A Glorious GALA
Our Gala Dinner and Auction fundraiser at The Elora Mill on Sunday, March 9 was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who attended, to our generous Sponsors and Auction lot donors. Some lucky guests went home with fantastic and unique Auction lot packages after plenty of exciting bidding action, all in support of the School. Food, wines and the gorgeous venue got rave reviews. We are thrilled with the results of the event!
Reception
Guests arrived to bubbles from Lighthall Vineyards, provided by Nicholas Pearce Wines, cocktails by Nickel 9 Distillery, and a gorgeous array of canapés, including a raclette station, freshly shucked oysters, charcuterie, shrimp cocktail, and Chef Ryan Crawford's parmesan wheel Cacio e Pepe with caviar!
Dinner
Guests savoured a decadent seated three course dinner, which included bread service by Ryan Crawford's Roxanne Bread from his Itty Bitty Farm Co., and began with an appetizer by Stratford Chefs School of Beetroot-Cured Salmon with baby beets, winter radishes, rye crisps, and horseradish cream. Elora Mill prepared the main course of Beef Striploin, with potato en croûte, BBQ maiitake mushroom, tomato aioli, and mustard jus. To complete the meal, the School team created a roasted white chocolate Panna Cotta, with seville orange, olive oil, and marcona almonds for dessert, plus a selection of sweets from the SCS Pastry Kitchen to take home.
Stratford Chefs School's kitchen team was led by Chef Instructors Randi Rudner and Mike Booth, with Student Chefs from the Graduating Class of 2025 and Level 1 Students. The Elora Mill team was led by Executive Chef Dacha Markovic.
Wines
Dinner was enjoyed with Pearl Morissette 2021 Dix-Neuvième Chardonnay and Boutinot 2023 Cuvée Jean-Paul Rouge, thanks to Pearl Morissette Winery, Amanda Bradley, and Noble Estates Fine Wine and Spirits.
Auction Action
Our exciting Live Auction was helmed by auctioneer extraordinaire Brent Shackleton and the night's emcee, Board Member Alex Kastner. Intense bidding produced fantastic results for this critical fundraiser! Highlights included the popular 'Richmond Station Comes to Your House' dinner and wine package for eight guests, as well as the 'Summer's Seasonal Bounty' garden dining experience for twelve guests, made possible by Board Chair Nigel Howard and Ruth Howard, Randi Rudner, Mike Booth, and the School. Another favourite was the 'Wine and Dine in Niagara-on-the-Lake' package for twelve guests, made possible by Ryan Crawford (Class of 1999) and Stratus Vineyards.
The Silent Auction was a huge draw as well! The assortment of fabulous food, wine, and uniquely Stratford packages were a big hit with guests.
Click to view the full Auction Catalogue.
Photo Gallery
Photos by Terry Manzo
Many Thanks!
Venue Partner: Elora Mill Hotel & Spa
Reception Sponsors:
Elora Mill
Nickel 9 Distillery
Ryan Crawford (Class of 1999)
Itty Bitty Farm Co.
Wine Sponsors:
Pearl Morissette Winery
Noble Estates | Fine Wine and Spirits
Nicholas Pearce Wines
Amanda Bradley
Beer Sponsor: Elora Brewing Company
Auction Sponsor: Brent Shackleton, Shackleton’s Real Estate and Auction Co.
Decor Sponsor: Hilary Rigo | Wildwood Floral + Event Design
Special Thanks
Svetlana Atcheva
Neil Baxter
Mark Brown (Class of 2009)
Kathy Bell (Class of 1985)
Mike Booth (Class of 2006)
Christopher Cantlon
Ryan Crawford (Class of 1999)
Alexandra Evans
Heidi Holdsworth
Terry Manzo (Class of 1985)
Dacha Markovic
Jocelyn Maurice
Erin Negus (Class of 2014)
Jennifer Otter-Leaney
Randi Rudner (Class of 2012)
Conor Scully
SCS Graduating Class of 2025
Auction Donors
Rocco Agostino (Class of 1998)
Alo Food Group
Artage Portraits
Arterra Wines Canada
Svetlana Atcheva
Summer Baird (Class of 1998)
Neil Baxter
Jennifer Belanger
Rod Beattie
Lesley Biehn
Mike Booth (Class of 2006)
Donna Borooah (Class of 2016)
Amanda Bradley
Bradshaws & Kitchen Detail
Mark Brown (Class of 2009)
Cambridge Mill
Anne Campion
Christopher Cantlon
Katy Chan (Class of 2018)
Aaron Ciancone (Class of 1997)
City of Stratford
Le Clos Jordanne Winery
Kim Cosgrove (Class of 2003)
Ryan Crawford (Class of 1999)
Death In Venice Gelato
Ryan Donovan (Class of 2005)
Elora Mill Hotel & Spa
Enoteca Sociale
Alexandra Evans
Jill Fisher (Class of 2004)
Ashley Fry (Class of 2015)
Mike Fry (Class of 2015)
Gadsby’s Clothing Co.
The Gate
Stev George (Class of 1995)
Glazed Cake Co.
Grazing Meadows Wagyu Farm
Jonathan Gushue
Daniel Hadida
Deanna Harrington (Class of 1993)
Carl Heinrich (Class of 2005)
The Hintonburg Public House
Deanna Horton
Nigel and Ruth Howard
Inn on Britannia B & B
Itty Bitty Farm Co.
Alex Kastner
John Kastner
Patrick Kriss
David Lester & Uku Vastopa
Lighthouse Lemonade
Michael Lutzmann
Jocelyn Maurice
Rob Mazzuca
Grace McGartland
Mike McKenna
Stephan McQueen
Maria Moessner
Neon Commissary Catering
Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
Dennis and Laurie Nuhn
Ryan O’Donnell (Class of 2010)
Kaya Ogruce (Class of 2011)
Olivea Restaurant
Opimian Society Wine Club
Jennifer Otter-Leaney
Pearl Morissette Winery
Pearle Hospitality
Perth County Inn
Philadelphia Phillies
Pizzeria Libretto
Poppy's Bagel and Bakery
Tim and Donna Prior
Carrie Rau (Class of 2004)
The Relic Lobby Bar
Restaurant Pearl Morissette
revel
Rhéo Thompson Candies
Richmond Station
Eric Robertson (Class of 2011)
Rogers & Company
Randi Rudner (Class of 2012)
RPM Bakehouse
Ulises Sanchez
Conor Scully
Megan Smith-Harris
The Starlight
Stratford Chefs School
Stratford Festival
Stratford Film Festival
Stratford Symphony Orchestra
Stratus Vineyards
Rob Thomson
The Three Houses Inn
Kathy Vassilakos
Whistle Bear Golf Club
Bruce Whitaker
Carrie and Jeremy Wreford
Fund Development Committee
Amanda Bradley (co-Chair)
Alex Kastner (co-Chair)
Kim Cosgrove (Class of 2003)