Chef, restauranteur, and winner of the inaugural season of Top Chef Canada, Rob Rossi knew exactly how to tackle the challenge, serving up a meal with a Christmas theme. I don't know about you, but Christmas is definitely my favourite holiday, so I didn't mind that it came early!
This way to Christmas!
The event takes place at the Thompson Landry Cooperage Gallery filled with abstect, and eye catching colourful artwork. Then along comes interior design expert Michelle Mawby (@michellemawby) of the Marilyn Dennis Show who then transforms it into a yogurt christmas wonderland, complete with with ice sculptures, christmas lights, ornaments, and holiday spirit.
"Christmas in August"
Oikos Yogurt
Who says there can't be snow in August?
What kind of Christmas would be complete without an ice sculpture and light sabers?
Christmas themed drinks :)
A quick speech from the Chef before dinner commences
Chef, restairanteur and winner of the inaugural season of top chef canada, Rob Rossi knew exactly how to tackle the challenge, coming up with this three course meal:
The Menu
Curried Lentil and Yogurt Soup
Harissa and Yogurt marinated "Yorkshire Valley Farms" Organic Chicken, and Spiced Sweet Potato Mash
And after tasting the oikos greek yogurt, its not hard to understand why Oikos yogurt is the perfect ingredient. The yogurt is extremely thick and creamy, and is almost like cheese (and who doesnt like cheese?). Adds a hearty kick to the dishes. Made the sweet potato mash creamier, and the lentil soup thicker and full of flavour. The Yorkshire Valley Farms (@YVForganic) chicken was my favourite dish, with the meat coming out tender and juicy. Chef rob made a comment that it wasn't spicy enough or him, but my sensitive taste buds thought it was perfect. Goes to show that a good chef always strives for better!
Cider Poached Pears, Candied Walnuts, and Yogurt
The dessert was less down alley in terms of pallet preferences, and I felt the combination was a bit too much. Instead, I had a cup of cherry oikos yogurt and port wine for dessert and it finished off the meal perfectly.
Cherry Yogurt and Port Wine
Happy bellies being filled
Just when the night was coming to an end and we thought the fun was over, the people of Oikos put one last smile on our face with some parting gifts.
Gift bags filled with all things Oikos
So it turns out those snow globes we saw at the very beginning were part of our gifts of the night. Instead of giving us just a snowglobe, they put a picture that we each took with Chef Rob Rossi inside. Captures the spirit of Christmas perfectly. Now everytime I see it on my dresser I'm reminded that my favourite holiday can be any day of the year! :)
Our parting gift to remember the night
Want to send a big big thank you to Dahlia (@dhijazi). Leana (@leannarizzi) , Pamela (@korrelation) of Korrelation Communications, Chef Rob Rossi of Bestellen Restaurant (@BestellenTO), and everyone who was behind the scenes at the event. Your creativity will have me never looking at yogurt in the same way!
So what do you think, fancy cooking with some Oikos tonight? ;)
