Windows, 32nd Floor, Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto, Ontario

The view of the city skyline from three directions at Windows was beautiful, and the room rang with the sounds of celebration as the third annual edition of DINE Magazine was launched.

During the evening, the several hundred people listened attentively to what “Sara Says…”

“I was on the west coast recently, and I watched the wild salmon struggling upstream on route to their spawning grounds. One fish caught my attention, and I looked that little salmon in the eye and I said, we in the hospitality industry know how you feel, baby.

Considering the economic business climate, this has been, as Queen Elizabeth once said, an Annus horribilis, a horrible year. I was cautioned that maybe I should not do a magazine this year because of this economic climate. Well, those who know me are aware that I have never allowed climate to curtail my optimism, whether it’s snow, rain, or the economy. In January, I set out to make this issue the most beautiful yet. I traveled to many cities, ate hundreds, perhaps thousands of meals and took photographs, which you will see in the magazine. I came home and wrote the stories to share my dining experiences with you. I asked our advertisers to participate in the magazine and you did. We had a great team. My son Adam Waxman stepped in with his boundless energy, his enthusiasm and charm, and some sparks of his father’s personality. Besides being a working actor, he planned a marketing strategy and followed it through with sales. And he surprised me with his writing talent – which you will read in the magazine. I was fortunate to have my friend and brilliant Managing Editor Vivian Vassos work with me again this year. And we all worked so well with our tireless production designer Lorraine Bates. And a great big thank you to my good natured and smart assistant, Natasha Gleiser.

And Peter: Peter Roston, our CEO and partner whom you have all met over the years, always took my phone calls, no matter how many times a day. He was the calm voice of reason, tolerance, cautious optimism and encouragement. As a chartered accountant he looked after the business end of things and left me to happily look after the creative. The perfect partnership. And when there were a few problems, he said, “You don’t have to deal with that, I’ll look after it.” All this when he was running his own new business, out of town. While patience is not one of my strong points, fortunately, it is one of his. Thank you, Peter.

I am very proud to say that DINE Magazine is 104 beautiful pages again this year, printed by our other partner Jay Mandarino at CJ Graphics.

I want to drink a toast to our advertisers, old and new, who have entrusted me to showcase them, and personally endorse them, and I am proud to do so.

In last year’s issue, we had a contest: Romance Me Maui, where simply by registering every month, one lucky couple would win an all expense paid vacation in Maui. They will fly to Maui on Air Canada, stay for a week at the gorgeous Westin Resort and Spa, dine at some fabulous restaurants and enjoy the attractions. The winner has been chosen electronically and is here tonight to accept this incredible prize.

And the winner is:
Candice Youngdale of Haliburton, Ontario.

I hope all of you have left your business card in the silver bowl at the entrance. We’re going to choose one to receive a generous gift certificate from one of our advertising restaurants.

The Four Seasons Hotel has hosted us royally, and Jackson Triggs has generously supplied us with lovely wines. Thank you all for being here, and joining us in this celebration.”