Inspired by Chicago's molecular gastronomy movement, three local firms joined together to produce an offbeat cocktail party on Tuesday for insurance claims professionals attending the joint CICMA/CIAA conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Giffin Koerth Forensic Engineering; Blouin, Dunn L.L.P.; and Cameron & Associates worked with Chris MacKechnie of Slingshot Inc. to create the event, entitled "Accidents Deconstructed," at the newly renovated Loose Moose on Front Street.
"We couldn't go nuts with decor, food, or rentals, so the challenge was staging a really cool event on a tight budget," MacKechnie said.Rainy weather ruined plans for an accident scene on the street outside the bar, but a taped outline of a victim awaited guests in the lobby, along with two models. Three stations with costumed servers played up the theme of the event, each representing one of the hosting firms. Servers at the "Mad Science Shooter Bar" (a table decorated with bottles and beakers) offered shooters in test tubes. At the "Desserts on Trial" station, a server caramelized crème brûlée with a blowtorch and made ice cream with a canister of liquid nitrogen. At the back of the bar, the "Bomb Shelter" station offered shots of Red Bull and Jägermeister. Servers passed pub fare like chicken wings and quesadillas to go with the drinks.
Instead of decor, MacKechnie used one-minute loops from black-and-white horror films and Perry Mason movies on the flat-screen TVs mounted around the room. Models from Icing mingled with the close to 200 guests, many who received invites at the conference. Attendees described the event as "imaginative," "cozy," and, above all, "convenient" due to its proximity to the convention centre. Last year's event was held at Steamwhistle Brewing.
"We couldn't go nuts with decor, food, or rentals, so the challenge was staging a really cool event on a tight budget," MacKechnie said.Rainy weather ruined plans for an accident scene on the street outside the bar, but a taped outline of a victim awaited guests in the lobby, along with two models. Three stations with costumed servers played up the theme of the event, each representing one of the hosting firms. Servers at the "Mad Science Shooter Bar" (a table decorated with bottles and beakers) offered shooters in test tubes. At the "Desserts on Trial" station, a server caramelized crème brûlée with a blowtorch and made ice cream with a canister of liquid nitrogen. At the back of the bar, the "Bomb Shelter" station offered shots of Red Bull and Jägermeister. Servers passed pub fare like chicken wings and quesadillas to go with the drinks.
Instead of decor, MacKechnie used one-minute loops from black-and-white horror films and Perry Mason movies on the flat-screen TVs mounted around the room. Models from Icing mingled with the close to 200 guests, many who received invites at the conference. Attendees described the event as "imaginative," "cozy," and, above all, "convenient" due to its proximity to the convention centre. Last year's event was held at Steamwhistle Brewing.
Photo: Gary Beechey
Photo: Gary Beechey
Photo: Gary Beechey
Photo: Gary Beechey
Photo: Gary Beechey
Photo: Gary Beechey
Photo: Gary Beechey