From left, Culinary Clash contestant Duane Francis, Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation CEO David Gourlay, Culinary Clash contestants Joanne Kudakiewicz and Jennifer Stewart, Ideal Roofing vice president Philippe Laplante and Culinary Clash contestant Yasser Ghazi at Taste for Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Taste for Hope tops $400K for Shepherds of Good Hope, names inaugural Culinary Clash winner
Syntax founder and CEO Jennifer Stewart wasn’t sure she had the kitchen prowess to participate in The Capital Culinary Clash, a brand new cooking competition added to Shepherds of Good Hope’s signature fundraiser, Taste for Hope.
“I have impostor syndrome — for the first time,” the confident businesswoman joked after arriving to Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata, where the fundraiser was held last night.
More than 450 attendees came out to support the Shepherds’ housing program, which helps individuals facing chronic homelessness, mental health issues, and substance use challenges secure the kind of stable housing that provides them with a sense of dignity, safety, and belonging.
The Shepherds have six supportive housing facilities across the city, including its largest, Hope Living, located in Kanata.
The evening featured 17 chefs from Ottawa restaurants and food service providers, along with six beverage partners. They all donated their time, talent and culinary creations in aid of Shepherds of Good Hope.
Taste for Hope managed to raise more than $400,000, it was confirmed earlier today by Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation CEO David Gourlay. The fundraiser received a major boost from a Fund-A-Need led by Raising the Bid’s Ryan Watson, who asked attendees to consider donating a sum that felt comfortable to them. Shepherds’ board member Catherine Danbrook; Michael Williams, managing partner at Odgers Berndtson; Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation board chair Kaveh Rikhtegar; and pharmacy owner Paul Brooks all responded with $5,000 gifts while other business and community leaders also pitched in with smaller donations.
The evening was presented by CLV Group and PBC Group, with Ideal Roofing sponsoring the fundraising cooking competition. The word “cooking” might be a stretch—the contestants’ challenge was to whip up their own version of the classic PB&J sandwich, a nod to the very first Shepherds meal served 42 years ago by Father Jack Heffernan to an individual facing hardship.
The participants had five minutes to complete their creations. In the end, Stewart beat out her competitors: Yasser Ghazi, vice president of commercial financial services at RBC; Joanne Kudakiewicz, community relations manager at Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network (DFSIN); and Duane Francis, portfolio manager and senior financial advisor at Capital Wealth Partners/Mandeville Private Client.
Stewart and her team raised the most money, bringing in $7,114. She also shared that she and Kudakiewicz, who have since become friends, plan to host a fundraiser together for Shepherds of Good Hope.
Jennifer Stewart (far right) was the winner of the inaugural Culinary Clash, held during the Taste for Hope fundraiser for Shepherds of Good Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation CEO David Gourlay, Brookstreet Hotel general manager Nyle Kelly, and Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation board chair Kaveh Rikhtegar at Taste for Hope, held at Brookstreet Hotel on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Yasser Ghazi on stage for the inaugural Capital Culinary Clash — which involved creating a new twist on the PB&J sandwich — during Taste for Hope, a signature fundraiser for Shepherds of Good Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From the PCB Group team were Maria Martinez, Paul Bouzanis (president and CEO of PBC Group), Shepherds of Good Hope CEO Stephen Bartolo, and Jonathan Roy and Chris Milne, also with PCB Group, at Taste for Hope, held at Brookstreet Hotel in support of Shepherds of Good Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Jennifer Stewart had her own fan club, including (left) morning show radio host Ashley Greco (Pure Country 94), during the Capital Culinary Clash. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Bianca Nielsen (Fiora Breads by Bianca), Culinary Clash winner Jennifer Stewart (Syntax Strategic), Liz Ellwood (LE Strategies, Maverick’s Donuts) and WBN Businesswoman of the Year finalist Bree Jamieson-Holoway, vice-chairperson of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, at Taste for Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Duane Francis, portfolio manager and senior financial advisor at Capital Wealth Partners/Mandeville Private Client, participated in and supported Taste for Hope immediately after co-chairing a golf tournament for the cancer foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Amanda Gordon, chief talent officer at CLV Group, alongside CLV Group Development CEO Oz Drewniak, and Erin McEvoy, senior marketing and communications associate at CLV Group, at Taste for Hope, held at Brookstreet Hotel on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ryan Watson from Raising the Bid helped to raise thousands for Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation during the Fund-A-Need, during Taste for Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Philippe Laplante, vice president of sales and marketing at Ideal Roofing, and Madison Laplante are long-time supporters of Shepherds of Good Hope’s Taste for Hope fundraiser, held this year at Brookstreet Hotel. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Rideau Club president Shawn Hamilton, principal at Proveras Commercial Realty, and Carol-Ann Goering, CEO of the Rideau Club, which participated in Taste for Hope, a foodie fundraiser held at Brookstreet Hotel in support of Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Taste for Hope emcee and CTV News anchor Stefan Keyes on stage with RBC’s Yasser Ghazi, who competed in the inaugural Culinary Clash at the Taste for Hope fundraiser for Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Stewart proudly shared with CTV News Ottawa anchor and event emcee Stefan Keyes that several of her sandwich ingredients were sourced from local businesses owned by women. The flour was from her own Ottawa Valley Grain Products, while her friends Liz Ellwood (Maverick’s Donuts) and Bianca Nielsen (Fiora Breads by Bianca) also came through with their sweet contributions. The jam was sourced from the Almonte Farmers’ Market.
“Not only are you a girl’s girl but you’re also clearly a boss lady,” quipped Keyes, applauding her impressive leadership. Stewart had an army of women out supporting her, waving fan face cutouts of Stewart.
