Mental health has definitely taken its toll on our culture as a good work-life balance becomes more and more difficult. Thus, awareness and help for those who need it have increasingly been in the limelight, even if it is still a topic that one is not “supposed” to talk about. Toronto’s Houselink, an organization which helps people with mental illness (especially those who are in danger of becoming homeless) and yesterday, sip & Savour, a culinary and wine event was held at the Distillery District in its support. sip & Savour Ontario is dedicated to “bringing education, support and accessibility of Ontario’s local wine, culinary and agricultural industries to the public.”
Featuring chefs such as Charles Kerr and Trista Sheen as well as Ontario wineries, the event featured food stations that included delicious delights such as a pan-roasted halibut sandwich on potato bread (Trista Sheen) and an entire lounge sponsored by Summer Fresh, featuring fresh-cut veggies and their famous dips (best by FAR was the masala hummus). There was also a food station in the lounge with items made from their products. Also delicious were the Le Petit Popelin, decadent cream pastries available at La Bambouche (kind of a mix of macarons, scones and a stuffed Timbit).
In terms of wines, various well-known wineries, including those from the Niagara region such as Inniskilin and Jackson-Triggs were present. Other names included Southbrook Vineyards, known for their organic wines (the red, a Cabernet Savignon, is also “biodynamic”) as well as Sandbanks (the rosé that was available at the tasting, called Love, was excellent).
As with most events, this one included a silent auction, with proceeds going to Houselink. There were also three food demonstrations, including one for steak tartare by Chef Brad Livergant of The Fifth.
