In Honour of the late Mahesh Butani

The Spectator's tribute to Mahesh can be found by clicking here, or buying June 24th's paper. 

Mahesh Butani was a passionate individual who was steadfast in his convictions. His love for Hamilton was second to none, and we are deeply saddened to learn of Mahesh's passing.

We thought it most fitting to honour Mahesh by reposting an answer he gave to a question we once asked him in The Hamiltonian:

If you had the undivided attention of all Hamiltonians, including city council, what would you say to council, and what would you say to Hamiltonians, in terms of advice on how we can better succeed as a city?

To the Council:

Endeavour to meet at least one other councilor and their family for an informal dinner once a week through the term, in spite of conflicting agendas and schedules.

Always be wary of forming a quorum at barbeques, games and chat rooms.

Stay the course on the vision of making Hamilton a ' People's Place' as per the internationally recognized definition of the term, in spite of conflicting agendas.

Hand over the baton with grace when you feel you have given your best to the community and have nothing more to contribute to the ever evolving public good in rapidly changing times.

To Hamiltonians:

Form new Citizens Talent Banks and not new Watch Groups.
Start trading in innovative ideas amongst different talent banks and the Council.

Collaborate with your Councillor to achieve your aspirations for Hamilton.

Don't be afraid in forming a quorum at barbeques, games and chat rooms.

Stay the course on the vision of making Hamilton a 'People"s Place' as per the internationally recognized definition of the term, in spite of conflicting agendas.

Mentor with grace those who you feel are capable of leading the next guard to enhance the ever evolving public good in rapidly changing times, and show up to vote for them when your time comes to take a stand.

Rest in Peace Mahesh. You will be missed!

The Hamiltonian

In tribute to Reverend Brother Michael Baldasaro

There was no-one quite like Michael Baldasaro, except perhaps Walter Tucker, his long time friend. Michael was a true original with a unique spirit and was a relentless passion for the causes he believed in.

If one did not know Michael, you might have found his appearance rather offputting. But Michael was a brilliant conversationalist, a bright and learned man and a man blessed with life experience and wisdom. 

He was fearless as he stormed our country's highest courts to stand up for his beliefs. As leader of the Church of the Universe, Michael held fast to his spirituality.

Michael will be dearly missed by Hamilton and by Hamiltonians. He was truly, "The Baldasaro".

Rest in Peace Brother Michael. 

The Hamiltonian

Please feel free to post your tributes and recollections on the life Michael.

From the Lens of Ron Ogulin

Click on pic to enlargen

Ron Ogulin is a talented local photographer, who specilaizes in shooting by Hamilton shorelines.  Enjoy this shot by Ron. 

If you are a photographer who would like to submit a picture for consideration, please send to admin@thehamiltonian.info

Food for Thought with Alex Bielak - New RBG Chef Reaches for the Moon

Chef Stephanie Brewster in New Kitchen

New RBG Chef Reaches for the Moon

I’ve written previously about the ‘Luna’ re-launch events for the rejuvenated Crown Jewel of the Royal Botanical Gardens’, the stunning David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden. More on that below, but the real long-term foodie story here is of a new chef with serious cred that has been enticed from London, Ontario to take over culinary operations at the RBG. I believe Chef Stephanie Brewster is going to transform RBG’s culinary operations for the better.

Hailing from Fanshawe College, where she was a popular professor in the culinary program, she was the winner of the very first episode of Chopped Canada, impressing chef judges Michael Smith, Vikram Vij and Anne Yarymowich. Along with some other food writers I had the opportunity to meet her (again in my case) at a walkthrough of the new facilities at the Garden.

Brewster with her great attitude and ready chuckle is easy to warm to. She has quickly immersed herself in the local culinary scene. Clearly relishing competition, she went head to head with three other chefs in a recent Popup Hamilton Showdown where she produced a stunning dessert pairing for a Peller Estates Icewine she was assigned to match up with.