While Francis didn’t win, he certainly deserved an honourable mention for taking part after spending his day co-chairing a charity golf tournament in support of the cancer foundation. Ghazi was not only excited to participate but perhaps even more so to announce a generous $50,000 donation from RBC to Shepherds, in support of its Community Development and Integration Program.
Also out that night was a team from Senators Community Foundation, which is a big supporter of Shepherds, as well.
The Capital Culinary Clash saw Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Taste for Hope honorary chair Joe Thottungal (executive chef and owner of Coconut Lagoon and Thali restaurants), and Nik Lemieux, owner of Mirabel Management, serve as judges for the friendly showdown.
The mayor told CiTC afterward how impressed he was by the “incredibly creative” sandwiches, admitting his standards may not have been as high as Thottungal’s. “He was like a real Food Network judge,” the mayor said with a laugh. “I was more like, ‘This tastes great!'”
The event featured a VIP After Party, presented by Boyden and headlined by Calian Group CEO Kevin Ford’s band, Mannequin @ The Door.
This year’s Taste for Hope marked the first time Shepherds held their fundraiser outside the downtown core. “We were excited to bring the event to Brookstreet because of the incredible work Shepherds of Good Hope does in the community,” said Brookstreet general manager Nyle Kelly in an interview with CiTC.
The fundraiser also attracted new faces to the hotel, Kelly added. “It’s great to spread the event around and showcase what the west end has to offer.”
While Taste for Hope may have been further this year from Liberal MP Mona Fortier’s Ottawa-Vanier riding, she didn’t hesitate to attend. ‘I always follow the Shepherds,’ she said warmly.
Nik Lemieux, seen alongside Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and chef and restaurant owner Joe Thottungal was one of the judges for the inaugural Culinary Clash held at Taste for Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Duane Francis, portfolio manager and senior financial advisor at Capital Wealth Partners/Mandeville Private Client, and Dr. Bella Mehta and Sanjay Shah, CEO of ExecHealth, at Taste for Hope, held at Brookstreet Hotel, in support of Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and his wife, Ginny, with Carole Saad, who supported Taste for Hope through Chic + Swell Event Designers and LouLou Lounge Furniture Rental. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Carrie Irvine, founder and CEO of Carrie Irvine Communications, and business development leader and live music supporter Ted Carty, both of whom were involved in helping to organize this year’s Taste for Hope fundraiser held at Brookstreet Hotel on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in support of Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Taste for Hope honorary chair Joe Thottungal helped to judge the inaugural Culinary Clash alongside Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Nik Lemieux. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Kathryn Tremblay, founder of Altis Recruitment, participated in the Fund-A-Need that raised tens of thousands more for the Shepherds of Good Hope at the Taste for Hope fundraiser, held at the Brookstreet Hotel on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Jason Hunt, portfolio manager, private client group, at First Avenue Investment Counsel, and Ottawa physician, medical influencer and author Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng at the Taste for Hope fundraiser for Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and his wife, Ginny, with Carole Saad, who supported Taste for Hope through Chic + Swell Event Designers and LouLou Lounge Furniture Rental. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Scrivens Insurance and Investment Solutions partners Claude Miron, left, and Jake Scrivens with Jake’s parents, Heather Bradley and Michael Scrivens, who’s also a partner, at the Taste for Hope fundraiser for Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Kevin Ford, CEO of Calian Group, performed with his band, Mannequin @ The Door, at Taste for Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Duane Francis, portfolio manager and senior financial advisor at Capital Wealth Partners/Mandeville Private Client, putting his own spin on the PB&J sandwich during the Culinary Clash competition held during Taste for Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Joanne Kudakiewicz and Jennifer Stewart shared their plans to work together to host a fundraiser for Shepherds of Good Hope, after Stewart was named the Culinary Clash winner at the Taste for Hope fundraiser, held at Brookstreet Hotel. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Donna Logan and Tim Mitchell performed on stage with the Mannequin @ the Door band during Taste for Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Nicholas Allaham, principal family office practice at First Avenue Investment Counsel, with his wife, lawyer Chloe Allaham, Emily Gray (client services specialist at Raymond James) and Jason Hunt, portfolio manager, private client group at First Avenue Investment Counsel. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Kevin Ford, CEO of Calian Group, performed with his band, Mannequin @ The Door, at Taste for Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Stephen Bartolo, CEO of Shepherds of Good Hope, and his wife, Orla Bartolo, at Taste for Hope, held in support of Shepherds of Good Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Meaghan Baker and her husband Andrew Baker (regional sales manager for Bell Media), CTV News Ottawa journalist Katie Griffin, Bell Media’s director of news & information programming, Peter Angione, Bell Media operations manager Jodi Hamilton and her husband, Todd Hamilton, at Taste for Hope, held at Brookstreet Hotel. Photo by Caroline Phillips
David Gourlay, CEO of Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation, and Yasser Ghazi, vice president of commercial financial services at RBC, during a $50,000-gift announcement made during Taste for Hope, held at Brookstreet Hotel in support of Shepherds of Good Hope. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Elle Sherlock was the opening act for the VIP After Party, presented by Boyden, at Taste for Hope, held at Brookstreet Hotel in support of Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Oliver Saner, fundraiser at The Royal Ottawa Foundation, Jesika Arseneau, vice president of strategy and culture at TAG HR, and mental health advocate Maddy Eisenberg at Taste for Hope, held at Brookstreet Hotel in support of Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Taste for Hope, held at Brookstreet Hotel, included a VIP After Party, presented by Boyden. 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 and Brazeau Seller Law.
hello@carolineinthecapital.ca
SHARE THIS STORY
Stay in the know
Get stories + event highlights from the capital delivered to your inbox.
