Photos by Kristina Groeger, text by Ivy Knight
Drake grill cook, Andrew Myklos
For the fourth year in a row, the Drake Hotel played host to the Earth Day Canada fundraiser. The entire venue, from the Underground where the awards ceremony was held, to the Lounge where MC Sean Cullen held court and the Sadies rocked the house, to the Sky Yard where a barbecue station and plenty of Mill House Organic Lager had the joint rockin’.
This is Earth Day Canada’s primary fundraising event for the year. Money raised at the Gala funds year round environmental education programs and activities across the country. This year’s theme was a country fair, “On a hot summer night there’s nothing better than smoky barbecue and cool gelato.” Says EDC’s Reid Bodley, “It was a great, casual, yet sophisticated, celebration of environmental achievement.”
Here’s Kristina Groeger’s photo essay from the evening.
Local, sustainably raised crudite.
Bartenders Mike Webster and Mark Cuschieri prepare to get busy.
Drake’s F&B Manager, Jonathan Humphrey with a glass of Henry of Pelham’s Catherine Rose Brut
Drake staff Jason Daniele, Gord Hannah (Head Bartender) and Roger Cardiff
Jerry Furtado
David Chang mans the BBQ station
Carolina style pulled pork & slaw on a bun
Blake McMillan from Mill Street, a sponsor of the event
Cookbook author and Food TV star Trish Magwood and friend
Drake’s Special Events team, Bryer Lees, Ashley Arvai and Dave Elliott
Sara Campbell on the candy station
Sam Milbraith and Andrew Bathory
Greg Herriott accepts Earth day Canada's Hometown Hero Small Business Award for Oilseed Works
Former Mayor David MIller (check out the stud)
Earth Day Canada president Jed Goldberg and his wife, Sheila
Toni Yeung
Chef Michael Stadtlander, president of EDC Jed Goldberg, Chef Anthony Rose and MC Sean Cullen
Buyannemekh Batsaikhan and John Koplimae old the fort in the kitchen
Kistina Groeger is a professional cook, amateur photographer, part time food writer and full time nerd. Her website address is kristinagroeger.com. Ivy Knight is a Toronto-based food writer and journalist, as well as the host of host of 86′d Mondays at the Drake Hotel. Follow Ivy at twitter.com/IvyKnight.
