Toronto Taste | Toronto’s premier culinary
Ryan is quick to respond and works with you to make your auction a success. Items are high quality and unique as well.
We’ve used AFGI three years in a row and each year they exceed expectations. Our donors now look forward to the auction as the highlight of the night
Thank you so much for your wonderful efforts yesterday. You both did a spectacular job, everyone was very impressed and happy with the funds raised.
Thanks for the great job. You had awesome items.
Their item selection was spot-on for our crowd. We had the perfect mix of price points and unique offerings. You guys were awesome!
Thank you very much for all of your help. Its always a pleasure having you guys come down.
From the first meeting to final reporting, AFGI was professional, responsive, and truly invested in our success.
Thank you for bringing our event up a notch with your team’s professionalism!
I was pleased with your staff; they were very professional. It was good that they ran everything very independently as I was busy dealing with other challenges.
Thanks so much again for participating in our event the way you do. We set a budget of $100k between the live and silent auction and raised over $150k.
Super friendly, organized and prompt response to questions. The bidding sheets were all clear and easy to read – very professional. The person who was there was also very nice and professional.
Thank you for coming out with your team on Saturday and helping to make the event a success!
We used AFGI for both our in-person gala and an online follow-up auction. Their flexibility and guidance were incredible.
Their ability to move the room during the Fund-a-Need was nothing short of inspiring. People were crying and giving generously.
I would highly recommend AFGI to anyone looking to raise funds at their event—regardless of the cause. Thank you again to the entire AFGI team for a seamless and impactful experience!
Thank you very much for your prompt reports and thank you for a job well-done.
Thank you so much for all your work on Sunday! And that of your team. It was wonderful working with you! Our goal was to raise $733,000 and we raised…$850,000! The Live Auction was the most successful ever – it went off so smoothly. Everyone loved it!
Thank you Allen. You and your son were fantastic and made a big difference to our auction. I hope we can work together again soon!
We would love for you to return this year as our auctioneer… you did such a wonderful job last year – so we’d like to keep to a winning formula!
Wow, you guys are amazing to say the least. Thank you very much!
Having you and your team there really elevated the entire evening. We raised $18,500.
AFGI isn’t just an auction service—they’re true fundraising partners. Their expertise took our event to the next level.
Thank you and your team for all of your help!
Their product catalogue was both unique and high-quality that really got our guests excited. The whole process felt smooth and stress-free, and our guests were left with great prizes at the end!
This was our first time using a professional auctioneer, and now we’ll never go without. AFGI made the entire process seamless.
Ryan and his team helped us out tremendously for our Impact Gala. From their expertise and experience they helped us fundraise to continue to support. Excited to work with them in the future!
AFGI Live Auctioneers Help Toronto Taste Raise $850,000 for Second Harvest
TORONTO, ON – The city’s most anticipated culinary fundraising event, Toronto Taste, returned to the stunning lakeside setting at Corus Quay, raising over $850,000 in support of Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue charity. The funds raised will help provide 1.7 million meals to individuals and families facing hunger across the Greater Toronto Area.
Once again, AFGI’s professional charity auctioneers, Allen Fleishman and Ryan Fleishman, delivered an unforgettable live auction experience. This year’s live auction was the most successful in Toronto Taste history, generating six-figure totals on exclusive culinary packages and one-of-a-kind experiences.
AFGI not only led the live auction in the room but also broadcasted the auction live with video and audio on AuctionNetwork.ca, enabling global participation and maximizing bidding potential — a key advantage of working with a professional fundraising auction company like AFGI.
The evening featured over 90 of Toronto’s top restaurants and culinary stars including The McEwan Group, Victoria Gin, Carbon Bar, and Patois. Creative cocktails and tastings from more than 30 beverage purveyors added to the vibrant atmosphere. One of the evening’s biggest highlights was the live auction prize donated by Second Harvest Ambassador and celebrity chef Bob Blumer. His package, “A Surreal Experience,” offered a trip to Los Angeles and an intimate dinner at his home with wines from his private cellar. Due to overwhelming interest, Bob generously offered four versions of the package, raising an impressive $49,000.
Guests were also entertained by the exciting Chef Challenge, where top chefs Kaya Ogruce (Death in Venice Gelato Co.), Darby Piquette (One), and Ivana Raca (Raca Café) competed in a live culinary showdown. After a close contest, Ivana Raca was crowned the winner.
“Toronto Taste is such an incredible event that we at Second Harvest rely on to ensure we can continue providing fresh, healthy food to Torontonians experiencing hunger,” said Debra Lawson, Executive Director of Second Harvest. “We wouldn’t be able to put on such a great event without our sponsors, donors, chefs, our incredible staff and volunteers. This year’s success is thanks to Toronto’s collective passion for helping neighbours in need.”
Presenting sponsor The Daniels Corporation, a dedicated supporter of Second Harvest for over two decades, continues to play a key role in the event’s success.
“The Daniels Corporation was proud to be the presenting sponsor for Toronto Taste once again this year,” said Don Pugh, Vice President of Daniels. “We believe in the work Second Harvest does to ensure access to nutrient-rich food for those in need.”