Dragon Ball 2015 in support of Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation

On Saturday, Dragon Ball 2015 in support of the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation brought together some 1,100 top political leaders, business leaders and community leaders to celebrate the year of Ram/Sheep.
This year’s gala, presented by BMO Financial Group, paid tribute to Yee Hong foundation’s first Corporate Capital Campaign Chair Elizabeth Comper, and former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion for their support to the Yee Hong community.
Among the guests were Toronto Mayor John Tory, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Canada’s New Democratic Party Leader Thomas Mulcair, and way too many more to list.

Dr. Joseph Wong and John Tory

Hazel McCallion

This year’s new location, Allstream Centre proved to be the perfect venue for Dragon Ball 2015. The 43,900 square-foot ballroom was divided by operable partitions into two sections, one for the early cocktail reception and after party reception, the other for all the actions and the Michelin dining experience.

Guests also experienced traditional arts including calligraphy, mahjong, and paper-cutting at the Chinese cultural booths.

Chinese paper-cutting booth

Chinese calligraphy booth

Chinese paper-cutting booth

Grand raffle prize-2015 Audi A3

The reception served Midland Seafood, Linda Modern Thai, Hung’s Delicacies, and just when we thought the gourmet experience couldn’t get better, the four-course dinner menu curated by 3-star Michelin chef Alvin Leung and award winning chef Eric Chong blew our minds away. Roasted beetroot salad was garnished with crispy lotus root chips and beautifully presented on the plate. Canadian black cod was complemented by sweet pumpkin cakes. Sour cherry & red date sorbet added a delightful twist to the crème brûlée.
All the while, a great combination of East-meets-West performances entertained the dining guests: traditional Chinese dragon dance by Sunny Tang Performance Troupe, “Mo Li Hua” performance by Toronto Yuefang and the ASLAN Boys Choir, a Buddha dance by the Chinese Collective Arts Association, and the evening’s highlight-Juno Award R&B singer Jully Black’s live performance.

Jully Black

Chilean sea bass by chef Alvin Leung and Eric Chong

beetroot salad by chef Alvin Leung and Eric Chong

Stephen Siu, Chef Alvin Leung and Chef Eric Chong

Toronto Yuefang Ensemble

The Chair of Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care Eric Tong presented a sneak preview of the upcoming “The Yee Hong Story” documentary film that is set to première on OMNI Television later this year.

A Chinese host will never let a guest leave hungry (speaking from experience), especially not on CNY. As we were about to leave the gala, a new round of dessert station awaits: Fumi Ice-cream, Lindt Chocolate, and Dufflet macarons.

One lucky attendee left with the beautiful 2015 Audi A3 donated by Audi Uptown.

About The Dragon Ball…
The Dragon Ball is Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation’s annual fundraiser that started back in 1990. The fundraiser raises funds to build Yee Hong Centres for Geriatric Care. Since its founding, the Dragon Ball has raised enough funds to build 4 centres across the GTA providing seniors with long-term care and support.

Jully Black

Hazel McCallion

Macallan whiskey girls

Jully Black

Hung’s Delicacies

mango and green tea ice cream by Fumi-ice

creme brûlée with sour cherry & red date sorbet

Jully Black live performance

Lindt milk chocolate truffles

chicken by chef Alvin Leung and Eric Chong

Hazel McCallion

Hazel McCallion

Chinese dragon dance

bar

silent auction

Hung’s Delicacies

Linda Modern Thai

Linda Modern Thai

shrimp tower

shrimp tower

oysters by Midland Seafood

(photos by Nancy)