SAVOURING ALL THAT MUSKOKA LAKES HAS TO OFFER

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BALA — Summer is here and the “Spotlight” was sumptuously on Muskoka Lakes last night at a gala to kick off the greatest season of the year.

And if summer’s eve is any indication of what’s ahead, west Muskoka is a great place to wine and dine yourself and your company.

The Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce set the table here for July and August and beyond — heck year-round.

The enthusiasm was boiling over as a couple hundred business operators, their guests, their friends and their flavour savours filled the Kee’s dance floor with great food, rousing music and a fun sense of things to come.

From the get-go, the lineup got a taste of what to expect as they ran the gourmet gauntlet.

On one side you couldn’t miss the lobster-coloured Field of Dreams’ new Muskoka Boil — “The Best Pot on the Lake” — pop-up tent, with owner Dave Kitchen, chef Mariana and their crazy Port Carling posse boiling up enough gumbo seafood for a hundred.

Mariana and her posse from Field of Greens in Port Carling welomced everyone with their new Muskoka Boil gourmet seafood.

On the other side of the walkway, where big bands and rock bands normally load in, was a wood-fired pizza oven, where We The North pie-maker Pete Brese was firing up (“750-degrees”) pies as fast as Kahwi Leonard could sink a game-winning, three-point buzzer beating four-bounce rim shot.

Inside it was like prom night: stop, pose, click, flash, enter.

Voila! Dining and dancing without the dishes.

On the left, the bar. In front, the stage.

On the right a murderers’ row to rival millionaire’s row.

A summer smorgasbord that wouldn’t look out of place on Lake Joe cottage, Lake Rosseau dock or even a Lake Muskoka bunkie.

This was a helluva spread made in heaven.

To heck with Oprah and Weight Watchers tonight — it’s Muskoka and it’s summer.

Besides it’s the second- longest day of the year.

A couple hundred people celebrated the summer solstace at the chamber’s ‘Spolight on Muskoka Lakes’ tonight in Bala.

There was food from Taco Kar, Lakeside Bala, Crossroads, Castle Blue, Bala Falls Pub, Milford Bay Trout Farm, Stephen’s Butcher Shop, Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery, Knead Pizza and Field of Dreams.

If anyone went home hungry, it was their own fault.

The truffles from Crosswinds (Rosseau) were to die for.

And that was just the first food station. (“Life if short, start with dessert.”)

Every step you took you could calorie count on gaining a pound.

Knead pizza. Who doesn’t.

Port Carling’s newest pie place was samply delicious. Olivia Wallman was dishing up slices of heaven.

Taco Kar was as tempting with three different wraps with your choice of meat, veggie or slightly spicy chicken.

That’s as far as we got — though the rest all looked and smelled as fine as a pig a blanket.

We did allow ourself one last veggie slider from Lakeside Bala, smothered in guacamole.

Wash all that down with a craft bear from Torrance’s new Clear Lake Brewery and … you know what being satiated is all about.

On stage, country music star and host Beverley Mahood introduced a stellar lineup of musicians, including Leah Daniels, Al Rowe, John Anderson, Mac Shepherd and Mike Mckenna.

And — “Is there a Dr. in the house?”

Why, yes, Dr. Faizal Bawa, of Bracebridge, who it turns out is a rockin’ country singer.

Mahood also performed encore.

And it was time for one more truffle and back to the office and the keyboard, full of food and admiration for what’s happening in Muskoka Lakes.

You’re welcome to it. We recommend it.

The Spotlight was definitely on Muskoka Lakes tonight, as the best in food and fun was on offer all for only $25 a ticket.
Host and singer Beverly Mahood was her ususal entertaining self encouraging the audience to eat, drink and be merry.
What’s in ‘The Best Pot On The Lake …?’
… lots of corn, potatoes, clams and whatever you want. Check it out at Field of Greens in Port Carling where you can rent a pot.
Who can resist these kids who were ladling out Muskoka Boil corn and clams.
Sandy McIntyre, left, listens to her friend Shari Lundy sererenade the lineup on violin before the supper show.
Bala resdient Sheila Overbeek works her way though the crowd on the dance floor she’s no stranger to.
Is there a doctor in the house? You bet, Dr. Faizal Bawa of Bracebridge rocked the crowd of about 200 with some great country.
Chamber of commerce executive director Norah Fountain joins the paparazzi as she photographs her doctor on stage.
Stage right could see everyone enjoying themselves at the annual gala that has become a highlight of the west Muskoka scene.
From all angles, front to back, the music and food were a fun and fantastic way to kick off summer.
MuskokaTODAY.com’s Lois Cooper, left, and Gauthier Group’s Mary Gauthier can’t wait to get in and savour the flavours.
There was something for every tastebud, and enough to feed an army of sandbaggers.
Lakeside Bala was busy serving up veggie and beef sliders with all the fixings – including great guacamole.
Diane Davidson can never resist the fare from the popular Bala Falls Pub, next to the Kee, and under new ownership.
Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce manager Sandy Lockhart check out more than 75 items great items in the silent auction.
Table for 12? And near the bar, too. That’s how to enjoy a night on the town in Bala.
From stage left, everthing looks great, from the food to food lovers and their friendly-waving servers.
It’s a wrap for these two taco belles from Taco Kar, who look sweet and spicy.
Cooking pizza is a breeze if you’re chef Pete Brese of Knead Pizza in Port Carling, who makes the best pizza in We The North.
Host Beverly Mahood welcomes Bala’s own Steve Davidson, who’s been here before and still enjoys the glory days of the Kee.
Former MP Dennis Mills, centre, hosted a full table in the middle of the dance floor. Behind was the big silent auction display.
Friends and foodies from around the lakes enjoyed a night out at the hallowed old dance hall in Bala.
The deck was a great place to enjoy the second longest day of the year and to get some sun and an audio break.