She told me, just having returned from Italy, and with only six weeks in the Burlington/Hamilton area

Brit Floyd Captures Hamilton Place Audience

Pink Floyd tribute band Brit Floyd, once again delivered a stunning show at Hamilton Place. You may recall that the band last played in Hamilton in April 2015. Our review of that particular show can be read by clicking here.

This time around Brit Floyd again dazzled the audience and delivered a memorable evening of Pink Floyd classics flawlessly. The erethral presentation of the music itself, the dazzling laser light show and constant images being projected on a large circular film screen over the stage, transported the audience into a dream-like state. Spontaneous standing ovations were again earned, and the band continued to churn out complicated pieces with precision, passion and energy.

If you are a Pink Floyd fan, or simply interested in masterful performances, Brit Floyd is well worth seeing. To learn more about the band, click here.

Food for Thought with Alex Bielak - Sips and Bites – In like a lion edition

Sips and Bites – In like a lion edition 

March certainly came in like a lion, so perhaps our early Easter will be full of crocuses, daffs and baa lambs. One can hope. In this edition of Food for Thought, a quick look back at the Living Rock Soupfest, and some May dates for your calendars at the RBG.

The real winners at the Rock’s Soupfest are of course the youth-at-risk supported to the tune of well over $50K raised by the generous sponsors and almost 5,000 attendees. Truth be told, while the chefs and restaurants contribute hugely to this too because they want to support a worthy initiative, at heart they are competitive as heck and vie hard to win bragging rights by scooping the top awards.

I was honoured to be a judge last year (see a report on that here) and once again late in February. My fellow judges were again blogger Chanry Thatch and Amanda Kinnaird, now a communications advisor to Mayor Fred who participated in the as a celebrity soup server. We were joined this year by the lovely and knowledgeable Jane Allison, Manager of Community Partnerships at the Spec.

We blind-tasted 21 soups in all, and whereas last year the judges settled on the simplest of mushroom soups as the “foodies choice” winner, this year we were unanimous in our choice of a soup that was complex beyond belief. Soup specialists, Burnt Tongue won for their Cheeseburger and Fries soup that we described as “a spot on recreation of a cheeseburger in soup form. It was a creative, risky and complex dish.”

Our first runner up was the hearty white bean and sausage ribollita, by perennial winner/finalist Chef Nina Ruelens of the 4th Course Bistro at Copetown Woods. Chef Matt Kershaw, heading up the Except for Kenneth team was 2nd runner up for a balanced potato pecorino truffle soup. We gave a technical mention for a coconut dessert soup by the My Thai folks too. Each soup was a standout in its own way.

The full list of winners can be found here, including the People’s Choice, by Fishers Pier Eatery for a very good Jalapeno Popper soup. See the photos section to get an idea of the scope of the event and view some of the colourful soups we tasted.

Judging is inevitably subjective, and our scoring grid was complex. What is always surprising to me is how easily the judges are able to identify the top contenders. Frankly all the top contestants are worth a visit, and I’d encourage folk to support them. Go for the soup and stay for lunch or dinner. And tell them that you came BECAUSE they supported Soupfest. I’m already looking forward to taking up the invite to serve as a judge again next year…
++++

I wrote in a previous column about upcoming re-launch events proposed for the Royal Botanical Gardens. I’ve just heard from the organizer that the dates of the two flagship foodie events have been set. Darlene Bennet-Howes notes she has met their “new Executive Chef Kim Sutherland, to discuss our short list of Burlington/Hamilton Chefs and get the chef invites out there.”

So mark your calendars for the “Land of Luna” Grand Opening Celebration Family Event May 14th, from 6-10 pm. They promise “wizards, magicians, fairies, jesters, fire jugglers, and more (will) celebrate Spring’s return to the new David Braley & Nancy Gordon

Rock Garden.” If you want to celebrate in more adult fashion, the Thursday May 19th event is for you. Tickets for both events will be on sale April 1st via www.rbg.ca.

And who knows, by then, perhaps some of those spring lambs might be on the menu with a side of foraged ramps!

For more pictures click here
To see all past columns please see (and “like”) the Food for Thought Archives
Alex (Alex can be reached at fft@thehamiltonian.info or on twitter @AlexBielak)