For event planner Cameron Hawkins, the top priority in organizing the kickoff luncheon for the 2008 International Bowl at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel on Friday didn’t revolve around choosing centerpieces or table linens. In fact, the decor—which consisted of football helmets and team pennants placed at the head table—was kept to a minimum.
Instead, Hawkins’s game plan centred on selecting the right menu—a hearty and healthy meal—for the luncheon’s 460 guests, including players for the Ball State Cardinals and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. “We feed them well,” Hawkins said of the athletes in town for the U.S. college football game. “The food for the players is such an important part of the whole bowl week. Every menu is reviewed by the team nutritionists.”Hawkins worked with both teams to ensure that Friday’s lunch—featuring a salad of baby greens served with fontina cheese, charred tomatoes, and artichokes, followed by a 10-ounce black angus New York steak—was balanced with the breakfast and dinner menus being served to the players prior to Saturday's game at the Rogers Centre.
“Bowl games are all about managing little details,” said Hawkins, whose consulting firm, Cameron Hawkins and Associates, helped organize the papal visit to Toronto in 2002 and the Rolling Stones SARS benefit concert in 2003. In addition to the luncheon, Hawkins planned a welcome reception for the players at Casa Loma on Wednesday, coordinated several team pep rallies, and organized a battle of the bands at Nathan Phillips Square.
Instead, Hawkins’s game plan centred on selecting the right menu—a hearty and healthy meal—for the luncheon’s 460 guests, including players for the Ball State Cardinals and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. “We feed them well,” Hawkins said of the athletes in town for the U.S. college football game. “The food for the players is such an important part of the whole bowl week. Every menu is reviewed by the team nutritionists.”Hawkins worked with both teams to ensure that Friday’s lunch—featuring a salad of baby greens served with fontina cheese, charred tomatoes, and artichokes, followed by a 10-ounce black angus New York steak—was balanced with the breakfast and dinner menus being served to the players prior to Saturday's game at the Rogers Centre.
“Bowl games are all about managing little details,” said Hawkins, whose consulting firm, Cameron Hawkins and Associates, helped organize the papal visit to Toronto in 2002 and the Rolling Stones SARS benefit concert in 2003. In addition to the luncheon, Hawkins planned a welcome reception for the players at Casa Loma on Wednesday, coordinated several team pep rallies, and organized a battle of the bands at Nathan Phillips Square.
The health-conscious lunch
Photo: BizBash
The first course featured a salad of baby greens, fontina, charred tomatoes, artichokes, and balsamic-glazed onions.
Photo: BizBash
Football helmets and team pennants dressed the head table and surrounded the International Bowl trophy at Friday's lunch.
Photo: BizBash
