Note: The Cuvee gala is set to honour the best in Ontario wine on Friday, March 2. Cuvee organizers have just announced the chef lineup who pair their creations with Ontario’s top VQA wines. This is the news release.
St. Catharines, ON, February 7, 2012 – A diverse selection of Niagara’s hottest chefs is preparing to flex their collective culinary muscle at the 24th annual Cuvée Gala taking place on Friday, March 2nd. The chefs will get their fair share of the spotlight at Niagara’s foremost wine and food celebration as they prepare their dishes at live cooking stations.
A cross section of talent representing some of Niagara’s finest dining establishments will be on hand, including:
• Chefs Paul Harber and Collin Goodine, Ravine Vineyard
• Chef Jason Parsons, Peller Estates
• Chef Claudio Mollica, Casa Mia Ristorante
• Chef Justin Downes, The Restaurant at Vineland Estates Winery
• Chef J. Mark Hand, Hospitality on Hand
• Chefs Giovanni Del Priore and Leonardo Priore, Criveller Candies
• Chef Professors Sam Seaver, Dan LeBlanc, Philippe Corbiere, Osvaldo Avila, Jim McClean C.C.C., Bruce Worden C.C.C. and the students from Culinary Management and Apprenticeship Programs, Canadian Food and Wine Institute and Benchmark Restaurant at Niagara College
• Chef Ray Taylor, Fallsview Casino Resort
The chefs will present their creations paired with wines that have been deemed worthy of the Cuvée Standard of Excellence. The night’s menu will include items such as compressed salmon served with beetroot sponge and goat cheese ice cream; braised veal cheek with creamy polenta and gremolata; and Icewine sous vide duck with butternut squash, piacerre and bacon. Guests will also enjoy Ontario artisan cheeses from The Dairy Farmers of Canada and an assortment of gelato from Italian Ice Cream.
The Gala is only one part of the weekend’s festivities, which also include the Cuvée en Route passport touring and tasting program. Cuvée Weekend tickets are available at Cuvee or by calling 905-684-8688.
Cuvée en Route admission can be purchased separately for $30.00 per person, via the same outlets or at participating wineries on Cuvée Weekend. Ticket and event information, details about Cuvée en Route tastings, overnight accommodation packages, and event announcements can all be found on the Cuvée web site.
Proceeds from the weekend go to the Niagara Community Foundation. Founded in 2000, the Niagara Community Foundation has raised more than $16 million and granted over $4 million from an endowment fund created to support local charities working in the arts, heritage, environment, social services, health, education and community development. Community foundations are one of the world’s fastest growing philanthropic movements, with more than 1,100 foundations in 42 countries.
Sounds like an awesome culinary experience – can’t wait to try the creations!
You’re coming down for Cuvee? That’s awesome!