Circa Pict. & Prod. Co. Intnl Inc. (fka CPPD)

[skunksyard]

IRISH/I noticed that.... others/interesting event for Chicago Gay Games

"Get Your Cook On" with Oprah’s Chef At The Chopping Block

Nov 18 Merchandise Mart Benefit Will Feature Shelley Young and Art Smith
2005-11-03

Friday, 18 November, will be a night to remember. All who like to eat are invited to enjoy "Get Your Cook On," the second in a series of count down events leading up to the opening of Gay Games VII in July 2006.

Enjoy an evening with Chicago's Award-winning Chefs, great food, celebrity cooking demonstrations, terrific auction items, superb musical entertainment, delectable wine, divine soft beverages, personalized book signing and more. The featured celebrity chefs include Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef of many years, Art Smith, along with Shelley Young, founder of The Chopping Block Cooking School. The event will take place from 6 to 9 pm at The Chopping Block in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago. Tickets are $60 and an RSVP is required to [phone] or online at www.gaygameschicago.org.

Celebrity Chefs
Art Smith, most famously known as Oprah Winfrey's personal chef, has cooked professionally for the families of celebrities and heads-of-state for nearly twenty years. He grew up on a North Florida farm and trained at the Greenbrier and the Magic Kingdom College Program. He now lives in Chicago.

Shelley Young, founder of The Chopping Block and a Chicago favorite, is the recipient of the International Association of Culinary Professionals Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2005.

"The evening will be a feast of fun," said Tracy Baim, Board Co Vice-Chair of Gay Games Chicago and Chair of the Fundraising Committee. "Come interact with these award-winning chefs, enjoy their fabulous food and learn some of their secrets. The evening will include formal demonstrations and hands-on lessons."

Entertainment & Auction
Noted Chicago area singer and entertainer Lisa Rock, will be the host for the evening, singing tunes from a special menu of her "culinary cabaret cuisine".

The evening offers a silent auction featuring artwork by hot Chicago artist Eric Sosa and noted area artist Bob Klunk, dinner for eight at Polo Café and additional auction packages including catering, arts offerings and special dinners at restaurants. The top auction item of the evening is luxurious stay for two at a deluxe resort in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.

"Get Your Cook On" is sponsored by The Chopping Block. The co-sponsor for the evening is Rorke & Riley (formerly Riggs & Forsythe) makers of exquisite beverages and sponsors of the featured soft beverages for "Get Your Cook On!"

There is a donation $60 per person for admission. Advance reservations are required. The event starts at 6PM. The silent auction will conclude at 8:15PM. The fun, food, music, book signings and cooking demonstrations continue until 9PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.GayGamesChicago.org. All Proceeds Benefit Gay Games VII.

"Get ahead of yourself and start that Thanksgiving menu early with fabulous ideas from "Get Your Cook On," said Brian McGuinness, Gay Games Chicago Executive Director. "And along the way, enjoy a great evening with friends and support Gay Games VII."

About the Chopping Block
The Chopping Block Cooking School, with two locations in Chicago, offers daily hands-on and demonstration cooking classes for the home cook. Their classes are intimate and interactive, and subjects change monthly. Topics include seasonal, ethnic, healthy / vegetarian and weeknight cooking, entertaining, knife skills and wine tastings, plus the popular technique-oriented Building Blocks Series.

http://www.gaygameschicago.org/media/article.php?aid=121