Each fall, as the leaves turn and the air chills, a group of award-winning chefs, local farmers, and foodies come together for a spectacular evening to support an Ottawa youth services organization.
Harvest – A Feast of Fall is a multi-chef food and beverage experience that celebrates Ottawa’s culinary community. The event benefits Youturn Youth Services, a non-profit organization that provides individualized services to Ottawa’s most at-risk youth. Attendees are treated to farm-to-table food and drinks that pay homage to the bounty of the fall season. This year’s event will take place at the Ottawa Art Gallery on September 18. Tickets are available online and include all food and beverages for the evening.
It is an absolutely beautiful thing that together a group of chefs can support such a deep cause. The youth are the future generation and we need to support each and everyone. Everyone deserves a chance. — Chef Raghav Chaudhary on the importance of participating in the event
Beyond supporting a good cause, the event is a well-run foodie experience. Mix and mingle as you travel from one food station to another with a great drink in hand. With a roster of a dozen chefs from across the national capital region, there’ll be something for everyone’s taste. This year’s chefs are: Trudy Metcalfe-Coe – Chef at large, Raghav Chaudhary – Aiana Restaurant Collective, David Godsoe – Restaurant 18, Simon Beaudry – Les Fougères, David Vinoya – Hilton Garden Inn, Brenden Johnstone – Eurest Catering, Ben Baird – Pelican Seafood Market and Grill, Devin Marhue – Thyme & Again Catering, Pat Riggins – Riggins Family BBQ, Ric Watson – Chef Ric’s / Ottawa Mission, Joe Thottungal – Coconut Lagoon / Thali, and Derick Cotnam – My Catering Group. Beverage partners include Beyond the Pale Brewing, Tavern on the Hill, and Dunrobin Distillery.
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In advance of this year’s event, we connected with Chef Raghav Chaudhary, Aiana Restaurant Collective. Aiana is located at 50 O’Connor Street and made headlines when they opened as a certified Living Wage Employer meaning team members team members receive a compensation that meets their essential needs and expenses.
Chef Raghav Chaudhary. Photo provided.
According to Aiana’s website, “Chef Raghav Chaudhary is a Canadian chef. Throughout his years of experience in fine-dining, Chef Chaudhary completed an internship in Sweden and worked within a variety of reputable restaurants in San Francisco and Europe. His skills in Californian, French, and Nordic cuisine combined with a reverence for local, seasonal, and earth-to-table ingredients drives Chef Chaudhary’s vision for Aiana: one centered around the celebration of Canada’s distinct heritage and culture via inspired dishes.”
Apt613: What are you most excited about for this year’s Harvest Ottawa event?
Chef Raghav Chaudhary: I am looking forward to gathering as a community of chefs and putting on an amazing evening. It is always so much fun to cook alongside such talented chefs, and for amazing guests.
What dish will you be serving? How are you incorporating local fall foods into your planning?
We will be serving a cretons ‘pogo’ with a berry and ice wine vinegar reduction. It is a warm and comforting dish with a juxtaposition of French and Indigenous techniques.
This event is once again raising funds for Youturn Youth Services. What does it mean for you to participate and support this organization?
It is an absolutely beautiful thing that together a group of chefs can support such a deep cause. The youth are the future generation and we need to support each and everyone. Everyone deserves a chance.
Aiana’s website talks about bringing the abundance of Canada’s food products to the forefront of flavourful dishes. Can you talk a bit about the importance of local products and how they inspire your cooking?
At Aiana we focus on highlighting seasonal ingredients which are found abundant in our nation. We fuse the various cultures we have in Canada and draw inspiration from all. Canada is a celebration of multiculturalism and we are inspired to communicate our interpretation of Canadian through our plates.
Harvest – A Feast of Fall takes place on Wednesday, September 18 at the Ottawa Art Gallery (10 Daly Avenue). Tickets are available online for $125 and include cocktail style food and drinks. Funds raised support YouTurn Youth Support Services, a non-profit organization, that provides individualized services to our most at-risk youth. The event continues to grow in popularity year after year.
