#SPOTTED: KRISTEN KISH, TOM COLICCHIO AND GAIL SIMMONS IN TORONTO FOR “TOP CHEF DESTINATION CANADA”

This is such a huge affirmative moment for Canada! We know our food scene is incredible and it’s time the world finds out. As you might know, this current 22nd season of Bravo’s Top Chef is set here in Canada with some episodes taking place in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, P.E.I. and more. Cooking challenges are all a special Canadian context as chefs compete for glory. New episodes air Thursday nights at 9 PM ET on Bravo. We cannot wait to see who takes the crown!

Coming back to Toronto after filming here late last Summer, were Top Chef judges Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, and Kristen Kish. A bash brought to us by Destination Toronto, was held at TIFF Lightbox celebrating the series’ new season and the food at a reception before a panel (moderated by Amy Rosen) and screening couldn’t have been any better, with Food Dudes paying tribute to ingredients from some of the Canadian cities in the current season of the beloved cooking competition. Guests enjoyed a Raw Bar, Duck, Ravioli, plus an array of delectable pass-arounds.

Some highlights from the night, attended by several notables including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow:

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(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: CANADIAN FILM FEST 2024 OPENING NIGHT RED CARPET

Canadian Film Fest (CFF) 2024 kicked off its six-day festival on Monday, March 18 at Scotiabank Theatre with the Toronto debut of Ian Harnarine’s feature film Doubles.

CFF welcomed cast and crew from Doubles as well as the other filmmakers screening their work at this year’s festival.

The Burning Season is set to cap-off the Festival as the Closing Night Gala on March 23, 2024.

CFF was also honoured to welcome Mayor Olivia Chow, who shared remarks prior to the screening. Also in attendance.

Bern Euler, Executive Director/Founder, CFF

Ashleigh Rains, Festival Director, CFF

Jen Pogue, Director of Industry, CFF

Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik

Naomi Snieckus, Actor

Photos below:

The evening concluded with a Q&A with Ian Harnarine hosted by Teri Hart.

Canadian Film Fest continues until March 23, full programme here.

(Photo credit: Brian Simon)

#TIFF23: DAY NINE SIGHTINGS – SYLVESTER STALLONE AND ANDY LAU

…and that’s a wrap for us! What a TIFF it’s been! And while we were a bit worried about being impacted by a smaller number of talent coming through, somehow we still found ourselves putting in the same amount of time and enjoying the Films just as much as we usually do.

A notable theme among some of our favourites this year was a deep exploration of male-female dynamics as we see the world through a post-#MeToo lens. Some of our favourite films namely MEMORY, DADDIO, THE ROYAL HOTEL and FAIR PLAY, explored deeply-intricate and complex human interactions, which we actually have been craving after periods of isolation these past few years.

While we still have a few movies to see, the star sighting has capped-off for us and we hope you’ve had fun on our adventures! It was so amazing getting to meet some of you in-person finally, old supporters and new!

Day nine sightings were actually loaded were mega-starpower. We saw Sylvester Stallone at TIFF Bell Lightbox heading to his In-Conversation, which we are hearing was amazing. Tomorrow he premieres his Netflix Documentary SLY at Roy Thomson Hall.

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Some additional Snaps from our David Baldwin who attended the event:

The legend himself, Sylvester Stallone! #TIFF23 pic.twitter.com/y4zffsGhmX

— Dave Baldwin @ #TIFF23 (@davemabaldwin) September 15, 2023

You know we love our Andy Lau and it was amazing seeing the Chinese-Canadian community come out in droves to see this icon, whose career has spanned five decades. Incredible! He walked the Carpet with Director Ning Hao at Roy Thomson Hall.

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A huge thanks again to our supporters and partners including:

CP24
Acura Canada
Cabano’s Cheeseburgers
Starbucks Canada
H&M Canada
Happy Natural Products
Arterra Wines

A reel of highlights here:

Catch-up on all our coverage here.

So grateful for the help of David Baldwin, Amanda Gilmore, George Kozera and Nicholas Porteous for their review contributions!

Until next year! Trust me, we’ve earned some rest!

Mr. Will