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Doing good through gourmet

Alumni-founded organization hosts gastronomic cook-off to grant sick kids’ wishes
October 17, 2013
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By Alyssa Tremblay

Attention foodies: Looking for a good reason to indulge those gourmet taste buds?

The Fondation Amal, a Montreal-based non-profit founded by four John Molson School of Business graduates, is hosting a battle of the chefs called “Délices au pays des merveilles” to raise money for children suffering from chronic illnesses and disabilities.

Fondation Amal hosts the “Délices au pays des merveilles” benefit cook-off at New City Gas on October 23. Fondation Amal hosts the “Délices au pays des merveilles” benefit cook-off at New City Gas on October 23. | Courtesy: Fondation Amal

Guests will vote for the best of five dishes, each cooked by a top Montreal chef: Adam Aspelund, Fisun Ercan, Sergio Mattoscio, Antonio Park and Alexandre Gosselin.

A ticket pays for a taste of all five culinary creations — plus drinks, amuse-bouches and dessert — and goes towards fulfilling the wishes of two children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.

“We’re hoping to raise $20,000 to send Jade and her family to Disneyland and Miguel and his family to swim with the dolphins,” says Sherin Al-Safadi, MBA 10, one of the organization’s founders.

In December 2011 on a flight to Dubai, Al-Safadi drew up a business plan for this not-so-typical fundraising group.

She reached out to Mirella Mokbel, Klemen Ferjan and Jenny Therriault, three MBA classmates who graduated her in 2010. They decided to focus on helping sick children, choosing the name “amal,” which means ‘purity’ in Mohawk and ‘hope’ in Arabic.

Al-Safadi, now a PhD candidate in Concordia’s Department of Biology, says Fondation Amal strives to differentiate itself from other non-profits by engaging with the community through partnerships with other Montreal-based groups.

They target younger people with trendy fundraising events in the hope of fostering a new generation of philanthropists.

Foundation Amal hosted its first event in 2012, raising $12,000 for Leucan, an association that helps children suffering from cancer and their families, at a fashion show featuring local designers and talent.

This year, Fondation Amal is partnering with the Quebec West Chapter of the Children’s Wish Foundation.

The culinary competition will take place October 23 at New City Gas, 950 Ottawa St., Montreal. Learn more and buy tickets  Fondation Amal's website.

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