On Sunday, March 8, we proudly hosted another unforgettable International Women’s Day Dinner—an evening dedicated to honouring the women who continue to shape, elevate, and redefine Toronto’s culinary and hospitality landscape.
Guests were welcomed with a complimentary signature sip crafted by The Dorset’s Emma Fenni, setting the tone for a night of creativity, collaboration, and exceptional talent. As the evening unfolded, bar cart service from Eleni Bock (Canoe) and Eszti Nagy (The Joneses & Ceci Bar) brought a selection of inventive cocktails, crafted to order.
This year’s five‑course menu was brought to life by a powerhouse lineup of guest chefs and O&B culinary talent, including Martine Bauer (Pompette), Junelle Casalan (Castle & Coal Bakery), Courtney Latham McKay (Maison Selby), Akane Hagiwara (La Plume), and Alessia Tamburro (The Dorset). Guests enjoyed everything from a delicate Japanese‑style mackerel in dashi broth to a show‑stopping Jerusalem artichoke dessert.
The evening’s front‑of‑house team—Victoria Bridgens, Jane Suh, Leanne Natale, and Zahra Husain—played an essential role in hosting the packed house, ensuring every detail felt warm, welcoming, and seamless.
In keeping with tradition, a portion of the proceeds—$5 per ticket sold and $2 from each featured drink—was donated to Nellie’s, a local charity providing a safe space for women and children facing challenges, offering shelter, community outreach, and skill‑building programs to help them reclaim their strength and build a new path forward.
Thank you to all who joined us for this special night. Your enthusiasm and support made this year’s dinner a beautiful tribute to the women driving our industry forward—one innovative dish, bold idea, and shared meal at a time.