Valentines Day Veterans Dinner

Valentines Day Veterans Dinner, this year I went to a Veteran couples home, cooked them a 5 star meal, and treated them to a Valentines Day they would never forget. The lovely couple for our Valentines Day Veterans Dinner was Eric and Linda Magill.

I wanted to do this as a way to bring them closer together even during the hard times of injuries, dealing with their struggles with Veterans Affairs Canada, and for when hard times can work against a couple. A chef cooked meal where all they had to do was sit back and enjoy the evening of candle light, wine, and creme brulee 🙂

For the Valentines Day Veterans Dinner I was introduced to Eric and Linda through Clayton G from Banished Veterans. I know that Veterans with mobility issues and/or stress injuries find it very difficult to leave the home for extended periods, and this can take a toll on any relationship. I wanted to create a lasting Valentine’s Day memory as a way to increase quality of life.

We had some amazing sponsors for the event, the AAA Certified Angus Beef Striploin was donated by Slipacoff Premium Meats and I cut the loin into amazing 10-12oz steaks. The marbling throughout the meat was incredible and made it so delicious and tender!!

Jamie over at Serious Cheese donated ALL the cheese. I went in to ask him to help me choose a nice Asiago for the potatoes and Parmigiana for the risotto. Then he asks me if I’m putting out a cheese tray, I said “Not this time” then he says “What if I donate it?” Well then….YEAH!! lol Once we had all of this amazing cheese, I needed some beautiful smoked meats to go with it…

So, I called Michael over at Seed to Sausage (Michael is a Veteran as well, and we served on the West-coast at the same time) he was gracious enough to donate the smoked meat for the tray, as well as the pancetta for the risotto. I went down to the S2S General Store here in Ottawa to pick up the meats and WOW, that store is a chefs paradise!! They had this 60 day dry aged rib eye’s that were, well, out of this world!! I will get one of those…that’s for sure lol.

A thank you goes out to Smokie Ridge Vineyards too, as they supplied the wine for the night. They have a wine called Soldier’s Pride “With more than 75 years of service to their country, three generations of LeBlancs are now bringing you the best that cold world grapes have to offer.” Such a cool vineyard, and their wine selection looks amazing!!

As well thank you to The Peace Naturals Project for donating a basket of their entire Whole Foods line of Heirloom Quinoa, Coconut Sugar, Hemp Hearts, and Chis Seeds to Eric and Linda. As well thank you to the Canadian Military Family Magazine for donating a few magazines, where The Wellness Soldier heads the “Galley” section.