Fundraiser brings out chefs and designers

By Richard Frankel

Inspired by night markets from around the world, Honest Ed’s alley (581 Bloor Street W.) was transformed with art and all-you-can-eat food as hundreds of people from around the city came out on June 20 to raise money for The Stop Community Food Centre.

“In less than 48 hours, we sold 700 tickets,” said Danielle Goldfinger, events coordinator at the food centre. “We have lots of people that have helped put this on. We have designers, and we have sponsors, and lots of chefs and volunteers, so in total we’re seeing about 1,100 people come through this space tonight.

Proceeds from this event help support The Stop’s anti-hunger programs. According to their website, the centre strives to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community and challenges inequality.

Tickets sold for $50 a person and Goldfinger said the organization wanted to make this more accessible as other fundraisers tend to be more expensive.

Chefs from Brockton General and Delica Kitchen joined a slew of local designers including 3rd Uncle Design and Amy Markanda Studio to design a cart for each chef.

“We have over 115 designers and 27 design teams and we gave them a booklet with parameters and dimensions and let them run wild with it,” said Goldfinger.

Goldfinger said Honest Ed’s helped them by providing the venue and navigating the requirements to attain the permit for the street closure.

“It’s a great draw for a great cause and it will be an addition to the Mirvish Village BIA,” said Russell Lazar, the general manager at Honest Ed’s.