where jess ate

October 21st, 2014 marked the 19th year of the annual Eat to the Beat (@EattotheBeat_TO) event. In support of Willow Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support (@WillowTweeting), the evening raised an impressive $216,857!

Willow is a not-for-profit organization that offers free peer support to anyone coping with breast cancer. Needless to say, the event is for a wonderful cause. With the help of sixty talented female chefs and incredible volunteers who donated their time and resources, Eat to the Beat was yet another success.

The evening was truly a food-lover’s dream. Taking place at Roy Thompson Hall, the venue was packed with food and drink stations. It’s guaranteed you’ll be rolling out of the event in a happy food coma.

Here’s my recap of the 19th annual Eat to the Beat evening:

Chinese Baked Buns with nappa slaw, chill aioli & beef brisket (Vanessa Yeung from @AphroditeCooks)

BBQ Chicken Bite on maple cornbread, apple fennel slaw & blue cheese drizzle (Julia Ho and Sarah Amaral from the @ParkHyattTO)

Smoked Salmon with wasabi creme fraiche & peach jam (Mei Cheng and Nicole Douglas from @georgeonqueen)

Roasted Pork Belly with crabapple glaze & pink sauerkraut (Anne Yarymowich from George Brown College Chef School @GBCollege)

Lobster Grilled Cheese with smoked water buffalo cheddar (Kimberly Humby from East & Main)

Chor Muang – flower shaped dumpling filled with minced chicken (Nuit Regular from @PaiToronto & @sabaisabaito)

Crepes (Véronique from @crepesagogoTO)

Ricotta & Roasted Red Pepper Crostini (Emily Richards from Professional Home Economist)

Moroccan Hummus Cone with pesto (Angela Panigas from @TheSultansTent & Cafe Moroc)

Malt Salt Fish on a chip with lemon confit remoulade, beer batter bits, pickled carrots & pea shoots (Elaine Wong from @KingEddyHotel)

Grilled Pork Belly Taco with pickled apple and coconut creme fraiche (Trista Sheen from @CrushWineBarTO)

Scone Bite with caramelized onions & bacon (Erin Featherstone and Sandra Katsiou from @bakerandscone)

Jerk Chicken Arancini with jerk chicken, arborio rice, tomato & mozzarella (Valerie Bustros and Tamesha Smith from @Paintbox_Bistro)

Chicken & Waffles (Alexandra Feswick from the @thedrakehotel)

One of the many wines offered at the event

Valrhona Cream Puff with whipped vanilla white chocolate ganache, salted caramel & Kalingo feuilletine (Lindsay Haddock from Scaramouche)

Lime Curd Tarts (Wanda Beaver from @WandaPieSky)

Coconut Mango Panna Cotta (Michelle Edgar from @sweetescapes)

It’s a fantastic event for an incredible cause. Look out for the event again in 2015. Hope to see you all there!