Photos by Mark Girdauskas
The GCW Kitchens Grand Opening on September 26th WAS grand in oh so many ways ...
Some of the best local restaurants and suppliers brought their offerings including entries for the chili cook-off.
A crowd of over 500 people gathered to taste, mingle, celebrate GCWs grand opening, support Bethany’s Hope Foundation and to hear and meet Chef Michael Smith.
A Grand Cause - Bethany's Hope
Bethany’s Hope Foundation raises money to fund research to find a cure for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy or MLD. GCW became involved with Bethanys Hope Foundation in 2008 through involvement in some of their exciting ways to raise funds for this cause. Michael Smith has been a long-time supporter and noted, "Bethany’s Hope is doing some amazing work!”
Bethany’s Hope Foundation raises money to fund research to find a cure for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy or MLD. GCW became involved with Bethanys Hope Foundation in 2008 through involvement in some of their exciting ways to raise funds for this cause. Michael Smith has been a long-time supporter and noted, "Bethany’s Hope is doing some amazing work!”
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A Grand Opening for GCW
When it had become apparent we had outgrown our former facility on Edward Street and we needed a bigger facility, it was important to us to remain in the community that had given us our start. We were thrilled that we were able to resurrect a former manufacturing building right here in St. Thomas. The former Therm-O-Disc plant had sat idle for years. The building was retrofitted and updated to provide us with 82,000 square feet of manufacturing, sales, and support space. |   |
  | This doesn't happen every day. There's so much history in this building and now it's going to have a new chapter, a new life making kitchens. |
A Best-Selling Cookbook and a Simple but Important Message
“Family Meals” is now the #1 best-seller in Canada. Before signing cookbooks, Smith recounted in his down to earth, humorous style, the journey he has taken since the publication of his first "very complicated cookbook" in 1998. He remembers it being an attempt to "impress other chefs". Since raising a family he has a different message.
His new cookbook, he said, is "about sharing ... just like that is what today is all about." He believes that we are too stressed out about cooking and doing it exactly right, when "It is just about putting food on the table."
Smith showed photographs of his family living in and enjoying his St. Thomas built GCW kitchen in Prince Edward Island, saying, "I am proud of this kitchen and I am proud of GCW."
His new cookbook, he said, is "about sharing ... just like that is what today is all about." He believes that we are too stressed out about cooking and doing it exactly right, when "It is just about putting food on the table."
Smith showed photographs of his family living in and enjoying his St. Thomas built GCW kitchen in Prince Edward Island, saying, "I am proud of this kitchen and I am proud of GCW."
It is about the simplicity of sharing food with your family every day. |  |
Big Excitement Behind the Scenes
Having Michael Smith come to town for a major event involves many people behind the scenes, including the ones who host his stay (and the chefs who feed the chef). The Kettle Creek Inn in Port Stanley provided accommodation for Chef Smith, took part in the Friday evening Grand Opening, and also served Smith’s party of twelve dinner on Saturday evening (along with 130 other dinner guests in the restaurant). There may have been just a little pressure on the kitchen!
Leading up to the event, The Kettle Creek team was excited. “You can imagine how pumped everyone is here," said owner Jean Vedova.
Sunday morning, she was smiling, “Chef Rob Lampman and Sous Chef Jamie Whelan plus the rest of the kitchen pulled it off! Michael complimented us on focusing on local and keeping our menu items simple with a twist, and fresh. Such a charming and approachable person!”
Having Michael Smith come to town for a major event involves many people behind the scenes, including the ones who host his stay (and the chefs who feed the chef). The Kettle Creek Inn in Port Stanley provided accommodation for Chef Smith, took part in the Friday evening Grand Opening, and also served Smith’s party of twelve dinner on Saturday evening (along with 130 other dinner guests in the restaurant). There may have been just a little pressure on the kitchen!
Leading up to the event, The Kettle Creek team was excited. “You can imagine how pumped everyone is here," said owner Jean Vedova.
Sunday morning, she was smiling, “Chef Rob Lampman and Sous Chef Jamie Whelan plus the rest of the kitchen pulled it off! Michael complimented us on focusing on local and keeping our menu items simple with a twist, and fresh. Such a charming and approachable person!”
Above - Members of the Kettle Creek team with Chef Michael Smith: Brooke Howard, Rob Lampman, Jamie Whelan, Troy & Dean Vedova. Photo courtesy of Kettle Creek Inn.
Chef Smith showed many photos of his kitchen and the part it plays in the lives of his family members. Read more about the creation of Michael Smith's kitchen featured in "A Culinary Match Made in St. Thomas" Relish Elgin Summer 2011 ...
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