Around Town: Wellington West chefs lend helping dish for Parkdale Food Centre gala

Wellington West is one of the trendiest ‘hoods in town. Yet, behind its popular restaurants and rising home prices is a marginalized population living in poverty.

Many of these struggling folks regularly turn to their community food bank, the Parkdale Food Centre, for help. It was the beneficiary of the Branching Out Gala held Thursday at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, better known as the home of the Great Canadian Theatre Company.

Absinthe, Allium, Bar Laurel, Dish, Supply & Demand, Urban Element, Thyme & Again and Holland’s Cake & Shake kept a crowd of 150 guests fed with their signature dishes. There was also tasty beer from Beyond the Pale to wash it down.

The generosity of the culinary community isn’t limited to a one-night gala affair, said Parkdale Food Centre manager and recognized community builder Karen Secord. “We couldn’t do what we do every week without them,” she added. “They have been so amazingly supportive.”

From left, Parkdale Food Centre board chair Len Fardella with its manager, Karen Secord, and Patrick Garland, chef and owner of Absinthe CafÈ, one of the neighbourhood businesses out supporting the fundraiser for the community food bank, held at The GCTC.

On hand for the benefit were the food centre’s board chair, Len Fardella, as well as the head of its fundraising, Hilary McVey.

From left, Hilary McVey, head of fundraising for the Parkdale Food Centre, with local business supporter Laryssa Korbutiak, co-owner of Oresta Organic Skin Care, at the Branching Out Gala held at the home of The GCTC on Thursday, June 23, 2016, to raise funds for the community food bank.

Gala organizers hoped to raise $20,000 through $100-ticket sales and silent auction proceeds, with the money helping to provide their clients with wholesome food during the centre’s usual slow summer donation season. The food bank helps at least 800 people each month, and its numbers are on the rise.

The Parkdale Food Centre also runs cooking workshops on how to prepare simple and healthy meals, led by volunteer professional chefs.

It re-located early last year, through an Ontario grant, private donations and volunteer effort, to bigger and better basement space in the Hintonburg branch of the Somerset West Community Health Centre at 30 Rosemount Ave.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca