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While we’re anxiously awaiting news of the forthcoming Top Chef Canada, a new Canadian food-based reality television series has just been announced that might be even more over the top. Recipe to Riches will showcase ordinary Canadians with exceptional recipes. Contestants will compete with original fare in seven categories—appetizers, sweet and savoury snacks, cakes, sweet pies, savoury pies (yes a whole category for savoury pies), entrées and frozen treats—to win best of their group, as well as top prize overall.
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New Canadian reality show to feature eye-popping $250,000 grand prize
Secrets of a society photographer: George Pimentel shares his favourite shots
Galen Weston Jr.’s Bieber haircut, a commando mission to shoot Conrad Black, and the never-ending battle for fashion supremacy—George Pimentel has seen, done and documented it all. Tonight, the celebrity photographer shares 300 of his favourite Toronto society snaps at a VIP-filled bash at the Carlu. In case you didn’t get an invite, here’s a sneak peek at some of Pimentel’s most memorable shots.
The Bay vs. Holts: the Bay’s scheme to steal the fashion crown from Holts
The sensible shoes and twin–sets are gone, replaced by stilettos and crystal-encrusted gowns. There’s valet parking and personal shoppers, and they’re serving champagne up on three. It’s all part of the Bay’s scheme to win the loyalty of society shopaholics—and steal the fashion crown from Holts
(Image: George Pimentel)
One evening last March, Toronto’s stylish set put on their best frocks and headed to a retail baptism. Sarah Jessica Parker, celebrity high priestess of fashion, was in town to launch the Halston Heritage label at The Bay. The party, which reportedly cost over $200,000, was meant to establish Canada’s oldest department store as a major player in high-end womenswear. If retailers can be born again, this was The Bay’s moment to lean back and dip its head into the holy water.
Fashion media and socialites were ushered into the Queen Street flagship store and up the escalator to sip champagne on the third floor. That’s where The Room is located. The upscale designer dress salon was renovated a year ago for approximately $4.4 million in a high modernist style by the designers Yabu Pushelberg. The result is a treasure trove of conversation piece baubles, heels, flirty cocktail dresses and gowns by some of the most prestigious designers in the business. It’s the beating heart of the new Bay. Read the rest of this entry »
TIFF’s most memorable couples
The newlyweds oozed post-coital confidence (Image: Karon Liu)
Is it just us, or were significant others one of the most commonly spotted red carpet accessories? Nicole, Jon, Megan (to name a few) all showed off their better halves at their premieres. With the festival wrapped up for another year, a look back at this year’s most memorable couples in our slide show below.
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- Firth turned 50 at TIFF this year, confirming that 50 is the new 40 and that Brits are about more than posh accents and bad teeth. It’s hard not to think of his wife as the luckiest woman on the planet, but then, the satisfied smirk on Firth’s face makes us think that maybe he’s the lucky one. (Image: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Grey Goose Vodka)
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- He may be the biggest dreamboat on the planet right now, and still, the real-life Don Draper ably pulls off the whole “who, me?” thing. His long-time love looks equally effortless. We’re not sure if we want to be them or kill them. (Image: Karon Liu)
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- We weren’t impressed by Kidman’s lacklustre fashion efforts last week. We know she and her hair straightener–obsessed hubby are all about pushing the “we’re normal, we live in Nashville, we shop at Walmart” message, but would a little Cruise-era Kidman glamour have been too much to ask for? (Image: Karon Liu)
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- We were lucky enough to spot the Boss and his lovely bride having post-premiere refreshments at the Four Seasons bar. Yes, their fashion choices leave something to be desired, but when you’re as cool as they are, it really doesn’t matter. (Image: George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images)
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- As always, the communications power couple cut a memorable figure at the annual Amfar bash. This dress reminds us of something Donna Martin would have worn to a high school dance. At least she had youthful ignorance as an excuse. (Image: Karon Liu)
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- The newlyweds oozed post-coital confidence at the after party for Fox’s movie Passion Play. So how does BAG avoid the obvious Mr. Megan Fox jokes? Um, we’re not sure, but his upcoming role on Desperate Housewives probably isn’t going to help. (Image: Karon Liu)
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- Hilary is a former Miss Ireland and an undeniable beauty, but—how shall we say this?—at times Mama Weston tends toward outfits that are a little, well, young. After a certain age, strapless should refer to purses only. Hilary looked fab and totally age appropriate on the Amfar red carpet. And, as always, a billionaire is the ultimate accessory. (Image: George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images)
