Chefs'
Circle
Curated by William Cheng and hosted by prominent leaders of the Toronto community, Chefs' Circle supports innovative and life-saving heart research at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Chefs’ Circle welcomes members of Toronto’s vibrant philanthropic community to a series of private, one-of-a-kind evenings, featuring exquisite menus presented by award-winning Michelin star chefs from around the world.
Chefs’ Circle is hosted in support of Sunnybrook’s world-renowned researchers and clinical teams in discovering game-changing new treatments and providing patients with world-class care when it matters most.
William Cheng is an entrepreneur with businesses in multiple industries including consumer products, manufacturing, entertainment, advertising, restaurant development and real estate. He is an avid philanthropist who continues to make innovative contributions to advance the future of healthcare and culture in Toronto. In early 2019, William launched Chefs’ Circle, an exclusive dinner series hosted by prominent leaders of the Toronto community. This innovative event supports life-saving work at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
Through his immense passion for culinary arts, William is instilling this city with world-class dining through each of his authentic and exquisite Japanese restaurants – Sushi Masaki Saito, Shoushin and Tachi.
Chef Masaki Saito joined the Canadian culinary scene as a two star Michelin chef, having earned this prestigious recognition in 2017 and 2018 in New York. He brings with him a new edomae-style sushi that earned him recognition and praise. His passion for fish developed early with an educational background in marine biology at the age of 15. This grassroots approach allowed him to develop a true understanding and expertise for his sushi.
Chef Masaki Saito is the executive chef at the eponymous, Sushi Masaki Saito in Yorkville, owned by William Cheng. It its first year, the restaurant was awarded the best new restaurant by Canada 100 and ranked number one Japanese restaurant in Canada.
Stephen Arbib is a Canadian entrepreneur who believes in the power of philanthropy. Throughout his career, he has not only started companies that are successful but benefit society and help those in need. Stephen was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, and moved to Toronto at the age of ten. He attended Ryerson University for business and in his second year, enrolled in a joint entrepreneurship program in Vancouver, with Harvard University, where he founded his first company, Simso Online Inc.
In 2013, Mr. Arbib founded Momentum Solutions, one of the world’s leading logistics and life support service providers, specializing in humanitarian and emergency operations for governments, militaries and NGOs, and currently serves as CEO.
Mr. Arbib is also the founder of MedReleaf - the first and only ISO 9001 certified cannabis producer in North America, which in 2018 was sold to Aurora for $3.2 billion. Mr. Arbib also co-founder of Cycura Inc., an offensive cyber security firm which provides advanced, customized, and confidential cyber security services to governments, companies, and organizations.
Most importantly, Mr. Arbib is a father to three children, Adrian, Audrey and Julian. His passion for business, supporting the community, and food is the driving force behind this evenings Chefs’ dinner.
Chef Masaki Saito joined the Canadian culinary scene as a two star Michelin chef, having earned this prestigious recognition in 2017 and 2018 in New York. He brings with him a new edomae-style sushi that earned him recognition and praise. His passion for fish developed early with an educational background in marine biology at the age of 15. This grassroots approach allowed him to develop a true understanding and expertise for his sushi.
Chef Masaki Saito is the executive chef at the eponymous, Sushi Masaki Saito in Yorkville, owned by William Cheng. It its first year, the restaurant was awarded the best new restaurant by Canada 100 and ranked number one Japanese restaurant in Canada.
Chef Stephen Tong is lauded for his mastery of Hong Kong style Cantonese cuisine. Under his leadership, Judy Cuisine was the most authentic example of this culinary tradition in Toronto. Chef Tong is renowned for his distinct and delicate care of ingredients and technique.
Though retired from the restaurant industry, Chef Tong is still actively engaged in promoting Hong Kong style cuisine through philanthropic events.
Dr. Shawn Seit grew up in Toronto’s Kensington Market. He and his mom would shop for fresh groceries together daily, walking through the market filled with fresh vegetables, fish and meat. The distinct smells and hustle and bustle of the market have continued to have an impact on Dr. Seit to this day, highlighting the importance of food and culture in his everyday life.
Dr. Seit attended the University of Toronto where he earned his degree in medicine. After five years working with his mentor, the renowned Canadian cosmetic plastic surgeon and scholar Dr. Stephen Mulholland, Dr. Seit founded Rejuuv Medispa. As of 2020, Rejuuv Medispa now has three locations across Toronto. Dr. Seit’s ongoing passion for aesthetic medicine continues to provide the utmost level of beauty and care for his patients. His knowledge of medicine and artistic nature provides amazing results to each and every one of his patients.
Chef Masaki Saito joined the Canadian culinary scene as a two star Michelin chef, having earned this prestigious recognition in 2017 and 2018 in New York. He brings with him a new edomae-style sushi that earned him recognition and praise. His passion for fish developed early with an educational background in marine biology at the age of 15. This grassroots approach allowed him to develop a true understanding and expertise for his sushi.
Chef Masaki Saito is the executive chef at the eponymous, Sushi Masaki Saito in Yorkville, owned by William Cheng. It its first year, the restaurant was awarded the best new restaurant by Canada 100 and ranked number one Japanese restaurant in Canada.
Jonathan S. Goldman is an accomplished real estate, infrastructure and energy developer with over 20 years of experience. Jonathan started his career in commercial real estate and subsequently founded, built, and sold one of the country’s largest renewable energy development firms. Jonathan joined Stafford Developments in 1995 and became the president of Stafford Developments and the Goldman Group in 2015.
Jonathan brings a wealth of experience funding and executing the physical build out of many technically advanced facilities as well as mixed use communities and commercial projects. Jonathan has been involved in launching multiple other recent businesses including a venture fund, a Canadian retail platform, a digital currency infrastructure business, an international manufacturing business and an entertainment company. Jonathan is an avid supporter of various charities throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including Sunnybrook, Mount Sinai Hospital, Baycrest Health Sciences and The Hospital for Sick Children, to name a few.
Chef Oliver Glowig was born in Germany, but his heart is deeply tied to Italy, a country that continues to influence and inspire his palate. He first trained at the Quisisana Grand Hotel in Capri, under the guidance of Gualtiero Marchesi, considered widely to be the founder of modern Italian cuisine.
Chef Oliver earned his first Michelin star at the Acquarello Restaurant in Munich, before returning to Capri to earn two Michelin stars at the Capri Palace Hotel & Spa. In 2011, Chef Oliver moved to Rome to lead his eponymous restaurant at the Aldrovandi Hotel Villa Borghese, with resounding success having achieved two Michelin stars in Rome. Today, Chef Oliver lends his expertise as a consulting chef at TOCA Ritz Carlton Toronto.
For more information,
please contact Sunnybrook Foundation at events@sunnybrook.ca