Emmanuelle Chriqui at the 2009 IT Lounge

Every September, Toronto’s film festival manages to lure a flock of celebrities to the Great White North with a host of world premieres, industry panels, and, of course, parties.

This year we thought we’d give our Canadian readers a taste of the celeb experience at this world-renowned festival by awarding one (1) lucky winner of our Favorite Movie Line Contest a genuine celebrity swag bag from the IT Lounge at the festival (worth $575 CDN) and two tickets to an exclusive after-party. All you need to play is a a little movie knowledge and a lot of imagination.

The Movie Line Contest 2010

Here’s how it works: Think of a movie quote. It could be from a Hollywood blockbuster or a French New Wave art film, anything from Bambi to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Then take one word in that quote and replace it with the word “FIJI.” A few examples:

• “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a FIJI.”
• “Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but FIJI, and for the rest of your life.”
• “Dude, where’s my FIJI?”
• “I see FIJI people.”

Anything goes — just no profanity or dirty language. This is a family-friendly blog.

Once you have your quote, enter it in the comments section of this blog post (not on Facebook). The most creative/funny/bizarre submission, as selected by FIJI Water, wins the swag bag stuffed with everything a celebrity visitor to the IT Lounge would receive and two tickets to the Artists for Peace and Justice after-party and fundraiser. (You don’t need tickets to the festival to attend the after-party or receive the bag.)

Details

• You must be a legal resident of Canada outside of Quebec province.
• Be sure to include a valid email address when leaving a movie quote on our blog so we can contact you. All entries must be submitted in the comments section of our blog below. No Facebook posts, please!
• You must be 19 years or older.
• Entry is subject to availability.
• Only entries submitted between September 2, 2010 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (“PST”) and September 8, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PST will be considered.
• You do not have to attend the film festival to win. Tickets to the after-party are not tickets to the festival.
• For Official Rules, click here.

The IT Lounge Swag Bag

Officially called the “IT Lounge Beauty Prize Package,” the swag bag contains products from FIJI Water, Stila Cosmetic, Ardell Lashes, Goody, and Andrea Professionals worth a total of $575 CD.

About the IT Lounge

Visited in previous years by the likes of Edward Norton, Queen Latifah, Tim Robbins, Jason Bateman, Olivia Wilde, Ryan Gosling, Sissy Spacek, Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, and more, for five years the IT Lounge has invited entertainment industry VIPs to personally experience and discover the latest from established and emerging brands.

Ryan Delamater (right) and co-conspirator Davin Anderson

Last summer Ryan Delamater biked across Canada.

This fall, he’s taking on the world.

Early this morning, Delamater, 36, and good friend Davin Anderson, 29, cycled away from their homes in Hudson, Ohio, on what they hope will be an 18-month pedal-powered odyssey across six continents.

Delamater and Anderson are embarking on this ambitious undertaking in support of a good cause: clean water. Their trip is sponsored by Give Clean Water and the FIJI Water Foundation, two nonprofits that work to bring clean drinking water to under-served communities around the world.

“I wanted to marry two passions in my life, cycling and serving other people,” Delamater told FIJI Water when we caught up with him before his departure. Last year, on his 6,000-mile trip across Canada, Delamater and another cyclist raised money for Ugandan children to keep them from being drafted.

By the beginning of this year, he was already brainstorming his next adventure. When he came up with the round-the-world idea, “I was frankly embarrassed to talk about it,” Delamater said. “It’s a really big project — there was a lot of work to put together a project of this scale.”

The plan, as it stands now, is to cycle south through Mexico and Central America, then down South America to Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost tip of the continent. From there they plan to fly to Cape Town, South Africa, and bike up the west African coast to Morocco and then Europe. From Europe it gets a little hairy, as the two will have to decide how to traverse the Middle East, including countries generally unfriendly to Americans, such as Iran and Afghanistan. Ryan has created a Google map of their around-the-world odyssey.

Davin and Ryan pose by their bikes.

If all goes according to plan, the duo will continue across the south coast of Asia to Australia, then invite everyone who helped them along the way to Fiji for a closing celebration.

In order to cover this extraordinary distance, Delamater and Anderson plan to bike 65 miles each day, six days a week for 18 months. Along the way, they hope to raise $1 million for clean water projects in Fiji.

