Eat to the Beat 2012: foodies raising funds for breast cancer

Eat to the Beat took place on October 16, 2012 and celebrated its 17th year raising funds and awareness for Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada at the Roy Thompson Hall.

Over 60 world class female chefs from the city of Toronto came out to prepare sweet, savory and sinful dishes for the thousands of foodies who attend the event.  The annual Eat to the Beat event takes place during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and helps attendees see that no one will ever face breast cancer alone.

Yuli and myself entered the event with a mission to try out a good portion of all of the food stations.  The stations are set up alongside the glass windows of the Roy Thompson Hall, where patrons can greet the chefs and find out more about the dishes and vote for their favorite of the evening. Their were also cocktail stations set up along the venue as well, including Thompson’s Gin Snowballs, Hyptoniq Martinis and several different wine pairings throughout the venue with each dish.

Some of my favourite food dishes from the evening:

Linda Haynes, Ace Bakery, Mini Lemongrass Steak with Asian Coleslaw on a Baguette
Anne Yarymowich, Art Gallery of Ontario, Mayan Spiced Braised Beef, Short Ribs with Plaintain Mash
Lili Sullivan & Kimberly Humby, East & Main Bistro, Lobster Grilled Cheese with Smoked Water Buffalo Cheddar
Elyse Glaser, Nella Cucina, Wild Mushroom Soup with Truffle Oil (patrons choice for the evening)
Wanda Beaver, Wanda’s Pie in the Sky, Dolce De Leche Macaroons
Trisha Sheen, Crush Wine Bar, Jerked Chicken Wing with Jalapeno Corn Cream

The evening also included live music, a silent auction and these tempting grab bags you could purchase for $20, which had items ranging from $30-$1,000 in them.

Eat to the Beat really brought out the sense that while not only was it a fundraiser, it helped use one of people’s biggest comforts (food) as the healing process for breast cancer and life (in general).  Food can lift your spirits in the best of times and in the worst of times, no matter what the dish may be.  It can evoke all types of emotions and feelings within you and keep your body healthy and strong.  Support Eat to the Beat in 2013 if you didn’t attend this year.

Photos by Yuli Scheidt