Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon and Thyme & Again owner Sheila Whyte co-chaired the Blue Door Gala, held at Infinity Convention Centre, on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 in support of The Ottawa Mission's Food Services Training Program. Photo by Caroline Phillips
FSTP graduate tells Blue Door Gala how his life was rebuilt by ‘food, compassion and second chances’
The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program began with a simple but brilliant idea from Chef Ric Watson to give others the same second chance he’d once been given. Two decades later, his vision has transformed hundreds of lives, turning people who once lined up for a free meal into employable kitchen staff serving hope, purpose and a fresh start.
A sold-out crowd of 650 gathered Thursday at Infinity Convention Centre for the Blue Door Gala, presented by home builder Caivan Communities and emceed by CTV News Ottawa’s Jackie Perez. The crowd raised $320,000 for the FSTP, surpassing organizers’ original goal of $275,000.
The fundraiser got its name from the front entrance to The Ottawa Mission, a non-profit that runs programs and services for people facing homelessness and poverty.
Returning to lead the gala organizing committee were lawyer Lawrence Greenspon and businesswoman Sheila Whyte, whose Thyme & Again has become an Ottawa institution for its catering, café and gourmet fare. They were joined by community volunteers Heather Bradley, Judy Charles, Joseph Cull, Julie Findlay, Elizabeth Kaulback, Korey Kealey, Rebecca Kealey, Andrea Laurin, Carole Saad, and Cathy Steele.
Saad, owner of the event-design firm and gala sponsor Chic + Swell, was recognized during the dinner for being among this year’s recipients of an Order of Ottawa.
From left, Blue Door Gala volunteer committee members Julie Findlay, co-chair Sheila Whyte, Andrea Laurin, Judy Charles, Joseph Cull, Elizabeth Kaulback, co-chair Lawrence Greenspon and Carole Saad pose together at Infinity Convention Centre at the start of the signature fundraiser for The Ottawa Mission (Missing: Cathy Steele, Heather Bradley, Korey Kealey and Rebecca Kealey). Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Jonathan Weisman, executive vice president of sales and marketing for presenting sponsor Caivan Communities, alongside Chef Ric Watson, head of the Food Services Training Program at The Ottawa Mission, and The Mission’s CEO, Peter Tilley, at Infinity Convention Centre for this year’s Blue Door Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Keynote speaker Mark Rudolph did an excellent job of sharing how the FSTP completely changed the trajectory of his life. He’d been heading down the wrong path, one that unfortunately landed him in jail.
While serving his sentence, Rudolph was assigned to the kitchen, where he discovered a passion for cooking. “That’s when I realized that food could be my way back,” said Rudolph at the podium.
After his release, he heard about The Mission’s free culinary program. He’d been living in a halfway house when he was given a pamphlet with details. “From that moment, I knew it was where I was meant to be.”
Through the FSTP, Rudolph gained lessons that went far beyond the kitchen. He learned discipline and teamwork, and gained confidence. “Most of all, you feel like you belong,” he said. “The FSTP brings people from all walks of life, all cultures and backgrounds. Somehow, in that kitchen, we all became one community; a family built on food, compassion and second chances.”
The Mission is far more than a shelter, he continued. “It’s a community that accepts you and embraces you, even when you don’t think you deserve it. Today, when I put on my chef’s apron, I wear it with pride because it represents how far I’ve come, and the people who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Rudolph credited the FSTP with helping him get his foot in the door. “My goals are now simple,” he said of building a stable life, having his own apartment and being the father he hadn’t been able to be before. “And if I can help just one person out there — just one — make the right choices, not the ones I made, and change their life, it would mean the world to me. Then I would know I’ve done something right,” said Rudolph.
When he was done speaking, the audience rose to its feet in applause. As Rudolph returned to his dinner table, Chef Ric, as he’s known throughout the community, was waiting to give him a hug.
Keynote speaker Mark Rudolph shared his personal story at the Blue Door Gala of how The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program turned his life around. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The audience heard briefly from Devinder Gill, regional president of RBC. Last June, RBC donated $1.5 million to the Ottawa Community Foundation to help The Ottawa Mission, in partnership with modular hydroponic farm manufacturer Growcer, grow its own healthy, fresh and locally produced greens.
