December, 2005 - Nr. 12
German Gala Ball has gone Canadian
After the annual affair last year voices could be heard that the ball had not enough German elements in it and that at least the Master of Ceremonies should be someone somewhat familiar with the German scene in Toronto. Thus the anticipation was high as to what this year’s ball would bring.
At the Reception
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The
theme was Berlin, which let us hope that there would be lots of Berliner
ambience; and there was to a degree, in form of a curtain - resembling the
Brandenburg Gate - boxing in the reception area
of the Imperial Room. There were Berliner teddy bears in the room with the
presentation of the silent auction and a marketing speech from Tourism
Berlin, as well as some brochures about Berlin and 2 tiny bears in a goody
bag marketing mainly products from German sources.
The
rest of the evening was a bit un-German, or so the Germans that have lived
here for a long time think. They expect more Germandom from a German ball.
Yet when in
Berlin
they do not wonder at all that a decidedly international flavour persists
and anything international is as prominent as the typically
German
element. The MC was certainly not German either, but it was the fabulously
dapper Ken Shaw of CTV anchor fame. He did his best to reflect the German
psyche. Perceptions on how well he succeeded vary. There are many different
takes on it.
Anyone
who had expected German cuisine was in for a surprise. The meal started with
a salad based on smoked salmon and it was the great love for this delicate
delicacy that was very German. Among the medley of salad elements we spied
red cabbage, which of course was underlining the German theme.
A soup with a hardy harvest pumpkin taste with added cranberries took care of a cross-cultural experience.
The
pallet cleanser had a distinctly German twist. Instead of just orange
sherbet there were little chunks of "Wackelpudding" mixed in. Too bad it was
not "Waldmeister", that would have been uniquely German.
The
main course was again decidedly German, because it demonstrated the German
preference for many things foreign. An adventure with rice risotto and Bison
tantalized the pallets. The Demi Cream Jus over the meat was stone-ground
and someone joked and said that we could presume that the rocks came from
the crumbled Berliner Wall.
The
dessert sported lots of chocolate. Germans definitely know about chocolate
and when there is a chocolate bear on the plate we of course think
immediately of Berlin, not Belgium. And the Kirsch Cream Anglaise we forgive
our English cousins, because it was so very delicious.
Friends
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There
were many other things of German origin, especially in the silent auction
section and door prize category, where many German products prevailed or
German Canadian companies and corporations had made valuable contributions.
In the gift bags for each individual there were almost only German products
and informative brochures.
Speeches
were held to a minimum and fairly short this year, except, understandably
so, for the Berlin Tourist section.
The
entertainment tried to bring a continental flavour to the evening by having
live operetta music performed, which the very expensive sound system could
not d
eliver
all over the large hall. But the big disco sound of the band permeated into
every corner and filled the dance floor continuously.
Miele donated one of the door prizes and the big one, drawn at the very end of the evening, was of course a Lufthansa flight to Berlin with a stay in a Berlin Hilton Hotel.
On the Dance Floor
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Over 400 people in their best fineries came and had a good time, German-Canadian style. It takes a lot of hard work by a lot of very dedicated volunteers to put together such a big event. Surely they sighed a sigh of relief when it was all over.
We wonder how next year will turn out. SFR.
