At the last OSCA Winter Carnival, when chilli reserves were running low, Old Ottawa South resident and well-known chef John Taylor offered to run up to his new restaurant, Taylor's Genuine Food and Wine Bar, and pull some soup together for us. Luckily more chilli did arrive...but Anne Marie Corbett and I looked at each other and at this man who has been so unbelievably giving over the past years...and we knew that we had to nominate him for an OSCA Lifetime Volunteer Award.
John has brought huge pots of both soup and chilli to the Winter Carnivals and Fall Fests over the years. The first few years when reserves were low he also brought all the stoves, serving ware, etc., donated extremely generous prizes from his restaurants for countless events, judged every single food contest we have ever had, cooked and cleaned, and one year bought, served and cooked all the food for a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, has offered up biodegradable cups and spoons for all of our outdoor events...and all he asks in return is that we tell him what time to be there.
A true volunteer indeed and a true asset to our community. It is with genuine pleasure that we announce that John Taylor ...IS...Osca's Lifetime Volunteer for 2010-2011.
A million Thank Yous, John, and all of our love, respect and admiration!
Brenda Lee and Anne Marie Corbett (for OSCA)
John Taylor is the chef/owner of Domus Café, a highly regarded restaurant in the Market, and Taylor's Genuine Food and Wine Bar, a recent and welcome addition to the Old Ottawa South foodscape at the corner of Bank Street and Sunnyside Avenue.