Get inspired with the latest ideas in cannabis services, catering, and more in and around Toronto.
Toronto startup Temperance Cocktails was founded by Haritha Gnanaratna and Audra Williams and offers pre-made options to non-drinkers that are on par with, if not better than, their alcoholic counterparts. Gnanaratna, who formerly worked in the hospitality industry, and Williams, who is a non-drinker, grew tired of the juice, soda, and water typically on offer at events. Their bottled mocktails have popped up at the Toronto Queer Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Centre for Social Innovation.
Photo: Courtesy of Temperance Cocktails
“It’s not just about the food these days. It’s about the whole experience," explains chef Chris Brown, who is collaborating with chef and restaurateur Grant van Gameren at Victor Dries. The duo introduced an asado grill experience with an open-fire cooking station. “People tend to enjoy food being cooked over a wood-fired grill,” says Brown. “But this experience is especially unique because of the interactive, behind-the-scenes experience guests get.”Â
Photo: Alexa Fernando
Toronto-based production house Occupied VR, which provides everything from virtual tours to interactive art to touchscreens, partnered with the nonprofit Mars Discovery District to create a massive installation that included 3-D projections of a digital river filled with garbage for the Nuit Blanche festival. The purpose? To raise awareness about the environment.
Photo: Courtesy of Occupied VR
MDRN Photobooth Company is now offering 360-degree video activations, allowing guests to pose as a camera spins around them capturing their movements. Guests can opt to share their contact information (such as an email address) in order to receive the video. The company says it’s seeing many charities implementing the video activation into their sponsorship packages, which allows them to measure an aspect of return on investment.
Photo: MDRN Photobooth Company
Since marijuana legalization took place in Canada nearly a year ago, cannabis has entered the mainstream, including the addition of cannabis bars at corporate and private events. High Bar Hospitality & Event Group, which provides “budtending” services, will pre-roll your cannabis and bring it to an event. (The company requires that all cannabis be legally purchased before the event via the Ontario Cannabis Store, along with $5 million in liability insurance.) Recently, budtenders set up at the Friendly Stranger’s 25th anniversary party to educate new and experienced users on the products.
Photo: Courtesy of High Bar Hospitality & Event Group
