Grill Master 2025: $128,400 raised for Fondation Papillon

On Saturday, August 16, 2025, one of our founders hosted an unforgettable evening. What started many years ago as a heartfelt gathering of family and friends quickly turned into a powerful testament to community, competition, and compassion.

Fires Lit for a Cause

The highlight of the evening was the much-anticipated Grill Master Competition, featuring three talented teams from the Valsef community. Each team showcased mastery across five courses—while guests not only enjoyed great food but also judged the dishes based on taste and presentation.

• Hassan Youssef (Valnet), Salam Said, Hicham Alame, Sam Hourani and Hagop Bayramian *winners

• Steph Manos (Valstone), Dan Malouf, Antonio Amormino, Gilbert Rahme and chef Ron.

• Joseph Khoubbieh (Valsoft), Bechara Haddad, Serge Krikorian, Fouad Rahme and Marco Ottoni

While the competition added excitement, what truly stood out was the generous spirit of everyone involved—turning friendly rivalry into real-life impact. All proceeds from the evening were directed toward Fondation Papillon, in support of their project to build a new playground in downtown Montreal that is accessible to both adults and children with disabilities. This inclusive space will embody joy, connection, and community for all.

A Culinary Crown and Collective Efforts

🥇 Congratulations to Hassan & Salam and the Valnet team for winning the 2025 Grill Master Trophy —your flavors, finesse, and teamwork were unmatched!

👏 A round of applause for our other talented finalists—led by Steph Manos (Valstone) and Joseph Khoubbieh (Valsoft)—who brought passion and play to every plate.

We also owe a huge thank you to our dedicated organizing team—Erika, Jbid, Veronnik, Jacynthe, and Sarah—whose behind-the-scenes efforts ensured the evening ran seamlessly.

Building Towards Tomorrow

With $128,400 raised for Fondation Papillon, we’ve taken a significant step toward bringing a new inclusive playground to life in downtown Montreal. This space will be more than swings and slides—it will be a gathering ground where everyone belongs. If you want to contribute, please donate here.

Updates about the project will be shared until final reveal. Stay tuned!