I recently organized a media dinner for Rashers as they opened up a second location on Ossington.

I’ve probably organized 10 media dinners over the last few years but this event was particularly special.

Here’s my tips on how to put on a great media dinner:

1. Include as much info in the invitation as possible: dress code? start time?, finish time?, is it a sit down meal or just passed appetizers? can extra guests be accommodated? hashtags for the evening? twitter/instagram handles? is parking available etc?!

2. Keep it small. This event was limited to 12 food bloggers and it was just the perfect size.

3. It makes a huge difference if the restaurant can put up a sign: “Sorry we are closed for a private event this evening”.

4. Stick to the schedule. Most bloggers have day jobs and have commutes to get home! The media dinner at Rashers ended in just over and hour and everyone was really really happy about that.

5. Welcome Bloggers. It’s a nice touch.

6. Allow bloggers to take photos of the food before it’s served so then everyone can enjoy their meal. Signs in front  of each dish allow the bloggers to go home and remember what the photo was!

7. Hand out name tags. I’m a huge fan of name tags as I’m having a hard time remembering everyone I meet at different events!!

8. Try to reach out to bloggers before the event on social media channels and retweet their blog posts!!

9. Include a gift card for the blogger to return to your restaurant another time in the gift bag. Don’t forget to include a menu in the gift bag and a business card with all the contact info for the restaurant.

10. Make sure you have enough staff. This will ensure that the event runs in a smooth fashion and ends on time.

Seriously the event at Rashers did all of the above and I walked away from the event beaming.

Oh ya – it helped that my belly was full of bacon goodness as well.

For more information:

www.rashers.ca

Address: 182 Ossington and 948 Queen St. East

Twitter/Instagram: RashersTO

Facebook: www.https://www.facebook.com/RashersInc/

Disclosure: Rashers was a client however all my opinions are my own.

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been going to the Toronto Festival Beer for many years and it keeps getting bigger and better.  I remember back in the day when it was held at Fort York  when there were just a few food vendors and it was so much smaller.   Things have clearly changed!! Now the food scene at the Festival is just as much of a highlight as the beer scene!!

As you can see from this photo….I was prepared!!

I went last night and as always enjoyed eating and drinking my way thru the festival. I wish I drank more but for some reason can never manage to have more than a few beers. Sad but true!!

Here’s a few highlights:

1. Beer and Bacon: Why haven’t I had this combo before?  Rashers is the only bacon sandwich shop in North America and I was thrilled to see them at the Festival. I devoured my British Style Bacon Strips with a few ounces of Black Guinness and was  a happy camper.

2. Foundry Cider had an apple smashing cage that looked like so much fun!! I love stuff like this…

3. The International Centre Crafting Fuzion. I had never heard of them till this week. All I know is that I will be making a special trip to the International Centre to try more!!  The two dishes I had a the Festival were nothing but outstanding. Huge thanks to @LuiSays for reaching out to me prior to the festival. (twitter works. #justsayin’)

This dish also rocked: Bruce Lee’s Tijuana Ssam Mash Up – Anchor steamed marinated Bulgogi in an iceberg wrap with spicy kimchi and American Style chop suey topped off with cilantro and mexican scented rice pops. Served in a mini bamboo boat. MORE. PLEASE.

4. Rock Lobster Food Co. is at the Festival and is hugely popular. Here’s a photo of  Matt and his team  working hard! Again, what a great combo – beer and a lobster roll!!

5. Besides the beer and the food – I love the fact that everyone is having a great time!

For More Information:

Toronto Festival of Beer (July 27-29th) Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place, Toronto

Twitter: @TOBeerFestival