There aren’t many fundraising dinners in Ottawa where a flying shoe can become part of the entertainment, but Gourmet on the Gridiron has never been your typical charity event.

Held on the Ottawa Redblacks’ home turf at TD Place Stadium, the evening lets guests dine right on the football field, beneath bright stadium lights and an open sky, surrounded by the stands.

More than $330,000 was raised Wednesday night to help children and youth who might otherwise be left on the sidelines discover the confidence, connections and sense of belonging that sport can provide through OSEG Foundation’s programs and initiatives.

The relaxed atmosphere is part of what makes Gourmet on the Gridiron one of Hydro Ottawa CEO Bryce Conrad‘s favourite fundraisers. “I’m not wearing a tie. It’s great.”

The fundraiser was presented by Site Preparation Limited, represented by its president, Kathleen Grimes, who’s also on the board of OSEG Foundation.

Gourmet on the Gridiron in support of OSEG Foundation saw 430 attendees dine on the Ottawa Redblacks’ home turf on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

At the podium, CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston also summed up the appeal: “When they told me what this was about — having dinner on the field and raising money for kids — I thought, ‘What could be better than that?’

“You ordered up a beautiful day, and we get to hang out with the players and coaches. It really is pretty special.”

Guests also had the opportunity to meet new head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, who was joined by general manager Shawn Burke.

The evening carried extra meaning for Johnston, who grew up in Ottawa and graduated from Ashbury College. “This city helped shape who I am,” said the former Bell Media and TSN executive. He recalled cheering on the Ottawa Rough Riders with his family and playing football with his friends, including his neighbour and future Rough Rider Gerry Organ.

“Football taught me a lot. It taught me resilience and discipline and how to win with humility and to lose with a modicum of grace. It built confidence and lifelong friendships. It helped me become a better teammate, not just on the field but in my overall community.”

CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston speaking at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Looking back, Johnston said he realizes not every young person has access to those same opportunities. “That’s why the work of OSEG Foundation is so important. It’s about more than sport. It’s about access, equity and opportunity. It’s about giving young people the chance to see what’s possible.”

Roger Greenberg, managing partner and executive chairman of OSEG (Ottawa Sports and Entertainment) and chair of OSEG Foundation, thanked the business and community leaders in attendance for helping turn a night of football-themed fun into meaningful opportunities for local children and youth. He was joined by business partners John Ruddy and John Pugh.

Also present was OSEG Foundation’s new incoming executive director, Micah Garten, formerly with CHEO Foundation.

When OSEG brought CFL football back to Ottawa in 2014, it made a commitment that the Redblacks’ impact would extend far beyond the game itself, said Greenberg. “Community has always been at the heart of what we do,”  he added. “While we strive for excellence on the field, we’re equally committed to creating opportunities for children and youth across Ottawa to learn, grow and thrive.”

From left, Assunta Trunzo, Kathleen Grimes and Naja Avdiu from presenting sponsor Site Preparation Limited at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

TSN sportscaster Kate Beirness and Gord St. Denis, co-host of The Morning Pickup on Ottawa’s Pure Country 94, emceed Gourmet on the Gridiron together. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Hydro Ottawa CEO Bryce Conrad, Redblacks running backs coach Nate Taylor, retired OSEG executive Bernie Ashe, OSEG president and CEO Mark Goudie, and Redblacks head coach Ryan Dinwiddie at Gourmet on the Gridiron at TD Place Stadium. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Roger Greenberg, managing partner and executive chairman of OSEG and chair of OSEG Foundation, thanked supporters of OSEG Foundation and its signature fundraiser, Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Jennifer Sinopoli, executive vice president of CI Global Asset Management, and Janice Barresi, vice-president of brand and social impact for OSEG, at Gourmet on the Gridiron, held at TD Place Stadium. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ryan Watson from Raising the Bid led the live auction and the Fund-A-Need at Gourmet on the Gridiron, held Wednesday, June 24, 2026 in support of OSEG Foundation’s programs and initiatives for local children and youth. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, former Ottawa mayor Jim Durrell, board member with OSEG Foundation, alongside current mayor Mark Sutcliffe, and Paul McCarney, senior advisor of construction and development at Brockville-based CABN, at Gourmet on the Gridiron in support of OSEG Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Dave Walsh, managing partner at KPMG, on stage during Gourmet on the Gridiron, held at TD Place Stadium in support of OSEG Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Barry Hobin, founding partner at Hobin Architecture, and Roger Greenberg, board chair of OSEG Foundation, at Gourmet on the Gridiron held at TD Place Stadium. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The evening’s most memorable field-goal kick came courtesy of Vanessa Hannon, office generalist and security manager at Inflector Environmental Services. She sent not only the football sailing through the goalposts but her right shoe as well. She did it twice. And then a third time. “It made my day,” she said in an interview later. “I had zero expectations because I wasn’t dressed appropriately.”

