For the launch of its York to the Power of 50 fund-raising initiative at the BMW Toronto showroom, York University emphasized its school colour, red, and served a feast fit for a major donor. Shannon Robertson, manager of marketing and events at York University Foundation, worked with her team and strategic marketing company Whirl to fill clear acrylic boxes with red items such as apples, tennis balls, and gel-filled test tubes. The boxes served as bookends on the buffet stations. Caterwaiters from DLE used red boxes with beds of cranberries as serving platters to pass mini turkey potpie hors d'oeuvres from Ginger Island Cuisine. Red apples also appeared at the bottom of large greenery-filled glass vases, each containing a tall white orchid from Soroa Orchids.A video screen from GestureTek played a loop of still images of the university. When a person walked close to the screen, a motion sensor caused the images to come to life with effects like falling leaves and flowing water. Robertson said she tried to offer inventive and unexpected decor "to evoke the nature of York's innovative brand."
In addition to mini turkey potpie, Ginger Island's lineup of passed hors d'oeuvres included rosemary biscuits with shaved venison and black current compote, blini pancakes with veal sausage and roasted red onions, and Thai-inspired lobster salad rolls. Two buffet stations offered plated portions of carved tequila marinated roast beef with taro root vegetable and wild citrus salmon with autumn vegetable salad. For used toothpicks and cocktail napkins and other such items, Chair-man Mills provided attractive perforated-silver receptacles.
The entertainment included a performance by singer Matt Dusk and a combination dance and trampoline routine choreographed by Debra Brown of Cirque du Soleil fame—both York alumnae.
In addition to mini turkey potpie, Ginger Island's lineup of passed hors d'oeuvres included rosemary biscuits with shaved venison and black current compote, blini pancakes with veal sausage and roasted red onions, and Thai-inspired lobster salad rolls. Two buffet stations offered plated portions of carved tequila marinated roast beef with taro root vegetable and wild citrus salmon with autumn vegetable salad. For used toothpicks and cocktail napkins and other such items, Chair-man Mills provided attractive perforated-silver receptacles.
The entertainment included a performance by singer Matt Dusk and a combination dance and trampoline routine choreographed by Debra Brown of Cirque du Soleil fame—both York alumnae.