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Michelin-Star Chefs Come Together to Support Life-Saving Innovation at Sunnybrook

Chef's Circle Group event image

William Cheng is turning the art of fine dining into a powerful force for change. As the founder of Chefs’ Circle, the Sunnybrook Foundation Board member and visionary entrepreneur has used his love for world-class cuisine to raise over $1 million for life-saving research at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Known for his acclaimed Japanese restaurants, including Sushi Masaki Saito, a two-star Michelin restaurant, Cheng combines his culinary mastery with a deep commitment to advancing healthcare. Through Chefs’ Circle, he’s created a one-of-a-kind gala event featuring an extraordinary dining experience that not only delights the senses but also funds groundbreaking innovation that has the potential to transform lives.

A Unique Dining Experience

The Chefs’ Circle Gala provides a unique dining experience, showcasing exceptional menus crafted by Michelin-starred chefs from Cheng’s restaurants, top culinary talents from Toronto, and renowned international chefs from Michelin-starred establishments. More than 300 guests savored dishes such as scallop with ponz jello and aubergine caviar, leek soup, Japanese tomato caviar, lemon risotto, and Peking duck, finishing with coconut panna cotta for dessert. This exceptional event brought together Toronto’s philanthropic community to raise funds for Sunnybrook.

A table set up with scallop with ponz jello at the Chef's Circle event, 2024
One of several outstanding courses served at the 2024 Chefs’ Circle Gala

Making a Difference through Dining

The Chefs’ Circle Gala is dedicated to raising funds for Sunnybrook’s most urgent priorities, with a focus on supporting donations that can be directed where they are most needed. By broadening the scope of donor support, the event aims to enhance Sunnybrook’s ability to respond to evolving healthcare demands and to invest in groundbreaking research, patient care, and advanced medical technology.

William Cheng believes in the power of food to bring people together for a good cause.

“I hope everyone leaves Chefs’ Circle feeling happier for the experience and the knowledge that they’ve helped someone,” he says. “If that happens, then I’ve done my job.”

An Unforgettable Culinary Experience

Plans for next year’s Gala are already underway, promising even more unforgettable culinary experiences and generating excitement from our community to support crucial healthcare advancements at Sunnybrook. Since its debut in 2020, Chefs’ Circle has raised over $1 million for Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. This support sends an important message: It’s a recognition that health care is constantly evolving, and Sunnybrook’s ability to respond to its most urgent needs must be just as nimble.

William Cheng presenting a cheque to Sunnybrook Foundation at the annual Chef Circle event in 2024
William Cheng presents a cheque to Kelly Cole, CEO of Sunnybrook
Foundation, and Andy Smith, CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, at the 2024 Chefs’ Circle Gala

William Cheng’s vision for Chefs’ Circle is clear: create an extraordinary dining experience that brings our community together to make a real difference in the lives of Sunnybrook’s patients and their families for years to come.

Learn more about this year’s Chefs’ Circle Gala and how you can support urgent needs and life-saving research at Sunnybrook.