Throughout the academic year, Melinda Giampietro, Options Founder/President, will share some of her favourite things in her monthly Founder’s Feature. Melinda loves reading, data, research, and following academic and adolescent news around the world.
March Book of the Month
I know I am late to the party on The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans. Written all in letters, the story follows Sybil Van Antwerp in the last decade of her life. The book asks the reader to reflect on how the events in their lives shape them in ways they don’t realize; it almost begs the reader to see these ingrained patterns in themselves and to change them before it is too late. It also highlights the importance of female friendships, as Sybil and her best friend Rosalie have been exchanging letters since 1955. The most fascinating thing about the novel, though, is when Sybil writes to authors whose works have moved her. It made me wonder how Ms. Evans chose these authors and novels and the broader connections to her own life they might hold. It made me want to write to all my favourite authors, too.
March Chef and Cookbooks of the Month
On Wednesday, February 25, I attended Yotam Ottolenghi’s Crowd Pleaser evening at the Chan Centre. It was an excellent night out (thanks for the invite, FC!). Mr. Ottolenghi had a live cooking demonstration and a video meal preparation presentation. He is very, very witty and entertaining. I own many Ottolenghi cookbooks. My favourite is one of his originals from 2002, Ottolenghi: The Cookbook. No one does side dishes better than him. It contains some family favourite recipes, including Marinated Eggplant with Tahini and Oregano, Roast Potatoes and Jerusalem Artichokes with Lemon and Sage, and Couscous with Dried Apricots and Butternut Squash.
A few years ago, a friend gifted me Ottolenghi Comfort. Again, there are some incredible recipes in this one, too; they include Slow-roasted Celery Root with Gorgonzola Cream, White-poached Chicken with Chinese Cabbage and Peanut Rayu, and Chicken Meatballs, Potatoes, and Lemon. I appreciate his ingredient and flavour combinations, which are not instinctual for me and encourage me to use ingredients that expand my repertoire (he really likes pomegranate molasses).
March Events of the Month
I sit on the board of The Forum, a registered charity supporting female entrepreneurs. I really respect and adore my fellow board members. You can read my blog here about why The Forum is so important to me. Our biggest fundraiser of the year is The Pitch on April 24th (it’s already sold out!). Leading up to The Pitch are the semi-finals in both Toronto and Vancouver, where nine women pitched their businesses for three minutes, trying to make it to the finals and the stage in April. I got to attend both semis this year and was honoured to introduce a semi-finalist at each location. Wow, the businesses were varied, and the women were sharp and ready for their moment in the spotlight. Good luck to Yoobin Lee of Quip Medical, Kimberly Hiebert of Door Gurus, and Randa Mudathir of NovaSonix Healthcare. I can’t wait to see our three finalists give it their all on April 24th. Shoot me an email if you would like to learn more about The Forum.
March Concert of the Month
As many of you know, I keep a Notes page on my phone that lists all my favourite country music songs that I would like to see live. Josh Ross’s “Single Again” has been near the top of the list for almost two years. When I was in Toronto for The Forum Semis, Josh Ross was playing at Massey Hall. I extended my stay, worked from the hotel, and took myself on a solo date to the show. It was absolutely worth it. I appreciated the historical venue and the Friday night concert. I am going again this Monday, March 9th, to see him in Vancouver at The Orpheum!
New Favourite Vancouver Coffee Shop
A new coffee shop just opened at 863 Beatty Street, around the corner from my barre studio. For the last few weeks, I have finished my 8 AM cardio class and headed to Rocanini Coffee Roasters. It’s my new Sunday morning work spot. I love a good, deep, balanced cortado and a pastry treat. And the staff is so friendly and accommodating.
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