Event Co-Chair Susan Margles (Ottawa International Airport Authority), Stephen Bartolo (Shepherds of Good Hope), Meighan Hartley (SOGH) and event Co-Chair Shawn Hamilton (Proveras Commercial Realty) at Taste for Hope 2026 in support of Shepherds of Good Hope, at the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla for OBJ.
Shepherds of Good Hope’s sold-out Taste for Hope returned to the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, bringing together supporters for an evening of food, fundraising and friendly competition.
Co-chaired by Shawn Hamilton of Proveras Commercial Realty and Susan Margles of the Ottawa International Airport Authority, the event featured dishes from some of Ottawa’s top chefs, alongside a live auction in support of Shepherds of Good Hope’s programs and services.
A highlight of the evening was the return of the Culinary Clash. Chef Joe Thottungal of Coconut Lagoon and Thali joined judges Soula Burrell, Jenny Chen and Philippe Laplante in evaluating dishes created by local business leaders Julie Findlay, Louis Lacombe-Denis, Michel Nungisa and Kathryn Tremblay. Guided by mentor chefs and working within a limited budget, competitors transformed simple ingredients into dishes worthy of the judges’ table.
The evening raised more than $437,000 to support Shepherds of Good Hope.
Melissa Hatchard (RBC), Katie Faloon-Drew (Healthy Confident You), Ashley Greco (Pure Country) and Avery Laprade (Volunteer Ottawa) at Taste for Hope 2026 in support of Shepherds of Good Hope, at the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla for OBJ.Erin Doak (Ottawa Catholic School Board), event co-chair Shawn Hamilton (Proveras Commercial Realty), and Catherine Yuke at Taste for Hope 2026 in support of Shepherds of Good Hope, at the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla for OBJ.Sandra Obaji (Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation) and Karin Finlay (SOGH Foundation) at Taste for Hope 2026 in support of Shepherds of Good Hope, at the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla for OBJ.Chef Raghav Chaudhary (Aiāna) was one of more than 20 restaurants in this year’s Taste for Hope 2026 in support of Shepherds of Good Hope, at the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla for OBJ.Culinary clash competitor Kathryn Tremblay teaches emcee Stefan Keyes (CTV News) how to get the crowd rocking at Taste for Hope 2026 in support of Shepherds of Good Hope, at the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla for OBJ.Culinary clash competitor Louis Lacombe-Denis and mentor Duane Francis at Taste for Hope 2026 in support of Shepherds of Good Hope, at the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla for OBJ.Mentor Joanne Kudakiewicz and culinary clash competitor Julie Findlay (Mom in the Know) at Taste for Hope 2026 in support of Shepherds of Good Hope, at the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla for OBJ.Michelle Weger (Venture Creative Collective), husband Nabil Ould-Brahim and Quin posed for a photo at Taste for Hope 2026 in support of Shepherds of Good Hope, at the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla for OBJ.Shirley Westeinde (Westeinde Properties Ltd.), Soula Burrell (GOHBA) and Jenniffer Alvarenga (REMAX Hallmark Realty Group) at Taste for Hope 2026 in support of Shepherds of Good Hope, at the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla for OBJ.Chef Joe Thottungal and emcee Stefan Keyes during the judging portion of the evening at Taste for Hope 2026 in support of Shepherds of Good Hope, at the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla for OBJ.Stefan Keyes awards The Golden Apron to Michel Nungisa at Taste for Hope 2026 in support of Shepherds of Good Hope, at the Brookstreet Hotel on June 3, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla for OBJ.
