Gâteau aux Chocolat de Marquis (milk chocolate torte with hazelnut praline & preserved Niagara Bing cherries).
Michael Bonacini, celebrated Food Network host, CityLine guest, chef and restaurateur is set to once again to dazzle the senses at this year’s Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Candlelight Ball on Saturday November 6th, 2010.
This year’s OTMH Gala Joie de Vivre celebrates an evening in Paris, which couldn’t be more befitting for Chef Bonacini. With such talked about and critically acclaimed restaurants as Auberge du Pommier and Biff’s Bistro, Bonacini knows his way around French cuisine.
“We’re delighted to be involved once again in the OTMH Candlelight Ball. The sense of community here in Oakville is really quite special, meaning when Oakvillians rally, they really rally! We consider ourselves fortunate to be part of all this, and to have the opportunity to give back a little on behalf of our staff and guests.” Chef Michael Bonacini, co-owner of Oliver & Bonacini Café Grill, Oakville Place.
Chef Michael Bonacini explains the menu for the 2010 OTMH Candlelight Ball.
We had the pleasure of attending a tasting at Oliver & Bonacini Café Grill in Oakville Place with the event sponsors and OTMH board members to preview the menu. Chef Bonacini was on hand every step of the way to explain the dishes and what made each of them special.
It was a truly unique experience. We expect the guests at this year’s OTMH Candlelight Ball to be wowed by the menu as much as we were!
The Menu
Chef Bonacini, assisted by Oliver & Bonacini Café Grill Executive Chef Markus Bestig, conducted the tasting.
Throughout the tasting, Chef Bonacini highlighted that many of the ingredients on the menu are sourced from local suppliers, including wines from Ontario and British Columbia.
Filet de Boeuf à la Bourguignon aux Céleri Truffe (beef filet with glazed pearl onions, mushrooms & smoked bacon).
Our favourites from this year’s menu include:
Silent Auction
To add to the Joie de Vivre theme, the silent and live auctions will feature some great experiential items, including: a week in a St. Martin villa, a sports getaway in Boston where you will see the Bruins, Celtics and New England Patriots in action, a Muskoka golf package including a round of golf at Oviinbyrd, and a priceless ski experience with former Canadian Olympian, Ed Podivinsky.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase a key for a chance to unlock one of three doors and win a 40’inch Sharp Quattron LED panel TV, courtesy of H2 Systems, an Aquila Pave Light bicycle, courtesy of Racer Sportif and a Quebec City Getaway including airfare and accommodations at Auberge Saint-Antoine, courtesy of McTavish Travel and WestJet.
There’s something for everyone.
About the OTMH Candlelight Ball:
Since 1992, the Candlelight Ball has raised more than $3.8 million to provide life-saving medical equipment for OTMH. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and the close to 650 attendees, Oakville residents continue to have access to top-quality healthcare services, close to home.
About Chef Michael Bonacini:
In addition to running a busy restaurant company, Michael appears regularly on CityTV’s CityLine and sits on advisory boards for Humber and George Brown Colleges. He has served as the food ambassador for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, a consultant to Cara Operations Ltd. and is a passionate supporter of the Stephen Leacock Foundation for Children. In 1996 Michael was awarded the Ontario Hostelry Institute’s first ever Gold Award, recognizing the individual who most significantly impacted the course of culinary excellence in Ontario.