On Monday Delamater shared some final thoughts before the duo heads out: “I’m feeling very fortunate and thankful that I have this opportunity. We only get a little time here on Earth, and I’m of the persuasion of doing as much with it as I can. We have planned and worked very hard on this and now we are hoping for the best.”

Be sure to check back for updates on their journey. You can also follow Ryan and Davin on Twitter (@ride4water) or on Ryan’s blog.

Which is why, today through October 31, 2010, for every case of FIJI Water sold in the New York City metro area, we will donate $1 to Citymeals-on-Wheels, a nonprofit providing meals to homebound elderly.

In addition to donations per case sold in stores, one meal will also be donated for each case bought via FIJI Water Delivery. All together, FIJI Water will contribute up to $25,000 from your purchases.

Big-Time Charity

Citymeals has been operating in New York for almost 30 years, and has gained a place in the hearts of New Yorkers as one of the city’s most admirable charities.

Citymeals raises private funds to contribute to 30 community-based agencies that bring weekend, holiday, and emergency meals to New Yorkers who can no longer shop or cook for themselves. Last year, 1,500 volunteers helped bring over 2.1 million nutritious meals to 17,713 frail aged in every borough of New York City.

Citymeals volunteers are not just providing food, however. They also provide company and human contact to people who, for various reasons, have difficultly leaving their apartments.

Gael Greene and James Beard founded Citymeals-on-Wheels in 1981, after reading a newspaper article about elderly New Yorkers with nothing to eat on weekends and holidays. They rallied their friends in the restaurant community, raising private funds as a supplement to the government-funded weekday meal-delivery program. Twenty-nine years ago, their first efforts brought a Christmas meal to 6,000 frail aged.

Most charities use at least part of their donations for administrative expenses, but one of the amazing things about Citymeals is that they have arranged their finances so that 100% of all public donations — including those from FIJI Water — goes to straight to delivering meals.  Citymeals is able to do this because of a partnership with the New York City Department of Aging and with the help of charitable gifts specifically designated for administrative costs.

FIJI Water is proud to have worked with Citymeals-on-Wheels for over seven years. This September and October, if you’re in the New York metro area, pick up a FIJI Water at a participating retailer (like Gristedes, D’Agostino, or Food Emporium) and help out an important cause!

The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle sends bikers down California's glorious Route 1.

Best Buddies International, along with event Chair and First Lady of California Maria Shriver, is hosting its seventh Carmel-to-San Simeon bike ride down the beautiful California coast. Supporters will spend a memorable day biking, walking, or running for a truly worthwhile cause.

Held on September 11, 2010, the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle offers people several different ways to get involved. Participants can choose between a 100-, 62-, 35-, or 15-mile bike ride down the majestic Pacific Coast Highway, or a 3K walk or 5K run led by Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis.

As in previous years, participants will celebrate the completion of the Challenge by heading for the beautiful Hearst Ranch, where they’ll be treated to a professional massage, gourmet barbecue, and private concert by pop singing sensation Natasha Bedingfield.

Best Buddies bikers start their inspiring, 100-mile adventure.

FIJI Water is delighted to be the official water of this inspiring event, as well as its East Coast counterpart, the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port. In addition to the sponsorship, we’re donating $1 to the cause from every case of water sold at participating retailers, including Save Mart, Lucky, Nugget, Draegers, and CVS, in select locations throughout California, Oregon, and Washington during the months of August, September, and October 2010, up to a maximum of $7,500.

There’s still time to sign up for and be a part of the Challenge. If you’re short on time but would like to make a donation, all amounts are welcome.

Since its founding in 1989, Best Buddies has grown from a single chapter into a vibrant organization found on more than 1,500 middle school, high school, and college campuses around the world. The organization helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by creating one-on-one friendships with volunteers, facilitating integrated employment, and encouraging leadership development.

It couldn’t be more LA. The setting: the New York street set on the Paramount back lot. The food: a mix of new twists and classic favorites served up by a who’s who of LA chefs, including Ilan Hall (The Gorbals restaurant and winner, Top Chef Season 2) and Vinny Dotolo & Jon Shook (Animal Restaurant).

And, apropos the movie set location, there will be musical entertainment featuring actress Zooey Deschanel, one half of indie folk duo She & Him (the other half is singer/songwriter M. Ward). They’ve promised a full concert set.

Of course, great talent doesn’t give up their Labor Day weekend without a great cause: a portion of the proceeds will go to Share Our Strength, which fights childhood hunger, and the Los Angeles Times Family Fund, which works with disadvantaged children around Southern California.

