Toronto's Top Culinary Fundraiser Eat to the Beat Celebrates 20 Delectable Years

TORONTO - July 8, 2015 - PRLog -- Sixty top female chefs have signed up to lend their support to make the 20th Anniversary of Willow’s Eat to the Beat an evening not to be missed.  The event, which will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 7 pm at Roy Thomson Hall (60 Simcoe Street, Toronto) benefits Willow Breast & Hereditary Support, a not-for-profit organization that offers free peer support to anyone coping with breast cancer. Tickets are $175 (with a tax receipt) and include all food and beverages.  For tickets or to see the line-up of chefs to date as well as beverage participants, please visit www.eattothebeat.ca or call 416.778.6314 x 236.

“Willow’s role in a person’s journey with breast cancer and other hereditary forms of cancer is undeniably important in making sure caring and compassionate support and valuable information is there when they need it most,” states Karen Malone, Executive Director of Willow Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support.  “Proceeds raised from Eat to the Beat go directly to our programs and services that Willow offers which are vital in ensuring that women and their families are supported throughout every stage of the individual’s diagnosis and treatment.”

Guests will have access to 60 female chefs, who are donating their time and talent for the event, and will tantalize guests by personally preparing their delectable specialties on-site.  Mouthwatering sweet and savory delicacies, premium beers, wines and spirits will prove irresistible temptations for Toronto’s foodies and Willow supporters and will be set up around Roy Thomson’s Hall’s outer lobby while Toronto band Arden & The Tourists perform.

“Celebrating 20 years is a significant milestone in the history of Eat to the Beat and we are so grateful to our participating chefs, sponsors and supporters who have helped to make Eat to the Beat Toronto’s must-attend culinary event and fundraiser over the years,” says Barbara Track, Eat to the Beat Co-Chair.

Chefs that have signed up to date include:  Sandra Abballe (Succulent Chocolates); Wanda Beaver (Wanda’s Pie in the Sky); Renée Bellefeuille (Art Gallery of Ontario); Arvinda Chauhan (Arvinda’s); Kyla Eaglesham (Madeleines Cherry Pie and Ice Cream); Alexandra Feswick (The Drake Hotel); Bonnie Gordon (Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionary Arts); Kimberly Humby (East & Main Bistro/Pomodoro); Anna Janes (Cocomira Confections); Leyla Kizilimak (Art Square Gallery and Café); Jacqueline Lo (Ruelo Patisserie); Kimberley Lugsdin (Catering by Kimberley); Joshna Maharaj (Ryerson University); Erin Marcus (Ace Bakery); Joan Monfaredi (Park Hyatt Hotel); Catherine O’Donnell (Willow Cakes and Pastries); Angela Panigas (The Sultan's Tent & Café Moroc); Jennifer Perusini (BerBer Social); Karen Rachlin (Bite Catering); Emily Richards (Professional Home Economist); Dufflet Rosenberg (Dufflet Pastries); Trista Sheen (Crush Wine Bar); Lili Sullivan (Waupoos Winery); Karen Viva-Haynes (Viva Tastings);  Vanessa Yeung (Aphrodite Cooks); and many more.

“Our participating chefs, many of whom have been with us from our early days, are planning exquisite culinary treats to commemorate our 20th anniversary of women helping women in support of Willow,” adds Cathy Park, who is co-chairing Eat to the Beat.

Started 20 years ago by Lisa and Abby Slater, Eat to the Beat has raised more than $3.7 million for Willow. In keeping with tradition and adding a bit of sass with class, the event will also feature breast cancer survivors modelling original food-inspired corsets that they have created.

In 2015 an estimated 25,000 women and 200 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada. From the individual diagnosed, to their family, friends and caregivers, Willow Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support provides free support and information.

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About Willow Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support

Willow Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support, founded in 1994, is a national not-for-profit organization that provides free support, insight and information to anyone affected by breast or hereditary cancer, including those at high risk. From the individual diagnosed, to family and caregivers, Willow endeavours to ensure that no one needs to face it alone. For more information please visit www.willow.org.

For additional information and/or media interviews about Eat to the Beat, please contact:

Peter Ashworth/Ashley Lloyd | Ashworth Associates Public Relations | 416-603-6005 peter@ashworthassociates.com | ashley@ashworthassociates.com

Norma Meneguzzi Spall | The Results Group PR | 416-686-9110 | norma@theresultsgrouppr.com

Shana Coppen | Willow Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support | 416-778-6314 ext 229 | scoppen@willow.org