For many who attended the Gladstone’s beloved Harvest Wednesdays Sip and Savours in the past, they’ve had a lasting impact on the way they think and feel about agriculture, food and community. With sampling stations from local producers set up around the second floor gallery space, we invite you to sip and savour local wines, meats, cheeses and specialty foods, connect with the people who made them, and snack on Hors D’oeuvres prepared by the Gladstone’s executive Chef Katie Venables Lloyd and our imitable guest chefs who will incorporate ingredients from Chick-a-biddy Acres C.S.A.
To welcome our beloved Sip and Savours back, we’re thrilled to announce that Bob Blumer will host the night next Wed Sept 14 (tickets available here!). The Food Network television personality, cookbook author and bon vivant will be serving up delicious delicacies, mingling in the crowd and speaking at the event. He will also be joined by Second Harvest, a food rescue organization in Toronto.
(Photo from Good Food Revolution about Bob’s dinner for Stratus Vineyards–who will be one of the vendors at the Sip and Savour!)
We sat down with Bob Blumer to find out how he got his start, his artist-designed hotel room at the Gladstone, experience as a Second Harvest ambassador and why he’s a die hard farmers market go-er.
You’re a Food Network host, cookbook author, Guinness Book of World Records record breaker and all around bon vivant. How did you get your start?
When I was in my 20s and my kid sister moved into her first apartment, I cobbled together a little scrapbook with my best recipes, tips for living well beyond your means and inexpensive pick me ups. I was managing musicians at the time and while I was in England making a record with Brian Eno, I wrote a cookbook expanding on what I had given my sister. I tricked the publisher into publishing it and when it came out I was immediately reviewed by the New York Times and invited onto the Today Show. That was the beginning of my accidental career. After that, I taught myself how to cook (laughs).
You’ve been described as a bon vivant. What does that mean to you?
To me, it means I live life large, I’m hedonist, I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, and do everything in excess. I eat and drink and exercise–all in excess.
We love you here at the Gladstone. You’ve even designed one of our hotel rooms–the Surreal Gourmet Room. What was the inspiration behind your foodie haven?
And I love you guys! The Gladstone has been my home away from home for the last ten years. The room has a kitchenette, so that was my jumping off point. The design is based on my own style and mimics my own kitchen. It was an evolution but everything that’s in the room was pulled from my own universe and designed by me–from the marshmallow pillows to the wine glass chandelier.
At the Harvest Wednesdays Sip and Savour next week, you’ll be incorporating Ontario produce picked from our Chick-a-biddy acres C.S.A. box just the day before. Do you have a special connection to local food?
I’ve been shopping at my local farmer’s market religiously every Sunday. In fact, I’ve never been in town on a Sunday and not gone to my farmers market in all the 25 years it’s been open. I have a strong connection to the markets and farmers. Wherever I go, I’ve always gravitated towards them.
You’re also an ambassador for Second Harvest–one of our speakers at the Sip and Savour. How did you get involved?
I’ve been an ambassador for them for about 7 or 8 years. They take perishable food that normally would have gone to waste, and in 48 hours, they turn it around and deliver it to food banks and people who can use it. Some people say up to 50% of the food that’s produced is wasted, so this is a great way to conserve all the energy that went into producing it to begin with and to feed the people who really need it. I love being an ambassador for them. This year at the Toronto Taste event, I auctioned off four dinners for two at my house and ended up raising a record-breaking $40,000!
You’ll be bringing along your culinary inventions du jour to display in the gallery. Tell us about them.
I wanted to do something stimulating so I decided that every day for a month–which turned into three months–I would wake up and sketch out an invention du jour. It took on a life of its own and a couple of them might end up becoming products! This is the first time I’ll be showing them in person.
FLASH QUESTIONS
Pick: Fruit or veggies?
That’s too hard a question! If I have to choose…vegetables.
If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cheese…stinky cheese. Actually, I change my answer. Grilled pizza.
Your last meal?
A wheel of Epoisse, a magnum of Sauternes and a crusty loaf of bread.
Your most memorable food experience?
Every day my life revolves around food and every day is another memorable experience and that’s how I cook too.
Your favourite thing about the Gladstone?
The staff.
Describe your cooking style in 3 words or less.
Life affirming.
Fill in the blanks: I’d rather be _______ than _________ (ex. Happy than rich)
I’d rather be surreal than real.
To meet Bob in person and try out his delicious treats, get your tickets to the next Harvest Wednesdays Sip and Savour on Eventbrite here!
The post The Host With the Most: Get to Know Bob Blumer at our Harvest Wednesdays Sip and Savour on Sept 14 appeared first on Gladstone Hotel.