Hannon, who played rugby in high school, hadn’t kicked a ball for 20 years, joking that she’s now a “retired athlete” who spends most of her time driving her children to their sports activities.

The evening featured the popular heads-or-tails fundraiser, with the last person standing winning a chartered flight with the Ottawa Redblacks to an away game. Last year, it was to Winnipeg. This year, the destination was Edmonton. The co-hosts — TSN sportscaster Kate Beirness and Gord St. Denis, co-host of The Morning Pickup on Ottawa’s Pure Country 94 — made sure neither city escaped the night with its civic pride completely intact.

Vanessa Hannon’s right shoe flies off while she attempts a field goal at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The crowd reacts as Vanessa Hannon’s football — along with her airborne shoe — sails through the goalposts. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Also back was the chaotic and cutthroat game of musical stumps, which paired each contestant with a Redblacks player. Participants were sent scrambling across the field to complete challenges and collect various items before racing back to a tree stump. The last contestant to return each round was eliminated.

Mortgage broker Kim Lambert credited linebacker Michael Brodrique with helping carry her to victory. “We were all in,” she said.

Contestant Kim Lambert reacts after winning the game of musical stumps at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Redblacks player Gino Lewis took to the stage with 15-year-old Daylynn Smeaton, a student of Notre Dame High School, to share how OSEG Foundation’s Mentorship Program has positively impacted both of their lives. Lewis provides encouragement, guidance and support to Smeaton, while she serves as his unofficial translator for the latest teen slang.

Lewis said he reminds Smeaton: “It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish” and “You can’t hide if you were born to be noticed.”

Added Smeaton without skipping a beat: “I was definitely born to be noticed.”

Redblacks player Gino Lewis and Daylynn Smeaton, 15, talk about their experience of participating in the Redblacks’ Mentorship Program during Gourmet on the Gridiron, held at TD Place Stadium in support of OSEG Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips

You could hear the genuine gratitude in Jacques Sturgeon’s voice as he shared how Autism Moves has benefited his son Daniel, 15. The program was launched by OSEG Foundation last year to address gaps in sports and recreation opportunities for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder. Its weekly sessions are designed for small group programming and one-on-one support.

“He is seen. He is supported. He is lifted. He is accepted, and he retreats less into his own world,” said Sturgeon, describing how the program has improved his son’s self-esteem, mental health and athletic development in a safe, welcoming and judgment-free environment.

“It takes him away from his devices, electronics and other distractions and keeps him present in our world, all while providing him with physical activities and outlets. He brings these skills home … We may have our own Gino Lewis living in our living room,” the father joked.

From left, Ottawa parent Jacques Sturgeon, Redblacks player Gino Lewis and Sturgeon’s wife, Jenny Sturgeon, at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This year’s event featured Ryan Watson of Raising the Bid. He led a Fund-A-Need to expand OSEG Foundation’s Autism Moves. Guests responded generously, making pledges as high as $5,000. Among the many to raise their bid cards were Kate Beirness, who pledged $1,000, and Michael Williams, managing partner of Odgers’ Ottawa office, at $2,500.

The Fund-A-Need reached its $50,000 goal, creating opportunities for more than 100 additional children and youth to participate in the program.

During the live auction, Watson kept the bidding lively with a series of experiential packages, including a fishing trip with two-time Grey Cup champ Brad Sinopoli. Trevor Kingsbury landed the winning bid on that experience while attending as a guest of Brazeau Seller Law.

The firm’s table was hard to miss throughout the auction. Among its enthusiastic bidders was director of finance Melodie Caron, who successfully claimed a package featuring dinner for eight at Vittoria Trattoria and a Redblacks game.

