The Royal Ontario Museum's new Michael Lee-Chin Crystal addition served as the backdrop on Wednesday night for a high-stakes mind game in support of R.O.M. research. The social and intellectual event that is the museum's signature "Fact? or Fiction?" fund-raiser began with a cocktail reception for more than 350 guests in the Hyacinth Gloria Chen Crystal Court.
The 11th annual event, sponsored by Sentry Select, challenged the crowd to test their wits in a battle with the museum's curatorial staff. Twenty tables, each bearing a mysterious artifact from the R.O.M.'s collection, were laid out in the majestic Samuel Hall Currelly Gallery adjoining the Crystal Court. The object of the game: to discover which of the two curators was telling the truth about the artifact in question at each of the tables. Participants were encouraged to ask questions about the descriptions given in an effort to determine which was fact and which was fiction.Robert Pierce served as chair of the benefit's organizing committee, and Kirsten Kamper, the museum's development officer for donor events, mingled among the guests throughout the evening, ensuring the fund-raiser came off without a hitch.
Upon arrival through the museum's spectacular new Bloor Street entrance, guests were handed a signature Fact? or Fiction? cocktail of vodka, Grand Marnier, and cranberry and lime juices. A buffet prepared by Mark Jachecki, executive chef of Presidential Gourmet Fine Catering, was served throughout the evening as attendees kept score and played the game. (Among the several tasting stations positioned throughout the space was a tapas display set beneath the Ming Tomb in the museum's Gallery of Chinese Architecture.) A series of plated options at the stations included ricotta and spinach rotolo, cabernet-crusted pickerel, and porcini mushroom risotto.
Small groupings of round tables draped with black cloths and set with simple candles dotted the venue, enabling guests to keep their eyes on the action as they dined. A dessert selection including chocolate pecan ovals and assorted petit fours arrived as guests tallied their scores. Radio personality Humble Howard Glassman awarded the prizes, which included a trip for two on a 13-day tour of Egypt and a commissioned artwork by Canadian landscape painter Jeremy Bortz.
Guests also had the opportunity to purchase the identical prizes donated to the event for the first time this year at a "Feeling unlucky? Buy your prize!" table. The popular event, which raises between $70,000 to $120,000 each year, benefits the R.O.M. Research Endowment Fund.
The 11th annual event, sponsored by Sentry Select, challenged the crowd to test their wits in a battle with the museum's curatorial staff. Twenty tables, each bearing a mysterious artifact from the R.O.M.'s collection, were laid out in the majestic Samuel Hall Currelly Gallery adjoining the Crystal Court. The object of the game: to discover which of the two curators was telling the truth about the artifact in question at each of the tables. Participants were encouraged to ask questions about the descriptions given in an effort to determine which was fact and which was fiction.Robert Pierce served as chair of the benefit's organizing committee, and Kirsten Kamper, the museum's development officer for donor events, mingled among the guests throughout the evening, ensuring the fund-raiser came off without a hitch.
Upon arrival through the museum's spectacular new Bloor Street entrance, guests were handed a signature Fact? or Fiction? cocktail of vodka, Grand Marnier, and cranberry and lime juices. A buffet prepared by Mark Jachecki, executive chef of Presidential Gourmet Fine Catering, was served throughout the evening as attendees kept score and played the game. (Among the several tasting stations positioned throughout the space was a tapas display set beneath the Ming Tomb in the museum's Gallery of Chinese Architecture.) A series of plated options at the stations included ricotta and spinach rotolo, cabernet-crusted pickerel, and porcini mushroom risotto.
Small groupings of round tables draped with black cloths and set with simple candles dotted the venue, enabling guests to keep their eyes on the action as they dined. A dessert selection including chocolate pecan ovals and assorted petit fours arrived as guests tallied their scores. Radio personality Humble Howard Glassman awarded the prizes, which included a trip for two on a 13-day tour of Egypt and a commissioned artwork by Canadian landscape painter Jeremy Bortz.
Guests also had the opportunity to purchase the identical prizes donated to the event for the first time this year at a "Feeling unlucky? Buy your prize!" table. The popular event, which raises between $70,000 to $120,000 each year, benefits the R.O.M. Research Endowment Fund.
\"Fact? or Fiction?\" is the museum's signature benefit.
Photo: Jill Kitchener for BizBash
The museum's new Michael Lee-Chin Crystal addition housed the event.
Photo: Jill Kitchener for BizBash
The dessert selection included chocolate pecan ovals and assorted petit fours.
Photo: Jill Kitchener for BizBash
Guests were asked to choose which of two statements about each artifact was true.
Photo: Jill Kitchener for BizBash
The signature Fact? or Fiction? cocktail contained vodka, Grand Marnier, and cranberry and lime juices.
Photo: Jill Kitchener for BizBash
Guests had the opportunity to purchase prizes identical to those donated to the event.
Photo: Jill Kitchener for BizBash