Long-time supporter and local architect Barry Hobin was there with a table from his firm. Also spotted was Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull, a pioneering force behind providing medical services for the homeless. Bill Malhotra, owner and CEO of Claridge Homes, joined by his wife, Romina, was among the prominent business leaders.
Each table featured a centerpiece of kitchen utensils, representing the $500 worth of supplies — including uniforms and textbooks — provided to FSTP students. Guests were encouraged to support The Mission by purchasing a kitchen kit.
From left, Yasser Ghazi, vice president of commercial financial services at RBC, alongside Ryan Smith, vice-president of RBC Group Advantage, RBC regional president Devinder Gill, and Dion Farentino, regional vice president of integrated markets at RBC, at Infinity Convention Centre for the Blue Door Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Blue Door Gala volunteer committee member Carole Saad, owner of event sponsor Chic + Swell Event Designers, was acknowledged during the dinner for being named to this year’s Order of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Chef Ric Watson, director of food services at The Ottawa Mission, and founder of its successful Food Services Training Program, at the Infinity Convention Centre for this year’s Blue Door Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Ottawa-based Canadian businessman Bill Malhotra, founder and CEO of Claridge Homes, and fellow businessman Anand Aggarwal, co-owner of Infinity Convention Centre, which was one of the sponsors of the Blue Door Gala in support of The Ottawa Mission. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Chef Ric Watson, director of food services at The Ottawa Mission and founder of its successful Food Services Training Program, with gala emcee Jackie Perez from CTV News Ottawa, Peter Angione, director of news and information programming in Ottawa for event sponsor Bell Media, The Ottawa Mission’s CEO, Peter Tilley, and Kristy Cameron, host of Ottawa Now on 580 CFRA. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The appetizers, salad, main course and dessert represented the final exam for the graduating class of the FSTP. The 32 students prepared the gourmet meal under the supervision of local chefs.
It was one assignment you could actually eat with no invented excuses about a dog, joked Greenspon.
Later, the students were called on stage to receive their certificates, with Chef Ric Watson there to congratulate them.
Chef Ric Watson, director of food services at The Ottawa Mission, congratulated each of the graduating students of Food Services Training Program during the Blue Door Gala held at Infinity Convention Centre on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Greenspon donned a chef’s coat to auction off experiential packages, including a seven-course dinner for six with award-winning cookbook author Margaret Dickenson; a home-cooked dinner for eight prepared by Chef Ric, Chef Sammy, and FSTP students; a four-night getaway to Mont Tremblant; a contemporary Inuk meal by Chef Trudy Metcalfe-Coe; and tickets to eight of Ottawa’s top charity galas.
Robert Merkley, president and CEO of Merkley Supply, was the highest bidder at $7,500 on a cocktail party for 30 hosted by Thyme & Again and Chef Joe Thottungal of Coconut Lagoon and Thali restaurants, with live music by Kimberley Dunn. He later rounded his contribution up to $8,000.
Also at his table, Joanne Hendriks and her husband Bert Hendriks, a retired Tomlinson executive, bid $10,500 on an all-inclusive stay for two at Amazing Abruzzo in Italy, a boutique retreat run by former Ottawa journalist Jake Rupert and lawyer Lisa Grassi-Blais, who quit their jobs and sold their belongings over a decade ago to pursue their hospitality dream.
Judging by the bidding, it seems everyone else also wants a slice of la dolce vita, too.
