Chef's Gala hopes to rekindle romantic flames in Saskatoon
This year's theme for the annual gala — founded by a couple — is romance
Saskatoon's annual Chef's Gala, which was founded by a couple, will this year have a theme of romance and organizers hope it will rekindle old flames and ignite new ones.
The event brings together local chefs and performing arts organizations for an evening of cocktails, food and entertainment. The meal includes seven courses, with each course prepared by a different Saskatoon chef.
Anthony McCarthy and Anastasia Winterhalt started the event together nine years ago.
McCarthy is the executive chef of the Saskatoon Club and the western Canadian vice-president of the Canadian Culinary Foundation, and Winterhalt is the artistic director and founder of Little Opera on the Prairie.
"I was looking for an excuse to have an awards evening for our association, where we give out awards to chef of the year, juniors, our associates and all the members involved," McCarthy told CBC's Saskatchewan Weekend host Shauna Powers.
"We were looking for different avenues as well to tie in with some fundraising, so that's how it started and has since evolved to where we are today," he added.
Combining food with art is a big part of the gala, which is something Winterhalt and McCarthy wanted to do long before the first gala.
"It was sort of in the back of our minds for many, many years," said Winterhalt.
"Culinary arts fits perfectly well with theatre and opera and chamber music."
Eventually McCarthy and Winterhalt combined their resources in the culinary and arts communities and formed the Chef's Gala.
Winterhalt said it has been "an absolute blast."
To reflect this year's theme, the music and food is inspired by famous romantic scenes in movies, including scenes from Love Actually, When Harry Met Sally and You've Got Mail, according to McCarthy and Winterhalt.
The pair said they hope the gala will help rekindle the romantic flame for couples, or impress a first date, all while enjoying top-notch food and entertainment.
The Chef's Gala takes place Feb. 10 at Prairieland Park Hall A.
Tickets are available until Feb. 5.