Celebrities to Highlight at St. Jude's Inaugural Wine and Chocolate Gala

NEW YORK, May 22 NY-St.-Jude-gala
NEW YORK, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Honoree Tony Bennett and Honorary Chair Kristin Davis of acclaimed show Sex and The City will join St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Thursday, May 28th 2009, 8:00pm at Capitale to present their inaugural wine and chocolate gala, 'A Chocolat au Vin Affair'. It's a first for New York as guests and celebrities gather to enjoy a live orchestra with a musical performance by the legendary Tony Bennett, gourmet tastings by chef extraordinaire, Daniel Boulud along with some of the most intricate wine, chocolate and cheese pairings ever assembled. This sweet night of Dancing, Desserts and Dreams is being held to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the world's premier pediatric cancer research centers.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090522/FL21938 )

As wine and chocolate connoisseurs from around the world arrive, they will indulge their senses in a ballroom draped in chocolate themed decor, Godiva chocolate fountains, intricate floral designs and an array of wine, chocolate, cheese and meat stations. For wine and chocolate lovers, there will be 12 vineyards offering their wines and a custom Mocha Liquor Bar serving cocktails beyond a dream. VIP patrons and ticket holders can enjoy access to the celebrity pre-event cocktail starting at 7 p.m. that will include tastings of exclusive vintage wines, champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and hors d'oeuvres by Daniel Boulud, renowned chef of New York's four-star Restaurant DANIEL.

Event chairs Richard Estevez and Molly Birkenes have announced gala sponsors for the event which include Ferrari, Godiva, Napa Valley Vintners, Artisanal Cheese, Garden Design, Brick City Bakery, Phoenix Partners Group, Blue Parallel, Milk Studios, Trusted Translations, Chateau Poochie, Ramsey Asset Management, Heeb Magazine, DrivenEco, Corporate Services, Fame Route and Aligned Global.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is welcoming New York to enjoy this sweet night for a cause close to our hearts and yours. To purchase tickets, information on sponsorship opportunities or to donate items for the silent auction, please call 212-239-3239 ext. 103, email leanne.stella@stjude.org or visit www.stjudewineandchocolate.org

About St. Jude
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital