Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet Gala 2013

The 8th Annual Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet Charity Gala took place on the evening of Saturday, June 15th. This event is where some of the most influential people in Vancouver come together to help raise money for charitable cause. This year the gala supported the Canadian Cancer Society, BC & Yukon division. Every one of us has probably either been affected by or know someone who has been touched by cancer so it is a very worthy cause to fund the research to eradicate this horrendous disease. 

Hundreds of guests attended the event, which included a live and silent auction and featured a concert by well-known Canadian performers, Colin James and Rosette!

Miss and Mr World Canada were among the people who attended the gala.

Guests enjoyed an open bar and a selection of canapés from some of Vancouver's top restaurants and food places: Bosa Foods, Terra Breads, Caffe Artigiano, C Restaurant, Establishment, Federico's Supper Club, Hart House Restaurant, HousexGuest, HY's Steakhouse Cocktail Bar, Joe Fortes, JOEY Restaurant, Nu Greek, Provence Marinaside & Mediterranean Grill, Raincity Grill, and Soirette.

 

Signature C Stix by C Restaurant

Hard cheese samples from Bosa Foods

Fresh artisan bread from Terra Breads

Tuna Chopsticks by JOEY Restaurant

'Prawns Provencal' - Sauteed Jumbo Prawns with Garlic and flambeed with Brandy
by Provence Marinaside & Mediterranean Grill

Caesar Salad - prepared with micro romaine leaves by HY's Steakhouse Cocktail Bar

Hy's Meatballs with Hy's signature 'only' sauce

Black Truffle Sac cottini pasta chip by Establishment

African Peanut Soup by Establishment

Tuna Belly Tartar with seaweed potato chip by HousexGuest

Rabbit Rillette, house made cracker, pickled rhubarb gel, radish sprouts by Raincity Grill

Chicken Souvlaki by Nu Greek

Smoked tomato gazpacho with lemon dill by Hart House Restaurant

Shrimp and AAA Beef Steak 'Salad', arugula pistou, grana padanochip by Hart House Restaurant

Mushroom Crostini - crostini ai funghi by Federico's Supper Club

Crab Tarts - tortine di granchio by Federico's Supper Club

Bufala Mozzarella Profiteroles - bigne alla caprese by Federico's Supper Club

Assorted Signature Macarons by Soirette

Red Velvet Chocolate Mousse by Soirette

 This mousse was to heaven! They are SO GOOD. I must have eaten three of them!

Scallop Ceviche on the half shell topped with Jalapeno Vinaigrette by Joe Fortes

Prawn Cocktail with Joe's House Cocktail Sauce by Joe Fortes

Artisan Coffee: espresso based drinks and single origin brewed coffee by Caffe Artigiano

While guests were sipping and savouring, the silent auction was well on its way. People were perusing the many items donated generously by the event sponsors.

There were many phones donated by presenting sponsor, TELUS. I had my eye on them! It was also quite easy to bid on items. It was all via phone. We registered our credit cards at the beginning of the event and all we had to do was text the item number and the bid amount and the system would send you a text if successful and also notify you if you have been outbid! I'm glad to say I won 3 out of 5 of the items I was bidding on! I like winning auctions.

The night's entertainment started with radio hosts, Tammy Moyer and Kid Carson making the opening speeches.

Then Letitia Frye, America's foremost "Autctiontainer" took the reins and started the live auction. She was really entertaining walking all around on her six inch heels! Holy!

A bidding war started on this guitar!

Five cakes made by top patisseries in around Vancouver were also put up for auction but people seemed reluctant to bid on them. From top to bottom, left to right: Ganache Patisserie, Le Gateau Bakeshop, Thomas Haas, Faubourg, Gretchen's Here and Now.

Thomas Haas' Heart

Then came a game of Head & Tails. Participants had to either put their hands on their heads or their behind to predict how the coin that Kid Carson threw would land.

To participate, one must purchase one of these stylish sunglasses for $20.

But it is so worth it because the winner gets to take home a Franck Muller watch, donated by Rodeo Jewellers, valued at over $16,000!

This lucky lady did it! Tails takes it!

After all that fun, Rosette took the stage and set it on fire with her singing and dance moves!

Colin James followed Rosette, drawing a even bigger crowd at front of the stage where everyone started dancing.

At the end of the night, everyone was dancing and have a good time, all in the name of fundraising! The funds raised this night will help fund cancer research, advocacy, prevention, information and support to those living with cancer. Even if you were not able to attend this event, please consider donating to this worthy cause!