If you can make it, be sure to swing by the Suva Café by FIJI Water, where Chef Hall will be serving his Hot Matzoh Balls. We will also have water on hand to keep attendees hydrated and cleanse the palate between tastings.

The event lasts all day Sunday September 5th, and tickets are still available.

Chef Hall Q&A

Chef Ilan Hall

We caught up with Ilan before the celebration and quizzed him about which

recent organic trend he finds “asinine,” and the difference between the New York and LA food scenes:

Q: Guilty food pleasures?

A: McDonald’s Cheeseburger.

Q: Any organic trends you dislike?

A: I find USDA organic standards to be asinine.

Q: Where do you go to source your food locally?

A: Sage Mountain Farms.

Q: Favorite recipe?

A: My Grandma’s plum pie.

Q: How much did your upbringing influence your cooking style?

A: My cooking style is very much a product of my upbringing. My Scottish and Jewish heritage is present in almost all of the cooking that I do.

Q: Favorite food show?

A: Cooking with Coolio.

Q: If Daniel Boulud decided to do another After Hours series in LA and partnered with you, who would your guest list consist of?

A: Vinny Dotolo & Jon Shook, Thai Elvis, Ludo, Coolio, and Susan Feniger.

Q: What is your favorite food pairing?

A: Cheddar cheese, beer and Worcestershire sauce.

Q: What is the big difference between the LA and NY culinary scenes?

A: LA, especially the culinary scene downtown, is young. There’s a lot of freedom to experiment with style and technique.

But first, we want to thank everyone who entered and everyone who voted. If you’ll be at Fashion Week, be sure to stop by Lincoln Center and have a FIJI Water. Also, check back here and on our Facebook page and Twitter stream for more news from the event.

(Drum roll, please.)

And now…the winners of the Fall 2010 New York Fashion Week Internship Contest:

Jenny Eisenberg

Jenny Eisenberg is a graduate of the University of Virginia and is a big fan of the classic style of Audrey Hepburn. Jenny is looking for an “upwardly mobile” position in the fashion industry — clearly she’s off to a good start.

Watch Jenny’s New York Fashion Week finalist video.

Toneisha Friday

Toneisha Friday describes herself as “fashion-savvy, goal-driven, and personable.” After graduating from Seton Hall this past spring, she’s currently pursuing an M.F.A. in Fashion Merchandising/Marketing from the Academy of Art in San Francisco.

Watch Toneisha’s New York Fashion Week finalist video.

Erin Naku

Erin Naku is a ’10 grad of Lehigh University with a B.S. in Marketing and Finance. Among her many accomplishments, Erin has worked in Prague, Czech Republic.

Watch Erin’s New York Fashion Week finalist video.

Ashley Sanders

Ashley Sanders is pursuing a degree in economics at Virginia Tech, while working as a model. Last year, Ashley studied at the prestigious L’École Supérieure de Commerce in Dijon, France, and traveled across Europe in her spare time.

Watch Ashley’s New York Fashion Week finalist video.

Congratulations to the winners, who will also enjoy a year of FIJI Water Delivery. We know with these four fashionistas working hard throughout the week, the models and designers will stay refreshed and well-hydrated.

Thank you to everyone for voting in our Fashion Week poll.  Be sure to check back in a couple months for our Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week Internship Contest.

Chefs attending included (clockwise, from left to right) Mattin Noblia, Erik Hopfinger, Ryan Scott, Jen Biesty, and Laurine Wicketts.

Celebrating the Bay Area’s vibrant food culture, the SF Chefs 2010 event brought together many of the biggest names in the San Francisco food scene.

The personalities were as varied as the palates, and high-profile attendees included Fleur de Lys‘ Hubert Keller (who, as at this year’s Vegas Uncork’d, swapped his chef’s hat for DJ headphones), Bon Appetit‘s 2005 Chef of the Year Michael Mina, and Ryan Scott of Top Chef, Season 4.

Joining the more than 120 chefs at the Union Square event were local vintners, distillers, and food lovers of all stripes — to the tune of 1,500 guests per day. Ticket proceeds went to the Golden Gate Restaurant Association Scholarship Foundation, which supports Bay Area students entering culinary and hospitality programs.

