Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet Charity Gala

The annual Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet Charity Gala happened last Saturday night, with funds raised going towards The Canadian Cancer Society. The gala was in full swing shortly after the doors opened. There were fifteen restaurant sponsors, that included HY's Steakhouse, Joe Fortes, JOEY Restaurant, Nu Greek, Provence Marinaside & Mediterranean Grill, Raincity Grill, Soirette, HousexGuest, Hart House, Establishment, Federico's Supper Club, C Restaurant, Terra Breads, Bosa Foods and Caffe Artigiano. They all provided wonderfully delicious food in bite sizes that had everyone going back for more! Belvedere Vodka was also a primary drink sponsor, and the bar tenders were having fun pouring drinks for guests through the ice sculpture! 

A new meaning to ice cold drinks!

Clockwise from top left: Salmon C Stix, Tuna Belly Tartar with seaweed potato chip, Sauteed Jumbo Prawns with Garlic, Hy's Meatballs, Black Truffle Sac Cottini Pasta Chip, Rabbit Rillette.

Clockwise from top left: Mushroom Crostini, Tuna Chopsticks, AAA Beef Steak Salad, Smoked Tomato Gazpacho, Crab Tarts, African Peanut Soup.

Macarons, Scallop Ceviche, Prawn Cocktail, Red Velvet Mousse.

Huge 3L and 1.5L bottles of Belvedere Vodka.

Miss World Canada and Mr Canada also made an appearance at the Gala.

There was a silent auction going on throughout the night, with many wonderful items up for grabs donated by various sponsors. This was the first year they used cell phones to place in bids, and I think it made it a lot easier (and addictive!) putting in your bids. I certainly was bidding on a number of things!

A live auction, led by "Auctiontainer" Letitia Frye, had people bidding on everything from cakes and guitars to trips and a 20-person suite for The Legends of the Summer JT/Jay-Z Tour!

The gorgeous cakes in the dessert auction from (left to right) Ganache Patisserie, Faubourg, Gretchen's Here and Now, Le Gateau Bakshop, Thomas Haas.

Kid Carson led a game of Heads and Tails, with the winner walking away with a beautiful Franck Muller watch, donated by Rodeo Jewellers, valued at over $16,000. In order to participate, you had to purchase a pair of gold sunglasses for $20. Kid Carson flipped a coin, and whoever chose heads/tails got to stay in the game, until there was only one person left standing.

The lucky winner!

Franck Muller timepiece.

The rest of the evening was dedicated to music, first with Canadian pop and R&B star Rosette. The crowd loved her performance, and she even did some covers of other well known songs, which people sang along to.

Colin James, another Canadian superstar, hit the stage next and played for the rest of the evening. Everyone started getting up and dancing by this point, and it was just a ton of fun!

The Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet Gala was a smash, with such great food, drinks and entertainment! I had a great time (and won a silent auction item!) and I certainly hope a lot of funds were raised from the evening. The Canadian Cancer Society funds innovative research that focuses on cancer prevention and life beyond cancer, so even were not able to attend the gala, please consider donating to this worthy cause!