Rockcliffe Park in Ottawa is one of Canada’s most affluent and beautiful heritage neighbourhoods and home to the official residences of diplomats from around the world.  With the goal of preserving the area’s unique character, The Friends of the Village of Rockcliffe Park Foundation recently held a benefit.  Ten ambassadors and high commissioners opened their residences for the sold-out gala evening, Dining with the Ambassadors.  Alana Abraham, co-owner of Sutton Group – Premier Realty helped to organize the event and sponsored the cocktail portion of the evening. 

“I was asked to be on the committee this year as I live in Rockcliffe and very much support the efforts of the foundation,” says Abraham.  “With the encouragement of the committee, Sutton Group – Premier Realty became the presenting sponsor of the cocktail reception.  The company supplied canapés and sparkling wine for 150 people at a cost of approximately $2,500.  The guests mingled in the community hall during the reception as they anxiously waited to find out which embassy they would attend for dinner.  Then they were escorted in groups to their respective embassy where they enjoyed an authentic dinner hosted by the ambassador of that country.”

The ambassadors and High Commissioners from Egypt, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, The Netherlands, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago and Uganda served favourite dishes of their homelands.  Albraham enjoyed dinner at the Embassy of Ireland, which recently underwent a major, year long renovation.  “The finished product was breathtaking,” she says.  “The new ambassador and his wife were charming and welcomed their neighbours wholeheartedly to their lovely home.  The feedback from all of the participants in the Dining with the Ambassadors event was very positive.”