A highlight of the celebration, which lasted from August 9-15, was “MIX with SF Top Chefs,” held at the XYZ Restaurant in the W San Francisco. The afternoon event was a reunion of sorts for local chefs who found foodie fame on the popular Bravo series, as they prepared their own specialty cocktails for a crush of thirsty guests. Ryan Scott, Jennifer Biesty, Mattin Noblia, Erik Hopfinger, and Laurine Wickett were in competitive mode all over again as their concoctions — each taking inspiration from different neighborhoods of San Francisco — were judged on presentation, originality, and taste. The winner was Biesty’s “FIJI Facial,” which sought to capture the cool and refined flavor of Nob Hill. For those eager to make this drink on their own, here’s the recipe:

Jen Biesty's winning drink, the FIJI Facial.

The Nob Hill FIJI Facial

1 ½ oz cucumber juice
1 ½ oz Square One cucumber vodka
.5 oz Cointreau
.5 oz lime juice
.25 oz ginger juice
1 ½ teaspoons organic cane sugar
3 ea. mint leaves

Muddle the mint with the sugar. Add all other ingredients into shaker with FIJI Water ice. Rub the rim of each glass with lime, then dip into salt. Shake vigorously and strain over shaved FIJI Water ice. Garnish with mint.

Follow Biesty on Twitter (@JenBiesty) for cooking tips and all her latest news.

Four happy interns getting ready for the Spring 2010 New York Fashion Week.

We’re looking for eager and fashion-forward interns — and, as in previous seasons, we need your help to find them. The four candidates who receive the most votes will go on to be first-hand participants in one of the style world’s most exciting events.

1. Think of an historical figure who, like FIJI Water, is the embodiment of good taste. Who would it be, and why?
2. If you could put that person in any one fashion designer’s show, who would it be, and why?
3. If you could put that person in any one style of outfit, what would it be, and why?

Now it’s up to all our friends and fans to vote for their favorite intern candidate. A few things to remember:

• Voting starts today, August 17, 2010 at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 11:59 p.m PST.
• Only the votes logged on our poll below will be counted, so although we very much welcome your expressions of support, they won’t count towards a candidate’s tally.
• Ratings and comments posted on YouTube do not count.
• The four candidates with the most votes will be our interns.
• Winners will be announced on or around August 25, 2010.
• Please see our rules page for further information.

Watch the videos below and vote for your favorite. The four lucky winners will spend a week working and mingling with some of  the most important names in fashion. Good luck to the seven who’ve made it this far!

Here are the videos, in alphabetical order, by last name:
Katia Bitnar
 

Lashay Boyd
 

Jenny Eisenberg
 

Toneisha Friday
 

Shaylee Malek

Erin Naku
 

Ashley Sanders 

Miss Teen Idaho Hosanna Kabakoro (center) and new friends during one of the pageant's more formal events.

A resident of Idaho since she was 14, Hosanna Kabakoro is as proud of her Fijian origins as she is to be an American. She recently got to share that pride at the 2010 Miss Teen USA Pageant, held at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, the Bahamas. Although she didn’t win, Hosanna was named Miss Congeniality — a quality that shines through in her reflections on the pageant and what the experience  meant to her. 

Q: What did the Miss Teen USA Pageant teach you?

A: The MTUSA Pageant confirmed that with hard work there are no limits to what a person can accomplish.

Q: What did you feel when you were standing on the stage with all those eyes on you? Were you nervous?

A: Allie LaForce, Miss Teen USA 2005, gave me some very good advice just after I won my title. She said, “When you walk out on the stage, imagine that the room is filled with all of the people who love you.” I did this and felt quite comfortable during the MTUSA Pageant.

Q: What was your favorite part of the pageant experience?

A: Getting to promote public service to other teens. I also loved visiting the Bahamas and swimming in the ocean again.

Q: Was there any moment during the pageant where you felt unprepared?

A: No. Fortunately, my sponsors made it possible for me to have all the clothing I needed and  I am so grateful to FIJI Water, Pure Fiji, and Fabulous U Shopping for their generous support, as well as to my other private sponsors.

Q: If you could re-enter the pageant, is there anything you would do differently?

A: I don’t think so. I only paid $250 for the yellow gown I wore, and most of the other girls had paid thousands. I can’t imagine spending that much on a gown and then losing. I had so much fun, made lots of friends, learned a lot about the side of the pageant world most people don’t get to see, and  have tons of material for a book, should I ever decide to write one.

