Toronto Taste | Toronto’s premier culinary
Thank you very much for your prompt reports and thank you for a job well-done.
Thank you for bringing our event up a notch with your team’s professionalism!
We were very pleased with your team; Christina was terrific along with the rest of the crew.
You and your team have been really great to work with. Super friendly, organized and prompt response to questions. I liked the items you brought to the venue and the way it was set up –not too crowded and a nice variety. The bidding sheets were all clear and easy to read – very professional. The person who was there was also very nice and professional.
Thank you Allen. You and your son were fantastic and made a big difference to our auction. I hope we can work together again soon!
You guys were awesome!
Thanks so much again for participating in our event the way you do. We set a budget of $100k between the live and silent auction and raised over $150k.
We would love for you to return this year as our auctioneer… you did such a wonderful job last year – so we’d like to keep to a winning formula!
Just wanted to say thank you again for helping us last week for our event. Having you and your team there really elevated the entire evening. I wanted to let you know that over the course of the evening we raised $18,500 in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada and the James Lee Foundation (Vancouver).
Thank you so much for your wonderful efforts yesterday. You both did a spectacular job, everyone was very impressed and happy with the funds raised.
Wow, you guys are amazing to say the least. Thank you very much!
We just wanted to send a quick THANK YOU for all of great work yesterday. The auction really was a success. It is a hard room to connect with and you really did a great job. Thank you so much!
I’ve followed up with a few of our guests and vendors at the end of the night and everyone loved the items shown!
Thank you and your team for all of your help!
“Thank you very much for your participation in our event. We are very pleased with your services and have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from those in attendance.”
Thank you very much for all of your help. Its always a pleasure having you guys come down.
“Thank YOU very much for offering such an exciting Silent and Live Auction! I’ve only attended 1 auction before & yours by far was very organized. We received positive feedback about the organization & display of items. The items offered were plenty & varied to all tastes.
You made it appear seamless which was fantastic.
Overall, I thought it was great and I appreciate all your efforts.
It was a pleasure working with you and I look forward to working with you next year!”
I was pleased with your staff; they were very professional. It was good that they ran everything very independently as I was busy dealing with other challenges.
Thank you so much for all your work on Sunday! And that of your team. It was wonderful working with you! We have some pretty incredible news to share –our goal was to raise $733,000 and we raised…$850,000! The Live Auction was the most successful ever – it went off so smoothly. Everyone loved it!
TORONTO, June 14, 2016 – On Sunday, June 12, 2016, Toronto’s legendary culinary fundraiser, Toronto Taste, took place lakeside at Corus Quay. The 26thanniversary of Toronto Taste, presented by The Daniels Corporation, raised $850,000 for Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue charity, enough to provide food for 1.7 million meals to people facing hunger across Toronto.
Live auction services were once again provided by AFGI professional auctioneers, Allen Fleishman and Ryan Fleishman. This year’s live auction was the most successful fundraising event in Toronto Taste history, garnering six figures on unique culinary prizes and much more. AFGI also broadcasted the auction live online with video/audio, open to global bidders on auctionnetwork.ca.
The event also featured the season’s best flavours from over 90 of Toronto’s top restaurants and beverage purveyors including The McEwan Group, Victoria Gin, Carbon Bar, Patois and many more, plus creative cocktails and drinks from over 30 beverage purveyors. One of the highlights of the evening was the live auction, specifically Second Harvest Ambassador and long-time supporter, Bob Blumer’s ‘A Surreal Experience’. The prize included a trip to Los Angeles along with a dinner prepared by Bob in his home including wines from his private cellar. Originally intended as one prize, its popularity encouraged Bob to generously donate an additional three packages, raising an impressive $49,000! Guests were also able to join in some of the excitement as three of Toronto’s best chefs, Kaya Ogruce (Death in Venice Gelato Co.), Darby Piquette (One) and Ivana Raca (Raca Café) competed in the Chef Challenge. After a close challenge, Ivana Raca was crowned the winner.
“Toronto Taste is such an incredible event that we at Second Harvest rely on to ensure we can continue providing fresh, healthy food to Torontonians experiencing hunger. We wouldn’t be able to put on such a great event without our sponsors, donors, chefs, our incredible staff and volunteers. We are immensely grateful to everyone who made this year’s Toronto Taste one of the best,” says Debra Lawson, Executive Director of Second Harvest. “It is because of Toronto’s collective passion for helping fellow neighbours in need that Toronto Taste is achievable. The event is critical to the success of Second Harvest’s food rescue program, and accounts for 20% of the annual revenue, helping provide good food each month to over 100,000 children, adults and seniors experiencing hunger.”
Presenting sponsor The Daniels Corporation has been a part of Toronto Taste for the last 21 years and is committed to helping support Second Harvest’s vision that no one needs to go hungry. “The Daniels Corporation was proud to be the presenting sponsor for Toronto Taste once again this year,” says Don Pugh, Vice President, The Daniels Corporation. “We believe in the work that Second Harvest does for our community, ensuring that those who are hungry can have access to nutrient-dense food.” Live Auction Services Provided by AFGI.ca
