Charity Events.

Culinary Vacations for Lovers of Food and Wine

Gourmet Safari to Morocco Charity Event.

An exotic evening of magnificent food and culture in support of child nutrition programs.

Event at a Glance.

Where? Waterstone Estate and Farms (a short 30 minute drive north of Toronto)

When? Sunday, September 10th, 2006 @ 4pm

Cost? Tickets are just $175 (Early Bird) and $225 (after August 18th).

The Event Invite.

To view the Moroccan-inspired invitation, click here.

The Chair.

In celebration of the launch of Morocco, Gourmet Safari’s latest hot destination, and in support of BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING (the charity that Gourmet Safari is proud to be associated with), the Gourmet Safari to Morocco charity event took off. Jackie DeKnock, Gourmet Safari’s owner Chaired this unique opportunity to combine the exhilarating experience of a “mini” vacation while demonstrating commitment to a great cause. 

Location, Location, Location.

Guests travelled first-class at WaterStone Estate and Farms and marveled at the striking view of over 100-acres of meadow, forest and rolling hills. This beautiful setting further enhanced the Moroccan experience. 

The Passport.

To view the travel passport for the evening, click here.

The Exotic Moroccan Fare.

Sumptuous authentic Moroccan food was savoured as travellers wandered from room to room and tent to tent taking in ‘Morocco’s’ delicious culture.   

The Moroccan Tasting Menu:

Moroccan Ground Beef ‘Cigars’ and Briwats, Vine Leaves and Hummus with Pita bread were served in Rick’s Café. The spicy delight of the “tajine,” savoury salads from Carrot Salad, Beet Salad, Orange Salad to Mixed Roasted Pepper Salad, and couscous were savoured in the Marrakech Room. Barbequed Kebobs on the Nomad Deck, and finally Moroccan Mint Tea and pastries were enjoyed in the lush Sultan’s Garden.

Here is one of Gourmet Safari's favourite Moroccan recipes.

Couscous with Carmelized Onions

1 tbsp olive oil

1 large sweet Spanish onion, finely sliced

1/2 c raisins

1 tbsp sugar

1/3 tsp ground cloves

½ tsp ground cinnamon

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp each freshly ground black pepper, ground ginger, ground nutmeg

1 package couscous (2 cups)

Chicken stock*

Heat oil over medium-high heat, add onion stirring to coat, then reduce to medium-low and cook for 15 mins until onion is soft.  Stir in raisins, sugar, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, pepper, ginger, nutmeg.  Cook, covered, medium-low for 30-40 mins stirring occasionally until onion is tender, dark brown and juicy.  Remove bay leaf.  Add 2 c couscous, stir and add chicken stock* (follow instructions on package re ratio of couscous to liquid).  Cover and turn off heat.  Leave for about 10-15 mins until liquid is absorbed and cooked through.  If required turn heat on low and cook slightly.  Fluff with fork, garnish with parsley and enjoy.

The Bazaar.

Guests were invited to shop at the silent auction and spoil themselves at the Fez Bazaar reminiscent of the open-air markets found throughout Morocco, piled high with lanterns, teas, spices and jewelry (travellers didn’t even have to go through customs to take their fabulous finds home with them)!

Live Auction Grand Prize.

Guests had the opportunity to bid on the luxurious Exotic Morocco culinary vacation – a week-long culinary vacation for two.  Spend a week at our exotic Moroccan cooking school located just outside the ancient imperial city of Marrakech, a walled garden city of tall graceful palms set beneath the snow-capped Atlas Mountain range. About ten minutes from the walled garden city (Medina), you will find the Palmeraie, a grove of over 150,000 towering palm trees. It is here where you will find your luxury villa, aptly named the ‘House of Green Mint.’

The Lucky Winners.

And here are the happy Live Auction Grand Prize winners under the Gourmet Safari event tent.  They plan to experience their Exotic Morocco culinary vacation early in 2007.

The Entertainment.

The entertainment under the Kasbah (Big Tent) was captivating – guests enjoyed listening to the beat of the Moroccan musicians and watching the hypnotic rhythm of the belly dancers.  The entertainment and cuisine was served with fine wines and exotic signature Martinis.

