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Dec.12 - Dec.19, 2004 |
Creating the ultimate risotto in Toronto
The Gold Spoon competition brings local chefs, students and celebrity judges together
By Francesca Iacobelli
Originally Published: 2004-02-29
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Lino Collevecchio
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Along a white corridor with sunlight streaming on the rows of tables, dozens of professional chefs and students from George Brown College, meticulously prepared and watched over pots of risotto. Meanwhile, inside the dark Sala Caboto of Villa Colombo, a head table of judges, including Food Network hosts Christine Cushing and Elizabeth Baird, sampled 21 different types of risotto.
Over 200 people paid $100 a ticket for the 2nd Gold Spoon Risotto Competition on Sunday, February 22 to raise money for Villa Charities.
Villa Charities is a charitable, non-profit umbrella organization for community groups such as the Columbus Centre, Vita Community Living Services and other cultural, social, educational and health organizations.
Guests were able to sample the risotto creations, and there was a blind taste-test for the best risotto. Last year's winner, Gabriele Aganelli of Romagna Mia Ristorante, handed the 18kt, $11,000 solid "Gold Spoon" to this year's winner, Lino Collevecchio of Via Allegro Ristorante in west Toronto.
The competition is actually in two parts, since the 21 competitors are already winners of the Brunello "Silver Spoon." These winners are users of Brunello Imports (Italian wines, olive oils, pasta, and other items) and have been chosen by James Savona of Brunello Imports Inc. This final group of competitors had their choice of rice, including carnaroli "the King of Italian Rices," the popular arborio, and the short-grain vialone nano.
Guests were also treated to a number of other delicacies from the chefs, as well as an assortment of wines as part of the cocktail reception.
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