Sopexa, France's food and beverage marketing and promotion board, is known as a demanding client. The board hosts 31 Ap?ritif ? la Fran?aise events around the world to promote French alcohol—and it prefers its venues fresh and new. Which is what led it to the recently renovated Panorama Restaurant, perched high on the 55th floor of the Manulife Centre.
Sopexa, which worked with Kontent Publishing to put together the event, was nothing short of hands-on in the selection of the restaurant. But organizing the pairing of food and drink was left in the capable hands of Deborah Lewis, vice president of Kontent, and Sebastien Centner, director of Eatertainment Special Events and Catering. In attendance at the event were Michael King, C.E.O. and group creative director of Kontent, and Jeanne Beker, editor in chief of FQ magazine and host of Fashion Television.
As eclectic world beats played in the background, Eatertainment's chefs presented appetizers that complemented a diverse French beverage menu. Some of the pairings included beer and aperitif wines with Roquefort amuse-bouche, roast pear and crispy leek; Champagne and sparkling wines with smoked duck with prunes and cassis; and vodka with beef tartare on straw potato rosti.
But the menu wasn't the only pairing going on. Models in turn-of-the-century Parisian costumes strolled around the venue, mingling with guests and lounging on furniture from French furniture designer and event sponsor Roche Bobois. The pieces were carefully selected to complement the venue, resulting in a palette of cocoa, black, and beige splayed across a collage of sleek sofas, contemporary furniture, and plush, colourful pillows.
Later in the evening, the guests, including Toronto-area politicians, celebrities, and socialites, were treated to a performance by Opera Atelier, a baroque theatre company based in Toronto.
—Patrick Allossery
Sopexa, which worked with Kontent Publishing to put together the event, was nothing short of hands-on in the selection of the restaurant. But organizing the pairing of food and drink was left in the capable hands of Deborah Lewis, vice president of Kontent, and Sebastien Centner, director of Eatertainment Special Events and Catering. In attendance at the event were Michael King, C.E.O. and group creative director of Kontent, and Jeanne Beker, editor in chief of FQ magazine and host of Fashion Television.
As eclectic world beats played in the background, Eatertainment's chefs presented appetizers that complemented a diverse French beverage menu. Some of the pairings included beer and aperitif wines with Roquefort amuse-bouche, roast pear and crispy leek; Champagne and sparkling wines with smoked duck with prunes and cassis; and vodka with beef tartare on straw potato rosti.
But the menu wasn't the only pairing going on. Models in turn-of-the-century Parisian costumes strolled around the venue, mingling with guests and lounging on furniture from French furniture designer and event sponsor Roche Bobois. The pieces were carefully selected to complement the venue, resulting in a palette of cocoa, black, and beige splayed across a collage of sleek sofas, contemporary furniture, and plush, colourful pillows.
Later in the evening, the guests, including Toronto-area politicians, celebrities, and socialites, were treated to a performance by Opera Atelier, a baroque theatre company based in Toronto.
—Patrick Allossery