Ottawa hasn’t seen Leanne Cusack and Joel Haslam on local television for a few years, but the familiar faces are getting behind a microphone again — this time for a very different kind of assignment.

The former CTV Ottawa broadcasters, who are also a couple, will co-emcee The Ottawa Mission’s Blue Door Gala when it returns Thursday, Nov. 12, to Infinity Convention Centre.

Cusack was for years a very popular face on CTV News at Noon, while the affable Haslam was producer and host of Regional Contact during his decades of human-interest storytelling for CTV Ottawa. They signed off in 2023 but have remained active in the community.

That includes serving on the volunteer steering committee for the Blue Door Gala, which supports The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program (FSTP). The highly successful program gives people facing barriers to employment free culinary training, hands-on kitchen experience and help finding work in the food industry.

Joel Haslam and Leanne Cusack are former CTV Ottawa favourites and a real-life couple who will be emceeing the Blue Door Gala in support of The Ottawa Mission on Thursday, Nov. 12, at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Julie Findlay, Heather Bradley, Joseph Cull, Cathy Steele, Elizabeth Kaulback, Sheila Whyte, Lawrence Greenspon, Leanne Cusack and Joel Haslam are part of the steering committee for the Blue Door Gala and attended its launch celebration this week to promote the signature fundraiser, happening Thursday, Nov. 12. Photo by Caroline Phillips 

Former CTV Ottawa favourites Joel Haslam and Leanne Cusack, a real-life couple known for their warmth, compassion and strong community ties, will emcee this year’s Blue Door Gala when it returns to Infinity Convention Centre on Nov. 12. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Sheila Whyte, owner of Thyme & Again catering and food shop, is once again co-chairing the gala with criminal defence lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, senior counsel at Greenspon Granger Hill. They’ve been at the helm since the fundraiser launched in 2018, and keep coming back because they care about the cause so much.

“This changes lives,” said Greenspon at Wednesday’s launch event for this year’s gala, held at the Barrhaven head office of longtime presenting sponsor and homebuilder Caivan. Attendees included Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley; board member Cara Vaccarino, who’s president and CEO of The Royal, which is a major mental health, teaching and research hospital; and Jonathan Wiseman, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Caivan.

The Ottawa Mission, located downtown on Waller Street, also provides emergency shelter, meals, housing support, health and dental care, addiction and trauma programs and spiritual support.

The name Blue Door Gala is inspired not only by the colour of The Ottawa Mission’s front entrance but also by the doors the program can open for its graduates.

Whyte is proud of the fact that she’s hired many FSTP students over the years. “I’ve watched students come into a placement eager to learn, build their skills and confidence, and go on to become valued members of the workforce,” she said.

Sheila Whyte, owner of Thyme & Again catering business and food shop, and Ottawa criminal defence lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, senior counsel at Greenspon Granger Hill, have been co-chairing The Ottawa Mission’s Blue Door Gala since its inception in 2018. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Ottawa Mission’s Emma Iris provided the live entertainment with her fellow musicians for the Blue Door Gala launch reception, held at Caivan headquarters in Barrhaven on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Chef Ric Watson, who founded The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program in 2004, shared details of this year’s Blue Door Gala menu and the local chefs who will be helping the FSTP students prepare it. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Namrata Goyes, director of development for The Ottawa Mission; Jonathan Wiseman, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Caivan; and Sylvie Corbin, manager of philanthropy at The Ottawa Mission, during a launch event held at Caivan headquarters in Barrhaven to promote the Blue Door Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The FSTP was created in 2004 by The Ottawa Mission’s executive chef and director of food services, Ric Watson, affectionately known across the community as Chef Ric. His name also fronts The Mission’s social enterprise, which includes catering, prepared foods to go and the FSTP training site at 384 Rideau St., in the former Kardish Bakery location.

Chef Ric understands what it’s like to be down and out, and what it can mean when someone takes the time to believe in you. He’s known for making people feel accepted, no matter where they’re starting from.

“The Food Services Training Program is very close to my heart,” he told the room. “I know what it’s like to be hungry, I know what it’s like to have no hope, I know what it’s like to have nowhere to live, and I know what it’s like to have someone reach out to help you, and that’s what the Food Services Training Program is all about.”

For those closest to the program, the dream has long been to see the FSTP model replicated in other communities across Canada, helping more people get back to work, avoid homelessness and stay out of the justice system.

The problem? There’s only one Chef Ric — and he’s in Ottawa.

From left, The Ottawa Mission’s executive chef and director of food services Ric Watson; Ottawa Mission board member Cara Vaccarino, president and CEO of The Royal; and Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley, at a launch event for the upcoming Blue Door Gala, held at Caivan headquarters in Barrhaven. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Steering committee members Julie Findlay, host of the Ottawa In the Know show on Rogers TV, and community builder Joseph Cull, who appears to have interpreted the request to wear a splash of blue to the launch party for the Blue Door Gala as a request to make a splash. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Success stories include Jen Domonkos. She spoke about how her family fell on hard times after her husband suffered a back injury that left him unable to work. He eventually had to change careers. At the same time, Domonkos struggled to find work, leaving the family under growing financial pressure.

She learned about the FSTP after stopping by Chef Ric’s storefront for its famously affordable breakfast. By January 2025, she had gone from being a full-time stay-at-home mom to a student of the program.

“I jumped in with both feet, learning as much as possible from as many chefs and cooks as I could,” said Domonkos. “The hard work paid off.”

Don’t let the crossed-arms pose fool you, Chef Ric Watson — joined by Food Services Training Program graduate and guest speaker Jen Domonkos — is known more for his warmth than attitude. Photo by Caroline Phillips

She spoke about being welcomed into the Thyme & Again family, returning to Chef Ric’s as a guest instructor, and helping with store demos for the launch of Chef Ric’s products at grocery retailer Farm Boy.

Domonkos is now part of the team at The Mission, working in the shelter kitchen and helping on the catering side with events such as Ottawa Bluesfest’s backstage VIP area.

“I’m proud of what I do, and I love it.”

The wife and mother spoke about how her family can now pay the bills, keep food on the table and save for their children’s post-secondary education. Domonkos has also found success beyond the kitchen, serving on the Ottawa Culinary Federation’s education committee and earning awards through the organization.

“It is important to me that my kids see me putting myself out there and being as involved in the community as possible,” said Domonkos, who believes it’s never too late to turn things around. “You can still take control of your life and make a better world for your loved ones.”

The Blue Door Gala will feature silent and live auctions and a gourmet dinner prepared by FSTP students with the help of local chefs. It’s the final exam that attendees get to eat.

Attendees will then get to cheer the proud students on as Chef Ric hands out their graduation certificates, which is a highlight of the evening for many.

For more information about the Blue Door Gala, visit The Ottawa Mission’s website.

Current and former students of The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program participated in the launch party for the upcoming Blue Door Gala, which supports the FSTP, which gives people facing barriers to employment free culinary training, hands-on kitchen experience and help finding work in the food industry. 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, Westland Benefits and Ottawa Rapid FC.

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