Hosanna (center) and some of the other pageant contestants pose during a beach shoot.

Q: How would you describe the Miss Teen USA contestants as a whole?

A: Most of the girls were smart, helpful, and kind. I especially loved Misses Texas, Illinois,  Georgia, Kentucky, Hawaii, and my roommate, Montana. Before I met the other girls I wondered if the rumors of “mean girl” stuff backstage were true, and although my gown was mysteriously torn on prelim night (20 minutes before I had to put it on!) I thought that most were terrific.  The staff was wonderful, too, and patched my gown so I could wear it.

Q: If you could give advice to someone who entered a beauty pageant and walked away without the crown, what would it be?

A: “Don’t let the pageant take over your life.” It’s a PAGEANT. It is not the cure for cancer or the answer to world hunger.  Have fun with it. Recognize that most pageant presidents know who they want to win. That is why the Miss Universe Organization arranges in advance to handpick six of the 15 finalists. Pageants are a business and the organizers have to answer to their advertisers and sponsors.  Don’t let it rock you if you don’t win.  After MTUSA crowned the gal they wanted to win, I looked around at the amazing women who didn’t and was blown away by their intellect, charisma, and grace. If they were the “losers,” then I figured I was in excellent company. I really do believe that when a door closes, a window opens.

Q: Do you feel that the Miss Teen USA Pageant changed you?

A: I am much stronger and more confident than I was a year ago.  I also know I can handle an interview and answer just about any question thrown at me.  I know I will take the skills I learned this past year and use them in the future.

Q: What are your next plans?

A: I was invited to be Guest Speaker at the first Fiji Children’s Day Award in November and am really hoping I can attend, so I’m trying to raise sponsorship for two round-trip tickets from Boise, Idaho, to Nadi, Fiji. I am honored to have been asked to speak at this wonderful event.

Another goal I have is to land a job with Fiji Television.  I speak both Fijian and English and would very much like to put the past four years of journalism experience to good use as a broadcast journalist.

Q: How do you plan to take this experience with you in the future?

A: I have been blessed by the many opportunities I have been granted.  I’ve been privileged to live in Idaho and  Washington, DC, where I worked under some of the world’s most powerful people. I have worked with refugees from all over the world, visited places like New York, Las Vegas, and the Bahamas, and currently serve on the National Board for Girl Scouts USA.   I guess the most important thing I learned from Miss Teen USA was that you can never lose by being kind and genuine.  Being voted the kindest girl by my peers and staff is an honor I will cherish forever.

The 2010-11 Diamond team roster is taking shape, and includes well-known players like Nathalie von Bertouche and Renae Hallinan as well as up-and-comers like Amy Steel. They’ll all compete in the August 15 match, which will be the third event in the Holden Netball Test Series. The fourth and final game will be against New Zealand’s national team, the Silver Ferns.

Currently numbering 15 players, the team’s final roster of 12 will be selected by the end of the exposition period.  They’ll then compete against the best netball teams from around the world in Delhi, India, for the Commonwealth Games.

How to Enter

Everyone who’s passionate about netball — especially the hard-charging members of the Diamonds team — is invited to answer the following question:

“Which Diamonds player is your favorite, and why?”

We’re looking for brief answers that best express your admiration for a specific athlete. An answer might be “Sharelle McMahon is my favorite because she’s a tough fighter and always stays focused on the game.”

McMahon, Lauren Nourse, Madison Browne, and the rest of their teammates will have their August 15 match telecast live on Ten from 3pm. You can also watch the event streaming on Netball Australia or the new Match Centre so you don’t miss a minute of the 2010 Holden Netball Test Series and the New World International Netball Series in New Zealand. With special features such as live scoring, Netball Australia’s Match Centre will provide you with up-to-the-minute court action.

Renae Hallinan and Kimberlee Green outflank an opponent.

The Fine Print

• All entries must be posted in the comments section of the FIJI Water blog, found below. Entries posted on Facebook will not be eligible for consideration.
• Winners will receive two tickets each to the match.
• Submissions will be evaluated by FIJI Water judges on the basis of their creativity, passion, and other positive criteria.
• Be sure to include a valid email address when leaving a comment on our blog so we can contact you.
• You must be 21 years or older to enter.
• Only entries submitted between Monday, August 9, 2010 at 12:01 a.m. AEST and Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. AEST will be considered.
• Official rules

You can also buy tickets to the August 15 match as well as others.