Last Thursday over 500 were in attendance at the annual Battle of Hors D’Ouevres hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters Windsor Essex, up sharply from the 350 from last year’s event according to Hayley Morgan, organizer of the event, and raising over $40,000.
Guests flowed through the Augustus Ballroom at Caesars Windsor sampling the best area restaurants had to offer: Rino’s Kitchen, Armando’s, Just Jeff’s, Thai Palace, Bull N Barrel Saloon, The City Grill, Chanoso’s, Neros, Hummazing, Thyme To-Go, The Windsor Club, Parkside Grille and others.
Cooper’s Hawk Vineyard, Canadian Club, Oxley Estate Winery, Pelee Island Winery, Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery and Walkerville Brewery were also on hand to ensure guests didn’t go thirsty.
WindsorEats was honoured to return as a Critic and had the pleasure of sitting at the table with Chef Glen van Bloomstein of Oxley Estate Winery and Chef John Kukucka as a Critic.
The Critic’s Choice is always thrilling. Prior to the event, each submission is presented to the critics in a blind tasting. We discuss, critique and grade each on presentation, taste, creativity and portion.
The People’s Choice gives attendees the opportunity to travel from station to station sampling hors d’ouevres. When they’ve decided which one they like best, they place their vote by dropping a glow bracelet into a jar placed on the restaurant’s serving station. The bracelets are counted and a winner is declared! Always a difficult decision to make as each restaurant and hospitality business puts forth their best.
The winners for this year’s Battle of Hors D’Ouevres:
The Critic’s Choice Award went to Parkside Grille for the Hospitality Epicurean category and Armando’s for the Restaurant category.
People’s Choice Award went to the Parkside Grille with Armando’s as a runner up.
Congratulations to the winners and kudos to those that participated! A wonderful evening and a great way to raise awareness and funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters Windsor Essex!
