Shelly: I started working at Balmoral, I was about 16 years old as a busser. I was working with Linda Maione as my Manager, she did end up firing me (she doesn't remember this). I didn't mind though as I never wanted to join the workforce to begin with at that time, but my parents thought it would build character, so I was delighted to be "let go. I made my way back in 2009 when Patti was looking for an assistant, I came in, Larry took my information and I started working that same day. It’s now been 20 or so years - waiting on my Rolex!
Lisa: I have been working with Gruppo Terroni since June 2019. I worked for a short time in a different restaurant but it was great to join Terroni and work with my culture as I am fully Italian, born and raised. I am from Milan and I am always excited to speak in Italian with clients. Don’t be shy folks!
Vladi: I've been with Gruppo Terroni for over 2.5 years now.
Bianca: I started booking events at Terroni Price St. back in 2011. Now I work at Terroni Adelaide, booking for 5 Gruppo Terroni locations. This will be my 13th year working alongside the Queen of Events, Patti, and the incredible Terroni family!
Matt: I’ve been working at Terroni in various roles for about 2.5 years
Shelly: My first Christmas party here at the Adelaide location, it was so much fun and wild!
Lisa: I remember when we hosted the Stanley Cup on our beautiful rooftop patio for over 100 guests. This was a stand-up and many of our staff members were able to meet the players and drink from the cup itself. That was very funny!
Vladi: All my favourite memories are from our Events office, I couldn't have asked for better colleagues! :)
Bianca: There have been a number of core memories over the years, including all the epic Terroni staff holiday parties, however, one of my favourites would have to be a TIFF afterparty we hosted at Terroni Adelaide. What happens at Terroni says at Terroni. It was a star-filled night, to say the least! ;)
Matt: When we hosted the Stanley Cup celebration party for the NHL team Colorado Avalanche on the Terroni Price rooftop patio
Shelly: My teammates and the flexibility. We also have an amazing boss, Patti, who is honestly the main reason I have lasted this long.
Lisa: Gruppo Terroni Events team is a big family working together and supporting each other. That is the best you could ask for. Thank you Mama P and team!
Vladi: Our dream team! I also enjoy the diversity - one day we coordinate a small birthday party for a group of 10 guests and the next day we have a corporate holiday party for 250 guests.
Bianca: I enjoy working with an incredibly talented and passionate team, who I couldn't do any of this without. Everyone from the Chefs, management and front of house team are like family, that are always there to assist each other with creative ideas.
Matt: Interacting with guests on a personalized level and providing them with the guidance and expertise surrounding the successful coordination of their events. Representing such an amazing company/brand that strives towards creating memorable experiences for our guests!
Do you have a favourite type of event to work on?
Shelly: I personally like birthdays, as they are fun, we get to suggest things they were not thinking of, getting a cake for them. It is laid back and fun
Lisa: My favourite type of events are bridal and baby showers. Most of the time, these types of events include many cute and eccentric decorations and it’s nice to see our spaces set up with them to highlight their beauty.
Vladi: Stand-up corporate events are usually the most exciting.
Bianca: I love planning all types of events, however weddings and large corporate events tend to be my expertise. There is nothing quite like seeing all the hard work come together and receiving heartfelt thanks from the couples, noting that we went above and well beyond. I even had a wedding couple ask if they could do it again for their 1 year wedding anniversary. When the corporate clients are happy and continue to rebook year after year, it makes me very proud.
Matt: I really enjoy working on Weddings and Anniversary Celebrations! I always enjoy whenever we can bring loved ones together to celebrate at Terroni.
Do you have a specific event that you have worked on at Gruppo Terroni that stands out to you (for good reasons)?
Shelly: It was a couple of moms that were celebrating their kids' engagement, they wanted it to be perfect. The look on their face when they saw the space and everything unfolded was priceless.
Lisa: The one event that I was really excited about was a company holiday party and they brought magician, tarot and poker tables. That was the first time for Terroni Price to accommodate something like this and it was a great success.
Vladi: There's not just one event that would stand out to me. The best events are the ones when the organizer is helpful and organized which makes it amazing to work with them. I have had a lot of these which I'm grateful for and I love when they return.
Bianca: I planned a wedding for a wonderful couple from out of the country and it was an absolute pleasure working with them. I must say I was a bit nervous at first (with them not being in Toronto until the wedding date), however with great communication, and them trusting the Terroni process we exceeded their expectations!
Matt: BOOKINGS FOR FAMOUS ACTORS DURING TIFF!!
Shelly: I love the Ufficio Private Room, it is such a cozy space and a no-brainer on the universal satisfaction rate.
Lisa: Rifugio is my favourite space. It works well for stand ups and sit downs and the space itself is so stunning that even with minimal decorations the space stands out.
It’s nice to see how versatile this space can be according the type of event.
This space is magical.
Vladi: Our 3rd-floor lounge bar Il Covo located at Terroni Adelaide.
Binaca: Sala da Pranzo at Terroni Adelaide. There is so much history at this location and the space is perfect for hosting all occasions- from Weddings to corporate functions. There truly isn't another space quite like this anywhere in Toronto!
Matt: My favourite event space would be the Chef's Table on our beautiful rooftop patio at our Terroni Price St location.
Shelly: Sud Forno Queen second level, it is amazing for a sit down and cocktail event for 20-25 guests in the main space and up to 36 for the whole 2nd floor. It's just beautiful and you would have the whole upstairs to yourselves.
Lisa: I feel the most underrated space is Bar Centrale located on the ground floor.
This space can accommodate only stand-ups, but the ambience is great, from the music to each tiny detail that reminds a typical train station in Italy.
Guests can enjoy bite size and glass of wines standing around the bar while socializing.
Vladi: Our private room Osteria at La Bettola deserves to be discovered by more people!
Bianca: Il Covo degli Artisti, Terroni Adelaide's third-floor space is a cozy lounge, once home to The Arts and Letters Club, where Canadian landscape painters “The Group of Seven” ate and drank in 1909. This space is a hidden gem for cocktail events of up to x70 guests. I love its speak-easy vibe and the balconies which overlook the beautiful grand dining room below.
Matt: I would say the 2nd floor communal table at our Sud Forno Queen location. This space serves as a grab-and-go bakery during the day but can accommodate seated events during the evenings.
Is there a type of event you’d like to see more of at Gruppo Terroni?
Shelly: More birthday celebrations, I love birthdays!
Lisa: I would like to see more work social event. It’s great to see co-workers merging and get to know each better
Vladi: Corporate events are my favourite so I would never say no to coordinating one.
Bianca: It would be great to see more Jazz and Aperitivo nights at every Gruppo Terroni location. Especially in Il Covo, at Terroni Adelaide! I feel like this space is the perfect spot to host such evenings.
Matt: I would love to see more anniversaries, baptisms, bar-mitzvahs or just any get togethers with friends!