Later, Watson shared the breaking news that Sinopoli had agreed to host an additional fishing trip for the second-highest bidder. Sinopoli’s business executive sister Jennifer Sinopoli was in attendance.

Other auction highlights included a jam-packed Ottawa concert series, an all-inclusive trip to Toronto for a Blue Jays game, and cooking lessons with Redblacks player Zack Pelehos, proving there’s not much distance between a lineman and a line cook.

From left, Brazeau Seller Law’s Tricia Smith, director of operations, with guests Trevor Kingsbury, Sara Kingsbury, Redblacks player Dennis Briggs Jr., Brazeau Seller partner Fred Seller, Stacey Seller, Nancy Walkington, Redblacks player Shadwel Nkuba, Brazeau Seller partner Harold Feder and Melodie Caron, director of finance, at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Roger Greenberg, executive chairman of Minto Group, and John Ruddy, executive chairman of Trinity Group, are partners in Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, whose charitable foundation held its signature fundraiser, Gourmet on the Gridiron, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Ottawa Hospital president and CEO Cameron Love, OSEG partner John Pugh and Rob Ashe, board member with OSEG Foundation, at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Matthew DiCintio, regional director of operations at MARANT Construction, participated in the kicking drills at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Celeste Garland, communications specialist at Syntax Strategic, and senior director Mackenzie Houston at Gourmet on the Gridiron, held at TD Place Stadium in support of OSEG Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Redblacks player Nick Mardner at Gourmet on the Gridiron alongside members of the Bell Media team, including Stephanie Hunter, Jake Rupert, Ashley Greco, Sean Byron, Redblacks player Scott Hutter, Bell Media regional operations manager Jodi Hamilton, and Steve Harding, account director at Xactly Design. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Redblacks player Gino Lewis and Daylynn Smeaton, 15, enjoyed some playful banter with event co-host Kate Beirness at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Ashley MacCormack, senior manager of special events and sponsorship for OSEG Foundation, and Ashley Greco, co-host of The Morning Pickup on Ottawa’s Pure Country 94 and a supporter of OSEG Foundation’s upcoming Redblacks Women’s Training Camp. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Jake Maier, left, and Adrian Sciarra, president of the Redblacks, at Gourmet on the Gridiron in support of OSEG Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Hospital Foundation president and CEO Tim Kluke alongside one of the hospital’s biggest champions, Roger Greenberg, and Mark Noonan, board chair of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Rob Hewitt (MARANT Construction), Sachin Anand, Sheila McKeen (Colliers), Suzanne Pellerin (RBC Dominion Securities) and Matthew DiCintio (MARANT Construction) at Gourmet on the Gridiron in support of OSEG Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Patrick McMenemy, vice president of finance at Regional Group, and KPMG managing partner Dave Walsh at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

A  contestant in the game of musical stumps laughs off a skinned knee after taking a tumble while racing back to her stump. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Micah Garten, incoming executive director of OSEG Foundation, alongside one of its board members, Rob Ashe, community volunteer and former CEO of Cognos, and the Foundation’s former executive director, Janice Barresi, vice-president of brand and social impact for OSEG. Photo by Caroline Phillips

OSEG Foundation summer student Mairin McGuinty with her dad, Brendan McGuinty, former board chair of the Ottawa Board of Trade, at Gourmet on the Gridiron, held at TD Place Stadium. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Redblacks player Zack Pelehos donned a chef’s hat to help promote the cooking lessons he offered to the highest bidder during the live auction with Ryan Watson from Raising the Bid. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Michael Williams, managing partner of Odgers’ Ottawa office, and his wife Claudia, at Gourmet on the Gridiron in support of OSEG Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips

OSEG partner John Ruddy, centre, with the two tall Ashe brothers: Bernie, left, and Rob Ashe at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Nicholas Giorgio (Byron Rental Properties) alongside the University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s vice president of transformational gifts, Elizabeth Rodgers, and president, Lianne Laing, and Giorgio’s brother and business partner, Dino Giorgio, at Gourmet on the Gridiron, presented by Site Preparation Limited. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Redblacks player Anthony Gosselin, left, celebrates the announcement of more than $300,000 raised for OSEG Foundation by ringing his signature cowbell alongside some newly made friends at Gourmet on the Gridiron. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WEALTH (WCPD), Syntax Strategic, RBC, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law and Prime Benefits Group.

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