Signature Martinis.

An assortment of Moroccan-inspired martini recipes were inspired especially for the event…enjoy!

Royal Sultan Martini

1 ½ oz. vodka

2 oz. cream

1 oz. crème de cacao

Sprinkle with cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together and shake over ice.  Pour and sprinkle cinnamon on top and savour.

Marrakech Express

1 oz. vodka

2 oz. fresh orange juice

1 drop orange blossom water

1 splash lime juice

1/2 cup Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice

Shake ingredients over ice and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with mint or fruit slices.

Casabalanca Kiss

6 oz. Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice

1 oz. fresh orange juice

Splash of club soda

Pour cranberry juice and orange juice into a glass with ice and top with club soda and garnish with an orange wedge.

Funds Raised for a Great Cause.

A good time was had by all on the Gourmet Safari Moroccan food adventure and $50,000 was raised.  Thanks to the generous travellers, the money raised will ultimately fulfill the vision, to ensure that every child in Canada attends school well nourished and ready to learn.

" Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." Edmund Burke, 1729-1797, Statesman

Here is what some of our guests/travellers had to say.

Sunday late afternoon and evening were a splendid end to an early fall day… Breakfast for Learning is not a new charitable foundation, but its first major fundraiser combined this breathtaking day and location with a Moroccan safari. It was one exotic evening that made enough money to fuel the learning and well-being of many kids in the coming year.

Elizabeth Baird, Founding member of BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING, Canadian Living Foundation and Honourary Event Chair, Food Editor at Canadian Living Magazine, editor/author of the Canadian Living Best series of cookbooks, host of Canadian Living Cooks.

Hello Jackie, Thank you so much for all your support of the Morocco event. You inspired us from the beginning with the idea for the event and your enthusiasm and commitment continued to inspire the team right up to Sept 10th. You’ll be high on the list and large in my thoughts this Thanksgiving as I contemplate everything we at BFL have to be grateful for. Warm Regards, Martha

Martha O'Connor, Executive Director

Breakfast for Learning

The tents, the belly dancers, the food, the outstanding WaterStone estates and the belly dancers…what a festive day.  I had such a great time and it was for such a great cause.

Dan Duran

Host of Science Channel's Discoveries This Week

The Breakfast for Learning Gourmet Safari to Morocco was a delicious adventure and fun time!

Liz West

City TV Toronto Entertainment Specialist, CityNews; Host, Star! At The Movies

I must say that the Gourmet Safari to Morocco was a most enjoyable and enlightening event from beginning to end. The food, the people, the belly dancers and that handsome Dan Duran fellow made the evening a sheer delight to be a part of. The fact that it was in support such a worthwhile cause, Breakfast for Learning, made that much more special.  Thanks for inviting me to be a part of it.

Humble Howard

Radio Personality

We enjoyed participating in the event and you all did a great job.  It's certainly is not an easy feat, but everyone pulled it off very well.

Esther Benaim

Great Cooks on Eight Gourmet Safari to Morocco Event Caterer

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Giving Back      

Gourmet Safari wants to help make our world a better place.
On your culinary vacation, you will explore different cuisines and cultures and experience many magical moments. A portion of the proceeds from every passenger on a Gourmet Safari culinary vacation will be contributed to BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING – a very special charity. Continue that good feeling and help support an important cause.

BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING.
For more than a decade BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING has been serving the needs of hungry children in Canada. Their mission is to ensure that every child in Canada attends school well nourished and ready to learn. Since 1992, BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING has helped to serve more than 203-million with the help of 30,000 dedicated volunteers in every province and territory. For more information about BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING or to make a donation visit breakfastforlearning.ca.

Children are our future and can change our world. On behalf of Canada’s children – thank you.

A Few Facts About Child Nutrition in Canada.

• Studies show that 31% of elementary school students and 62% of secondary students do not start their day with a nutritious breakfast.
• One in 5 children do not receive the required 5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables recommended by Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating.
• Nearly 50% of 9, 12 and 15 year olds do not eat a balanced diet as defined by Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating.
• A good breakfast should supply at least 25% of the day’s calories and essential nutrients
• A good breakfast includes foods from at least 3 of the 4 food groups.