Date & time
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Registration is closed
Reunions
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Global Alumni Holiday Celebration
Speaker(s)
Maya Toussaint, BA 05; Hanna Hajilou, BA 07; Jacky Blisson, BA 02
Cost
This event is free.
Organization
University Advancement
Contact
Where
Online
Wednesday, December 8
6 – 7:30 p.m Eastern Time
Turn on the festive mood with a classic wine and cheese with a twist hosted by Maya Toussaint, BA 05.
You will be taken on a journey in the art of creating the perfect grazing platter from Food Stylist, Hanna Hajilou, BA 07, who will give you a step-by-step process on how to create a show-stopper.
Relish the moment by learning more about the complexities of wine pairings from Master of Wine, Jacky Blisson, BA 02. The evening will be full of flavours and textures to fully engage all your senses.
For the twist, you will get the chance to share your creations with others online and ask any questions from our experts!
All we want for the holidays is for you to join us!
Jacky Blisson, BA 02 is a Canadian wine writer, educator, and is proud to be the first Master of Wine in Quebec.
If one counts the adolescent years she spent nosing old Bordeaux with her father and poring over Hugh Johnson tomes, Jacky has been immersed in the world of wine for over 30 years.
During her 11-year sojourn in France, Jacky held successive positions as UK and North American Export Sales Manager for Burgundy fine wine brokerage Domaine Wines and major Southern Rhône Valley winery Gabriel Meffre.
Since returning to Montreal, Jacky has focused on sharing her passion for all thing vinous through her freelance writing, frequent master classes, fine wine consulting services, and judging.
In her free time, Jacky also produces an eponymous YouTube wine education video series.
Jacky’s wine recommendations to pair with your platter
- A sparkling wine with a high red grape content: Crémant de Bourgogne, Cava Rosado, Champagne, traditional method sparkling wine from California, Ontario, etc.
- A fruity, medium bodied Chardonnay: Mâcon, Niagara, Oregon, Sonoma Coast
- A southern Côtes du Rhône red wine
- For sweet wine lovers: A fortified dessert red wine like Port, Banyuls, Maury, etc.
- For dry wine lovers: Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec: France for drier, more tannic; Argentina for fruitier, smoother
Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Hanna has always been passionate about food.
While most kids would wait for Saturday morning cartoons, she would anxiously wait for Julia Child's “Cooking with Master Chefs” show to come on. Of course, inspiration also came from chefs Lidia Bastianich and Jacques Pepin, but no one ever quite did it like Madame Julia Child.
From those early days of pretending to be Madame Child to watching her mother cook another feast for a big gathering at their home, food has always meant an abundance of colour, decadent flavours, and delicious smells - but equally, laughter, sharing, and quality time with those we love.
Hanna’s shopping list to make your own platter
- 50g of Brie
- 50g of manchego
- 50g of aged cheddar
- 50g of Stilton (or goat if you don’t like blue)
- 8 slices of coppa
- 8 slices of Genoa
- 1 pack of Carr’s crackers
- 2 cups of green grapes
- 5 strawberries
- 1 container of blueberries
- 1 bunch of rosemary
- 2 figs
- Green olives
- Mini pickles
Maya Toussaint is a facilitator, presenter, career advisor and content tour guide with 14+ years of recruitment and HR experience. Having worked at LinkedIn for five years, she is comfortable collaborating with global organizations ranging from startups to the largest international giants.
Maya brings a sense of humour, empathy, and real-world context to topics such as marketing, diversity, equity and inclusion and anti-racism practices. In her current role at Shopify, she helps students go through a four-year work-integrated learning program.