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Spirits & Spice at Marché brings the Islands to Toronto (Includes first-hand account)

During the summer Toronto is alive with Caribbean culture during the Scotiabank Caribbean Festival but many don’t know that there are events celebrating Island life throughout the year. For the second year Marché at Brookfield Place is putting out a special menu and delicious island spirits to celebrate Carnival and Black History Month. From February 2 – February 8, Marché Toronto Brookfield Place in downtown Toronto will be featuring Celebrity Chef La-toya Fagon​’s Caribbean delicacies to tantalize while raising funds for the Caribbean Scholarship Foundation.

Carnival girls at Spirits & Spice media event

Carnival girls at Spirits & Spice media event


During a special media reception on Feb. 4 Chef Fagon presented a selection of Caribbean dishes. The food is cooked right before patrons’ eyes with seasonal products from the Caribbean. The GK Grilling station featuring Grace Jerk, Rubs and Sauces is a must try for all steak and meat lovers. As well, guests will find Caribbean inspired beverages and smoothies at the juice station, while, the in-restaurant bar will feature English Harbour Rum (Antigua), Carib Beer (Trinidad and Tobago), Angostura Rum ( Trinidad & Tobago) and the unique Relax Riesling and Funf 5 Riesling wine that will be paired with the island dishes. Caribbean desserts and even coffee with a Caribbean twist will be available for guest to enjoy.

Island drinks

Island drinks


World traveller Chef Fagon believes in giving back to the community. For the past nine years she has supported PACT Urban Peace Program by donating her time to teaching culinary courses. Recently with the launch of the Jean Augustine Empowerment Center, PACT cooking courses has grown with Chef Fagon teaching young women different forms of empowerment, budgeting, and nutrition.

Marché is delighted to be helping raise funds during their second annual Spirits & Spice Week for CSF. The scholarship fund is one of the Scotiabank’s Caribbean Festival’s way of giving back to Toronto youth. In December 2014 gave out $10,000 in scholarships to deserving students from the Caribbean Diaspora in Canada. Kyler Philip, Jasmine Francis, Justice Betty and Nathalee Ewers were each awarded $2,500 as part of the “Feature Leaders” Scholarship. The Future Leaders initiative is a partnership between CSF and Western Union and includes an innovative mentorship program designed to give students an added advantage in their academic pursuit.

Festival spokesman Stephen Weir said the Festival is very proud of the scholarship that gives back to deserving youth in Toronto. “The community is giving smart kids a hand up in their education. It’s one of the things that the festival does behind the scenes that is a lasting testament. The carnival brings culture and education to Toronto in many way and the scholarship is one of our proudest achievements.”

Jasmine Francis and her parents very happy to be part of the program. Francis, 18, is in her first year at York University studying social work. “The scholarship is definitely helping me to be able to pay for school.” She beamed as she talked about living on campus and the dedication she has for continuing her education so that she will be able to make a positive difference in her community.

Marketing Manager at Grace Kennedy Remittance Services Limited & Western Union Financial Services Limited and Board member of CSF Nicole Aikman-Smith said, “Western Union is proud to have the opportunity to help deserving student with funds for university.”

Black History Month’s Spirits & Spice is holding a grand finale soiree for Sophisticated Palates​ on February 6 at the Marche Brookfield Place 5:30 p.m. -9:30 p.m.. Ticket holders will experience unlimited food tastings prepared by Chef Fagon. Tickets are $35.00 Advance $45.00 at the Door

For more information and tickets:
www.spiritsandspice.com

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