Sipping, Savoring and Socializing at Taste in the Glebe Fundraiser!

Article / Photos by Giovanni

The 14th Anniversary of the celebrated “Taste in the Glebe” event, a famous showcase of local and area eateries, vintners, and brewers, once again proved to be an excellent fundraiser for the Glebe Neighborhood Activities Group Community Fund. With so much of sampling, sipping, savoring and socializing, proving that, even at 14 years old, Taste in the Glebe remains fresh as Kettleman’s Bagels, soup from Taylor’s Genuine, Seafood from Pelican Fishery & Grill, Smoke Meat from Olga’s Deli & Catering, Italian fresh Cheese from IL Negozio Nicastro, and many more food was served that night. Tasty wine and food graciously donated, it was next to impossible to leave on an empty stomach!

The 14th annual Taste in the Glebe event raised approx $18K before expenses towards The Glebe Neighborhood Activities Group (GNAG) Community Fund which has contributed to improvements and upgrades to the Glebe Community Center to be enjoyed by the entire community.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson stated: “I remember fourteen years ago challenging the Glebe Neighborhood activities group to see what they could do to help raise money for the renovation to the community center. I suggested they have an event similar to Bon Apetit and invite local eateries to show off their food and drink. They then turned the tables and said why don’t you chair it?! I did and we had a great event that I am very pleased has carried on. Taste of the Glebe is one of the most enjoyable social events of the year!”

The great success of this event is in large part due to all of the participating restaurants, food provisioners, vintners, and brewers, as well as some other companies such as Naji’s, Octagon Catering, The Works (Bank Street Location), The Flour Shoppe, Second Avenue Sweets, Corner Bar & Grill, and Yasir Naqvi (MPP) stopped by Olga’s (Deli & Catering) to try out their smoke meat sandwich, which was a huge hit of the eventing and then he remained to help owner Ezio Costanza serve the guests. In the room you could spot celbs, Lawyer Lawrence
Greenspon, Rogers Daytime co-Hosts Lois Lee with Derick Fage, and his girlfriend Monica, and many more recognizable faces who knew the night was all about sipping, savoring, and socializing with the guests. An ultra-special mention should be cast to the efforts of all members of the hard working “Taste in the Glebe” committee, consisting of Tahera
Mufti, Phil Nicholson, Suzanne Joya, Clare Rogers and Mary Tsai-Davies, as well as all of the incredible volunteers who, as usual, went well beyond the call of duty to ensure the success of this year’s fantastic event.

Taste in the Glebe has evolved into a culinary extravaganza and the hottest ticket in the city. This event is building in popularity because of fabulous restaurants, vintners and brewers from Ottawa and the surrounding area. The event was a testament to the power of fabulous food to bring people together, approx 400 attended and from the moment they opened the doors to this event, guests were excited to experience the fun and delicious offerings by the participants.