Celebrations, Chocolate and Cuisine, OH MY!

I must say that the Service Club of Chicago’s Ball on Saturday, November 2nd, didn’t notice a drop in the economy! We had over 450 guests and raised approximately $460,000. The invite read “An Exclusively Elegant Evening” and that it was: The Palmer House pulled out all stops to make this event one of the best in town. Tom Kehoe’s artistry was in full force as guests were wowed by the dazzling floral displays in two-foot-tall cut crystal vases where each table was highlighted by pin lights for that extra dramatic flair. The silent auction tables were smorgasbords of prizes that appealed to every level of bidder. For the auction alone, we raised over $83,000. There was a table called “Priceless” that included a private dinner at Chef Art Smith’s house with a chauffeured vintage Rolls Royce limo, U.S. Open tickets for the men’s semis and final, VIP tickets to the Vancouver Olympics, private race car lessons and much, much more. There was dancing to the Bradley Young Orchestra and a lovely opening address by president Bonnie Rickard. A lovely evening was had by all to benefit the philanthropic arm of the Service Club of Chicago. One hundred percent of all proceeds raised went toward grants for worthy organizations in the area. Special thanks to my special co-chairs Cynthia Burns and Sherry Lea Holson and to John Reilly Photography for his outstanding work covering the ball. (If some of my photos look familiar, it’s because the Sun-Times used them on their social page on December 2nd!) Photos from top left: Event co-chairs Cynthia Burns, Sherry Lea Holson and me; Service Club president Bonnie Rickard and her husband Jack; Cynthia Burns, Laura Wallace, Sharyl Mackey, me and Pat Maxwell; Dori Wilson and Aurelio Huertas; Bob and Holly Barr with Hazel Barr and John Regas; Richard and Yvette Cusack with Sheree and Jim Valukas; Charlie Trotter and Rochelle Smith; William and Peggy Martay; Connie Saville, Mary Pat Burns and Caitlin Saville; Nick O'Keefe, Chuck, me and Linda Novick O'Keefe. For more photos from this event, click HERE!

When Greg Hyder tells you this is one of his favorite holiday parties of the year, you tend to sit up and take notice! The World of Chocolate was held in the International Ballroom of the Hilton Wednesday, December 3rd. The proceeds from this incredible party went to the Aids Foundation of Chicago and this year's event was a record breaker both in attendance (over 1,600 people attended) and with their net proceeds (over $200,000). The chocolate delicacies came from Chicago's finest restaurants, hotels, caterers and chocolatiers. They even had a Santa's Village where you could start your Christmas shopping! The smell in the room alone was worth the price of admission. There were chocolate creations in every shape and form for even the most discerning Willy Wonkas! Chef Art Smith and Jesus Salguiero were the honorary chairs. I want to thank my hosts Greg Hyder, David Brandt and Jim Smith for introducing me to the World of Chocolate! I'm sure I will see you all there next year…. Photos from top left: Pastry chef Fabrice Bouet, executive chef Stephen Henry and David Brandt; having fun at the Wide World of Chocolate!; Greg Hyder and artist Erik Rosa; David Murga and Tom Kehoe; Quentin Schumacher; Ginger, Wayne Harth and Jeremy Dobbie; Howard Brown Health Center president and CEO Michael Cook. For more photos from this event, click HERE!

On Monday, November 17th, a legion of fans descended on Hub 51 Restaurant for a reception celebrating a retrospective of photographer Mitchell Canoff. He is the photographer of choice for Chicago Link Productions (which produced this event) and many others around town. He is a likeable and talented guy and it showed when even his friends from high school showed up to celebrate with him! I was honored to be on the Host Committee which also included Richard Driehaus, Al and Suzanne Friedman, Suzie and Ross Glickman, Brenda Sexton, Billy Marovitz and Christie Hefner, Sugar Rautbord, Mark and Maureen Schulman, Joanie Steele, Howard and Judy Tullman, John and Lori Wallis and Neal Zucker. Rich Melman provided refreshments and helped with the visuals for Mitch’s terrific portfolio of life studies. Congrats, Mitch! You deserve it! Photos from top right: Honoree Mitch Canoff (center) with high school friends; Rich Melman and me; interior designer Paul Gonzalez and Chuck; Lori and Don Schroud; Diane Geiger, Dorothy Whealan and Jolanta Ruege. For more photos from this event, click HERE!  

Come meet the Broadway and Joffrey stars of “Dirty Dancing” in a benefit for the Joffrey Ballet’s Academy of Dance on Monday, January 5th in the Joffrey Tower (10 E. Randolph) from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be a wine and cheese reception, silent auction and performances from the cast to benefit dance scholarships. It will be an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime evening for a very worthy cause. Come celebrate with us! Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door.  To purchase tickets or for more information, please email dirty@joffrey.org, call (312) 386-8944 or visit their website. Photo: Britta Lazenga.

Also, HUGE kudos to my fellow Women’s Board members of the Joffrey Ballet for being named by CS Magazine as the “Power Board” in the city! In 2007, we raised $1.6 million in general operating support for our Joffrey. Everyone works so hard and it’s wonderful to receive this honorable recognition. Thanks CS and thanks to all of you who support us! 🙂

There is a new chef in town that you won’t want to miss at the Peninsula’s Shanghai Terrace. Chef Ping Xu has 12 years of culinary experience and hails directly from Shanghai. I went for a tasting and the food and ambience were incredible! Hats off to the Peninsula for scoring another perfect 10 with Chef Ping! Book your reservations now by calling 312-573-6744 to celebrate the Chinese New Year and, starting Thursday, January 22nd through January 29th, the Peninsula will be hosting a Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea with a tasty menu and some surprises for the kids! Photos fro top left: Chef Ping; writer Ari Bendersky and Greg Hyder; Chef Ping's famous Bird's Nest soup made with Korean ginseng and Chinese red dates.

Thanks to Jon Wool for interviewing me last week on his fantastic blog radio show, The Finesse Cuisine Hour! This show is live and may be heard on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST. It’s produced by  www.Sohobiztube.com and my segment came after Flashpoint’s Howard Tullman (let me tell you, he is one tough act to follow!) Congratulations to Jon on a terrific show and thanks to Howard for all of the good work he does for so many talented kids…. 

Which chic couple is driving the hottest set of urban wheels? Julie and Fred Latsko look great in their Smart Car! Kudos to you for not only being fashionable but environmentally friendly as well! Photo: Smart Car.

And GREAT NEWS for friends and fans of Kelly Mulqueeny: I just read her Facebook update and it says “Kelly Mulqueeny’s cancer is leaving the building. Tests read ‘significant improvement’ on all accounts.” What a wonderful Christmas present! Congratulations, Kelly! Photo: Kelly Mulqueeny.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays! Remember to support your favorite charity. They all need your help now more than ever to continue the good work that they do. On a lighter note, brace yourself for the Dismero Blog Party pics coming up next!!!! Wooohooo! (Thanks to Bill Zwecker for coming and for the great write-up!) Also, don't forget to check out my NBC Street Team blog here.