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- In the two years since their out-of-nowhere smash Slumdog Millionaire had its world premiere at TIFF, Pinto has become a Woody Allen muse and an international fashion plate. Patel’s career has been slightly slower out of the gate, but he gets to date Freida Pinto, so we doubt he’s even noticed. (Image: Karon Liu)
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- As if we needed further evidence that the Goz is the one for us. And yes, we get that he and his pint-sized Blue Valentine are not technically a couple, but who doesn’t want to look at snaps of the sexiest thing to come out of Canada since one-piece long johns? (Image: Jeff Vespa/WireImage/Getty Images)
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- As our spies reported, Brolin attended an after party at the Thompson Hotel where he had no qualms about lighting up inside, even though he was steps from a smoker-friendly patio and must know the practice is illegal (the guy’s from L.A., where they practically hang you for smoking). Plus, he ashed on a frickin’ plate! We’re not sure whether to be appalled by his arrogance or admire his commitment. (Image: Stefania Yarhi)
Thompson Hotel opening: pillow fights, pool parties and an hour wait for the rooftop
The roof pool at the Thompson Hotel (Image: George Pimentel)
By 10 p.m. last night, the wait for the elevator was an hour long, and the rooftop patio was at capacity. We shouldn’t have been surprised that the place was packed. Yes, yes, everyone was there. To drop some boldfaces, Kelly Rowan, Trevor Born, Jeanne Beker, the boys of Greta Constantine, Jeremy Laing (who designed the fabulous dresses the servers wore), Stacey Kimel, Ben Mulroney, Galen Weston Jr., teen blogging sensation Tavi Gevinson, Society gals Ashleigh Dempster and Amanda Blakley, Jian Ghomeshi, DJ Tony (from Ellen), et al.
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Black carrots are the latest craze, Madonna hates cheese, Prohibition feud heats up
Oprah dined at Sotto Sotto while in Toronto for TIFF (Photo by Karon Liu)
• Feuding continues at Queen Street East bar Prohibiton. Ex-manager Joey McGuirk published a letter from his lawyer on Prohibition’s old Web site this summer, which detailed how he came up with the concept of the bar and demanded compensation after McGuirk was fired. Some of his cutting-edge ideas include serving “high-end pub fare,” focusing on customer service, offering more than 15 kinds of beer and being “fun and sexy.” We hope he patented those, because they’re restaurant gold. [BlogTO]
• When Madonna told David Letterman that she’s never had a slice of New York pizza, the host got her a slice with olives but no cheese. Madonna reports that she’s “not a cheese person.” (A body like that doesn’t happen by eating cheese.) We’re just happy she’s no longer a fake-British-accent person. [Grub Street]
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We hit up Coco Rocha at the Holt Renfrew fash bash
Holt Renfrew took their annual gala, always the festival’s most fashionable bash, to new heights last night—the very top of The Burroughes Building, much to the dismay of spike-heeled attendees. No sooner had we reached the top of our social climb, joining Westons and Queen Westers alike, when we heard a dismayed gasp coming from a woman staring at Coco Rocha.
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Julia Child revisited, dining with dogs, a new breakfast chain for Ontario
Forget the doggie bag: some Toronto restaurants allow pooches to eat right at the table (Photo by rmatei)
• Going out for a bite can be a problem if one’s puppy wants to come too. Writer Ivy Knight suggests that there are a few dog-friendly places to eat in town. Buddha Dog on Roncesvalles offers free all-natural hot dogs to their canine customers. The Williams Coffee Pub on Queen’s Quay will actually let your dog share a meal with you at (or beneath?) the table. [Toronto Star]
• To mark this weekend’s release of Julie and Julia, Michael Rowe revisits his 1997 interview with Julia Child, which happened back when he was writing for Fab, a Toronto’s bi-weekly for the gay community. Child thought he was writing for Romantic Food (no such thing) and that was probably a good thing considering her homophobic past. Tidbits include her revelation that she sees chocolate and marijuana as similarly sensual, her distaste for low-cal food and her belief that Martha Stewart’s critics were “probably jealous of her because she’s so good-looking and capable.” [Huffington Post]
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A $75,000 recipe, China’s “illegal” pork ban, and Meryl’s Julia Child impression
• To brighten up this Wednesday morning, here’s Meryl Streep doing an awesome Julia Child impression for the upcoming movie Julie and Julia. This almost makes up for Mamma Mia! Almost. [YouTube]
• Loblaws’ profit increased by a whopping 73 per cent in the first quarter of 2009, meaning the grocery giant made $109 million in the last three months alone. Somewhere, Galen Weston is celebrating with some non-PC brand wine. [CP]
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