 social service agencies feeding people experiencing hunger across Toronto. Since 1985 Second Harvest has rescued and delivered 100 million pounds of good food, thus preventing almost 50 million pounds of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. Second Harvest’s vision: No Waste. No Hunger.