Eating Greens

Frozen vegetables aren't usually considered gourmet fare, but General Mills aimed to convey their great taste at a media launch for the new Green Giant Essentials line Wednesday afternoon. The four frozen vegetable blends—two types of fibre, an omega-3, and an antioxid mixture—accompanied mains prepared by chef and food consultant Dana McCauley.

Inspired by decorative napkins illustrating kitchen and box gardens, interior stylist Janette Ewen decorated Dish Cooking Studio using baskets and bowls filled with a variety of fresh produce. Small cube vases at each place setting held mini kale leaves shaped as flowers, and an ice sculpture of the Green Giant logo greeted guests at the door.As 22 guests dined on one of four prepared lunches featuring the new products—including turkey scallopine and crumb-topped salmon—McCauley and General Mills Canada's registered dietician Pierrette Buklis held a cooking demonstration and took audience questions. General Mills employees will try the meals at an internal launch Thursday

"We chose Dish because it has a high-end boutique feel that reflects the Green Essentials brand," said Catherine Jackson, corporate communications manager at General Mills Canada. Green Giant Essentials debuts in stores the second week of September.