The historic Casa Loma castle in Toronto glowed with neon purple lights as the 21st UHN Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival kicked off, bringing together more than 500 participants for a weekend of celebration and philanthropy in support of University Health Network.
A Night of Celebration and Healthcare Support
Beneath the glittering crystal chandeliers of Casa Loma's grand ballroom, partygoers enjoyed live music while keeping one eye on the World Series game. Blue Jays jerseys peeked out from under tailored blazers and over sequinned dresses as giant screens displayed the baseball action throughout the castle.
The event raised an impressive $4.6 million for University Health Network, which consistently ranks among the world's top hospitals. Julie Quenneville, CEO of UHN Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm for the evening's success, noting the perfect combination of purpose and pleasure.
"I just love seeing the support. This is an important night and an important Jays game, and the room is filled," Quenneville said. "What better way to raise money for Canada's number one hospital than to enjoy incredible food, great company and unbelievable wine?"
World-Class Wines for a Transformative Cause
Guests moved through the historic castle's rooms, sampling delicacies like caviar on blinis while surrounded by suits of armour. The wine selection featured exceptional vintages, including a silky 2011 Sicilian red and a highly anticipated 2005 Bordeaux.
At the heart of the event stood Todd Halpern, UHN board trustee, president of wine importer Halpern Enterprises and founder of the UHN Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival. Halpern emphasized the universal importance of healthcare as the driving force behind the event's success.
"All of us eventually need the hospital," Halpern stated. "The best thing you can do is get involved and help and make a difference for every Canadian. Doing it for UHN has been a lot of fun. And as long as I have it in me, I'll keep doing it for them."
Building the Future of Surgical Care
This year's funds will support the construction of a groundbreaking new surgical tower at Toronto Western Hospital, scheduled to open in 2028. The $1.1-billion project represents a massive leap forward in healthcare infrastructure, featuring 82 private patient rooms, 20 operating rooms, and a new intensive care unit.
Dr. Allan Okrainec, surgical lead for planning and infrastructure at UHN, explained how the tower will position the hospital at the forefront of medical innovation. "The tower is going to allow us to lead in the digital surgical revolution of the future," he said. "That means bringing together the most advanced surgical robotics, image-guided surgery and the use of artificial intelligence in surgery."
The facility will also connect directly with the Temerty Advanced Surgical Education & Simulation Centre at UHN's Michener Institute of Education, enabling surgical advancements to extend beyond hospital walls through state-of-the-art training and telesimulation capabilities.
With UHN Foundation responsible for raising $300 million toward the project, community support through events like Grand Cru is essential. Quenneville emphasized UHN's role as a "solution shop" for the country, developing and testing healthcare solutions that can be scaled across Canada and brought to the world.
Culinary Excellence Across Toronto
The weekend's festivities included exclusive dinners in twelve private homes across Toronto, featuring world-renowned chefs such as Daniel Boulud (Daniel), Jason Bangerter (Langdon Hall), and Massimo Renzi (Sotto Sotto).
Halpern provided a glimpse of the lavish menus guests would enjoy, including prime rib with Bordelaise and bone marrow, agnolotti al funghi with foraged mushrooms, cavatelli with lobster rose and white truffle, and venison wellington. The dinners created unique opportunities for chefs to collaborate and interact with hosts, guests, and wine producers.
"Daniel Boulud takes over my garage and turns it into one giant kitchen," Halpern shared. "I have two three-star Michelin chefs from France, one two-star from Quebec and Daniel this year."
The wine pairings were equally impressive, featuring Armand Rousseau burgundies, Barons de Rothschild champagne, white burgundies by Jean-Marc Roulot, and concluding with 1900 Chateau Margaux served from magnums alongside cheese courses.
The evening at Casa Loma concluded on a triumphant note as the Blue Jays secured their World Series game one victory, prompting euphoric cheers from the crowd just before midnight. The successful event demonstrated the powerful combination of community celebration and healthcare philanthropy, bringing the total raised by Grand Cru over the years to nearly $175 million for UHN's vital work.
