Be My HIValen+ine

elevate in partnership with the Gilbert Centre, presenting sponsor ViiV Healthcare, and guest Chef Suzanne Barr, along with 4 local HIV positive individuals-turned-cooks, are excited to present Be My HIValen+ine, a very special pop-up culinary gathering on Valentine’s Day to smash stigma about HIV and to celebrate The Gilbert Centre’s 25 Years of Advocacy.

Be My HIValen+ine : Inspired by Casey House’s, June’s Eatery, the world’s first HIV-positive restaurant, a pop-up eatery where all the chefs were HIV positive and those in attendance helped to smash stigmas just by eating the food prepared and served to them.

Suzanne Barr is one of Canada’s most respected chefs, with a signature flair for fresh comfort food and a passion for local community, food security, and advocacy for people of colour & LGBTQ communities. She was the owner of the popular restaurant Saturday Dinette, and the inaugural chef-in-residence at the Gladstone Hotel. Earlier this year, Suzanne opened True True Diner in Toronto, as an owner and the Head Chef. Suzanne was one of the chefs featured in Maya Gallus’ documentary film The Heat: A Kitchen (R)evolution and launching Feb 3 2020 she will be a chef and judge on Food Network Canada’s new series, Wall Of Chefs.⁠⠀

⁠Despite the fact that HIV cannot be transmitted through food preparation or sharing of food, a recent survey shows that only half of Canadians would knowingly share food with, or eat food prepared by someone who is living with HIV.

Chef Suzanne Barr, along with 4 local HIV positive individuals-turned-cooks for our very special Chefs for the evening. Please join us for delicious, lovingly prepared food, wine pairings and music – it will be a Valen+ine’s Day to remember ♥️ ⁠⠀