DENVER, Colo., Sept. 13, 2005/The March of Dimes today announced that tickets are now on sale for Signature Chefs, its gourmet food sampling event. The evening offers the cream of the local culinary crop serving in person their delicious delights. Also on the menu are entertainment (including acclaimed Denver pianist Danny Showers) and an auction of dining, recreation, hospitality, travel and other packages.

March of Dimes Signature Chefs will be held on Wednesday, October 26 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Westin Tabor Center. Individual tickets are $150 and sponsorships begin at $2500. Opportunities for in-kind donations also exist. Those interested are invited to call the March of Dimes at (303) 692-0011 or visit http://www.marchofdimes.com/colorado/.

Chefs signed up to date to put their mark on Signature Chefs include: Jamey Fader/LoLa; David Harker/O’s Steak & Seafood; Sheila Lucero/Jax Fish House; Steven Rohs/The Painted Bench; Enrique Socarras/Cuba Cuba; Jean Stone/The Palm; Dan VanHeusden/The Capital Grille; Stephen Vice/McCormick’s Fish House; and, Jean-Luc Voegele/Westin Tabor Center. Up to 20 chefs will participate.

Proceeds from Signature Chefs benefit the March of Dimes and its efforts to improve the health of babies. A key initiative is addressing prematurity, the leading killer of newborns in Colorado and nationwide. The March of Dimes carries out its mission through research, community services, education and advocacy. Currently in Colorado, the group funds nearly $1.4 million in healthy-baby programs.

Although in its ninth year, the March of Dimes event will feature something new: the Pro-Am Culinary Quickdraw. The competition will pit two teams in an Iron Chef-type war of the whisks. Each team will be comprised of two local stars, one culinary and one media. Updates on the Pro-Am Culinary Quickdraw will be posted regularly on the March of Dimes Colorado chapter website at http://www.marchofdimes.com/Colorado/.

The volunteer chair of March of Dimes Signature Chefs is Debbie Welle-Powell, Exempla Healthcare Corporate Services vice president of managed care and network development. Rick Crandall of radio station Studio 1430 AM KEZW will serve as master of ceremonies. KEZW is an event sponsor, along with the Westin Tabor Center.

Two other Colorado communities are scheduled to host March of Dimes Signature Chefs events this year: Boulder (on Tuesday, October 11) and Colorado Springs (on Thursday, November 3).

Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. More information may be obtained at http://www.marchofdimes.com/ (English) and http://www.nacersano.org/ (Spanish).

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Media contact:
Becky Herlinger
bherlinger@marchofdimes.com