LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2023

Raising Spirits, Raising Funds

Even in the chill of February, Wolfhead Distillery & Restaurant warmed more than 1,000 palates and hearts at its inaugural Charcoal Chili Challenge this year, partnering with Border City BBQ. Almost 600 kilograms of canned goods and $3,500 went to Feed the Need, a Windsor-Essex community food resource. Support those good works and try Wolfhead’s Coffee Whisky Liqueur ( LCBO 669408, $36.95 ). Rum has maritime connections, and North of 7 Distillery in Ottawa named its bottlings for a seaworthy cause. Part of the proceeds from each bottle of No 7 Leatherback Rum ( LCBO 413567, $45 ) sold go to the Halifax-based Canadian Sea Turtle Network, to support saving endangered sea turtles in Canadian waters and beyond.

TO YOUR HEALTH Toronto hospitality veteran Hassel Aviles recognized the need for mental health support in today’s high-stress restaurant industry. Today, she’s the executive director of global non-profit Not 9 to 5 (not9to5.org), which has pioneered the world’s first mental health educational platform for hospitality. Change Needs Everyone Coming Together (CNECTing) offers industry training and certification on mental health and substance use support skills for employers, employees, students, and hospitality and food service corporations. The Art of the Bottle Known for supporting artists by commission ing craft beer labels, Collective Arts brings the same spirit to its gin and rum bottles. Labels peel away to reveal original artwork (including past editions by Ontario artists like Burlington’s Cecil Warner), making the bottles beautifully collectible and reusable. Collective Arts Rhubarb & Hibiscus Gin ( LCBO 113456, $46.95 ), bottle by artist Mario Carpe Collective Arts Artisanal Dry Gin ( LCBO 128090, $44.95 ), bottle by artist Morgan Sorensen Collective Arts Lavender & Juniper Gin ( LCBO 30711, $46.95 ), bottle by artist Lucas Beaufort

COLLECTIVE ARTS PRODUCTS: MAYA VISNYEI

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