In the midst of a dreary winter, Toronto hipsters enjoy escaping to a hot club with music and decor that suggest life in the sunny south. Nataly Spudic, senior events manager for the Canadian Film Centre, delivered that illusion in spades during the organization's 13th annual gala and auction at Kool Haus. The event, dubbed Cubanisimo!, was a celebration of Cuba—complete with sizzling Latin grooves from the Quadrosonic Afro-Cuban Percussion Group and a dance performance by a troupe of barely clad showgirls from mycorporateifesta.com."We transformed the Kool Haus into a veritable Cuban oasis with tall, majestic palm trees and a warm, lively colour scheme with hot pink, orange, and red tones," said Spudic. The evening kicked off with a cocktail reception featuring hors d'oeuvres such as guava-glazed pork tenderloin on masa toast with achiote green tomato jam and garlic-roasted Cuban lobster tails on plantain pancakes with coriander cress and cream.
After a welcome address by MHis Excellency Ernesto Antonio Senti Darias, Ambassador Embassy of the Republic of Cuba, guests took their seats for a five-course dinner, prepared jointly by chef Justo Perez of Varadero, Cuba, chef Brad Moore of Toronto's Xacutti restaurant, and Presidential Gourmet Fine Catering.
The meal began with black bean soup with yucca chips and sour cream, followed by champagne-butter poached prawns with cumin scented white beans and guava sorbet. The main course was comprised of char-grilled beef tenderloin with boniatos mash, sweet onion frites, and mango salsa. Dessert was a rum-raisin torta with coconut ice cream and pineapple relish.
Forget Me Not Flowers contributed to the Cuban party theme with tropical centerpieces, while Westbury National Show Systems lit the tables in hot pinks and reds. The entertainment included cigar-rolling demonstrations courtesy of Havana House.
After a welcome address by MHis Excellency Ernesto Antonio Senti Darias, Ambassador Embassy of the Republic of Cuba, guests took their seats for a five-course dinner, prepared jointly by chef Justo Perez of Varadero, Cuba, chef Brad Moore of Toronto's Xacutti restaurant, and Presidential Gourmet Fine Catering.
The meal began with black bean soup with yucca chips and sour cream, followed by champagne-butter poached prawns with cumin scented white beans and guava sorbet. The main course was comprised of char-grilled beef tenderloin with boniatos mash, sweet onion frites, and mango salsa. Dessert was a rum-raisin torta with coconut ice cream and pineapple relish.
Forget Me Not Flowers contributed to the Cuban party theme with tropical centerpieces, while Westbury National Show Systems lit the tables in hot pinks and reds. The entertainment included cigar-rolling demonstrations courtesy of Havana House.
Tropical centrepieces from Forget Me Not Flowers decorated tables at Kool Haus during Canadian Film Centre's annual fund-raiser.
Cuban showgirls from mycorporateifesta.com entertained guests during the event.
Westbury National Show Systems lit the dinner tables in hot pinks and reds.
Event host and Canadian film personality Wendy Crewson wore tropical garb.
