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  1. Venues & Destinations
  2. Canada
  3. Toronto

Colliers International Entertains Clients With Cooking Lessons From Michael Bonacini

Carla Warrilow
July 20, 2011
Guests donned aprons over their evening wear at a private event for real estate firm Colliers International the night of July 13. Beginning in Cirillo’s Culinary Academy, 40 of Colliers’ top clients received a cooking lesson from Toronto chef Michael Bonacini, owner of restaurants Canoe, Auberge du Pommier, and Luma, among others. Guests were each assigned to a cooking station where, after a quick demonstration, they helped make one of four courses. The meal was served downstairs at winery Vintage One, and each course was paired with its wines.

Colliers hosts events such as this one for clients on a quarterly basis, offering unique experiences, from sailing to Scotch tasting. “Our goal was to do something really intimate and provide an experience that [our clients] could never have on their own. Anyone can go golfing,” said Chrystal LeBlanc, marketing specialist at Colliers International. LeBlanc has noticed a shift away from branding and a renewed focus on client experience within professional service events. In keeping with this observation, the entire evening was devoid of sponsorship and branding. “It’s really all about the client experience instead of the brand,” she said.  

Another important goal for Colliers was to develop stronger relationships with their clients. “We have the chance to sit beside them for an entire dinner,”  LeBlanc said. Guests and Colliers agents also cooked side by side before the meal.

After dinner, guests could fill and cork their own bottle of wine from Vintage One. Each guest also received a signed copy of Bonacini’s newest book, Three Chefs: The Kitchen Men, and recipes for the meal. Latin jazz band Lady Son y Articulo Veinte played in the winery.

E21042sub
Photo: Josh Fee
Chef Michael Bonacini greeted the guests at Cirillo's Cooking Academy.
Chef Michael Bonacini greeted the guests at Cirillo's Cooking Academy.
Photo: Josh Fee
Guests received instruction from a chef while preparing lemon posset for dessert.
Guests received instruction from a chef while preparing lemon posset for dessert.
Photo: Josh Fee
After guests helped cook the meal, chef John Cirillo (centre) and other assisting chefs put the finishing touches on the food.
After guests helped cook the meal, chef John Cirillo (centre) and other assisting chefs put the finishing touches on the food.
Photo: Josh Fee
Dinner was served at the next door winery, Vintage One.
Dinner was served at the next door winery, Vintage One.
Photo: Josh Fee
In the wine cellar, clear chairs lined the winery's harvest tables. Dim lights and candles provided ambience.
In the wine cellar, clear chairs lined the winery's harvest tables. Dim lights and candles provided ambience.
Photo: Josh Fee
Alejandra De Miguel, owner of Vintage One, explained the wine pairings that went with the evening's meal.
Alejandra De Miguel, owner of Vintage One, explained the wine pairings that went with the evening's meal.
Photo: Josh Fee
Colliers International clients and representatives dined together at the long table.
Colliers International clients and representatives dined together at the long table.
Photo: Josh Fee
Tealight candles were placed on barrels of wine in the cellar.
Tealight candles were placed on barrels of wine in the cellar.
Photo: Josh Fee
Guests made crispy skinned cold-water char for the second course.
Guests made crispy skinned cold-water char for the second course.
Photo: Josh Fee
Guests also prepared pan-roasted beef tenderloin with braised beef cheek and tongue.
Guests also prepared pan-roasted beef tenderloin with braised beef cheek and tongue.
Photo: Josh Fee
Guests could bottle and cork their own wine from Vintage One.
Guests could bottle and cork their own wine from Vintage One.
Photo: Josh Fee
Each guest received a signed copy of Bonacini's new book, Three Chefs: The Kitchen Men, as well as recipes from the evening.
Each guest received a signed copy of Bonacini's new book, Three Chefs: The Kitchen Men, as well as recipes from the evening.
Photo: Josh Fee
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