From left, Hobin Architecture principal Marc Thivierge, principal Reinhard Vogel, founding principal Barry Hobin, principal Doug Brooks and principal Melanie Lamontagne at the Blue Door Gala held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of The Ottawa Mission. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Cara Vaccarino, president and CEO at The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, Ottawa-based Canadian photographer Michelle Valberg and visual artist Leanne Cusack at the Blue Door Gala held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of The Ottawa Mission. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Peter Paciorek, president of Alliance Engineering & Construction, Simon Taggart, vice president at Taggart Construction and Doran Contractors, PCL Construction operations manager Matthew Rinfret and Matthew Capello, vice president at Capello Audio Electronics, at the Blue Door Gala in support of The Ottawa Mission. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Graduating students from The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services and Training Program on stage during the Blue Door Gala, held at Infinity Convention Centre on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Andy Singh (Rubicon Strategies), Brook Simpson (manager of economic development at Amazon) and his wife, Anna Borotko, Amazon’s head of public policy, Jacob Glick, and Kalene DeBaeremaeker, director government relations (public affairs) at Telus, at the Blue Door Gala in support of The Ottawa Mission. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull and Dr. Tiina Podymow were out supporting The Ottawa Mission’s Blue Door Gala, held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Hannah Schmitt (whose late father — Garth Steele — was a staunch supporter of The Ottawa Mission), alongside Welch LLP director of business development Bruce Raganold and Melanie Platt, a partner at Welch LLP, at the Blue Door Gala, held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Discovery College creative writing instructor Anna Rumin, Blue Door Gala committee member Joseph Cull and Kate Faughnan from the CIBC table, holding artworks by prominent visual artist Heidi Conrod, far right, that were donated to the silent auction. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Peter Tilley, CEO of The Ottawa Mission, seen listening closely to the keynote speaker, Mark Rudolph. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Scrivens Insurance partner Jake Scrivens, Rebecca Quinn, Blue Door Gala volunteer committee member Heather Bradley, and Michael Scrivens, partner at Scrivens Insurance, at the fundraiser for The Ottawa Mission, held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Romina Malhotra and Bill Malhotra, CEO and founder of Claridge Homes, at the Blue Door Gala, held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of The Ottawa Mission. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Chef Joe Thottungal, owner of Coconut Lagoon and Thali restaurants, was among the local chefs helping to supervise the graduating students of The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program as they prepared the gourmet dinner for 650 attendees of the Blue Door Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The graduating students of The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program on stage with the volunteer chefs, at The Blue Door Gala. Photo by Curtis Perry Photography
Blue Door Gala committee member Joseph Cull wore a feathered brooch designed by Chapeaux de Madeleine, along with a Blue Door pendant necklace that he created himself. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Robert Merkley, president and CEO of Merkley Supply, was the highest bidder on a cocktail reception for 30 donated by gala co-chair Sheila Whyte from Thyme & Again, gala supporter Chef Joe Thottungal and musician Kimberley Dunn. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Namrata Goyes, director of development at The Ottawa Mission, and Sylvie Corbin, manager of philanthropy at The Mission, at Infinity Convention Centre for The Blue Door Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Joanne Hendriks and Bert Hendriks were the winning bidders during the live auction on an all-inclusive stay at Amazing Abruzzo in Italy. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Mandy Gosewich, owner of Stunning! Fashion + Accessories in the ByWard Market, with Blue Door Gala committee member Carole Saad, owner of event sponsor Chic + Swell, at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Devinder Gill, regional president of RBC, introduced the keynote speaker at this year’s Blue Door Gala in support of The Ottawa Mission. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Attendees John Goldsmith, left, and his wife Ann Goldsmith alongside Blue Door Gala volunteer committee member Elizabeth Kaulback and her husband, David Caulfield, at the fundraiser for the Ottawa Mission. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Musician Kimberley Dunn at the Blue Door Gala in support of the Ottawa Mission. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Christine Taylor and Mark Taylor, vice president of resource development at United Way East Ontario, at Infinity Convention Centre for the Blue Door Gala in support of The Ottawa Mission. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Award-winning cookbook author Margaret Dickenson donated a dining package to The Ottawa Mission’s Blue Door Gala live auction. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Emma Iris and Virginia Dodsworth from The Ottawa Mission were working hard behind the scenes at this year’s signature fundraiser, the Blue Door Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Blue Door Gala co-chairs Lawrence Greenspon (Greenspon Granger Hill Lawyers) and Sheila Whyte, owner of Thyme & Again, on stage at this year’s fundraising gala, which raised $320,000. Photo by Caroline Phillips
This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.
hello@carolineinthecapital.ca
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