The Event: Book launch of Goodness: recipes and stories by the Neal Brothers.

The Date and Time: Thursday, October 15, 2015  6PM to 9PM

The Event: Book launch of Goodness: recipes and stories by the Neal Brothers.

The Venue: All the Best Foods

The Target Audience: food and wine writers

The Availability/Catalogue: the book was available for sale at the event.

The Quote/Background: GOODNESS; recipes and stories (Blakeman Books, 2015, 328 pages, ISBN 978-0-99480150-0  $29.95 paper covers) is from the Neal Brothers, Peter and Chris, who have expanded from their processed-naturally food company (organic foods such as salsas, potato chips, tortilla chips, coffees, chocolate)  to wines (Neal Hanna) and to support of Community Food Centres Canada.  This work celebrates 37 chefs, entrepreneurs, growers and food activists who believe that good, healthy food should be accessible to all. Each has a story top tell, supporting sustainability, promoting access, outreach and education. Each sends along a dish or two that can be made at home (recipe provided, of course, like the crispy egg and pork belly salad). Half of the profits  from the sale of GOODNESS will be donated to to the CFCC. Another perfect gift volume.

 

The Wines: Neal Hanna supplied the wines – Hecula Yecla 2013 Monatrell red from Spain (89), Union White (Riesling/Chardonnay/3 others) VQA 2013 (88), and Fielding Long Weekend Chardonnnay/Pinot Grigio 2014 (86).

Beer was provided by Great Lakes Brewery – Pompass Ass Ale Best Bitter (91), Andy Hopburn (89), and Canuck Pale Ale (88).

 

The Food: the highlight of course, like being at a catered party. Apart from the cheeses hidden away in the cellar area (cave-aged gruyere, epoisses) we had passed around platters of arancini, crostini, crab tortillas, hemp hummus, salmon rillettes, butter chicken, and more that I did not catch up on. Cheese straws were on every table. And all done in-house at All the Best Food. Kudos to the lovely staff, and the beers went well.

The Downside: it was windy and rainy outside, possible keeping down attendance so that the launch was not jammed. But that meant fewer people to buy or engage with the book.

The Upside: My wife was allowed in as +1. Thanks!

The Contact Person: troy.b@greatlakesbeer.com; andrewhanna@winetrader.ca; emma@thesirengroup.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 92.

 

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com