Atlanta, GA - So you would really like to support a great cause and give back to the community, but you don’t think you can fit it into your hectic schedule. Atlantans who find themselves in this very dilemma should take direction from the city’s own award-winning chef Gerry Klaskala and marketing guru Suzanne Shaw Cashin. Although both stay extremely busy running successful businesses and helping several other charitable events, they have still managed to lend their time and expertise to one event that just may change the lives of Georgia’s babies forever – the 21st Annual March of Dimes Dining Out to Save Babies.

Returning on the evening of Friday, May 20th, one of Atlanta’s top culinary and best-loved fundraisers will serve up Atlanta’s best cuisine while raising proceeds for the Georgia Chapter of the March of Dimes. Working closely with more than 60 of Atlanta’s preeminent restaurants that are participating, Klaskala serves as the event’s Honorary Chef. Cashin serves as Event Chairperson helping to create an exquisitely chic night to remember.

"Year after year without hesitation, the Atlanta restaurant community eagerly steps forward to help out such a worthy cause," explained Klaskala. "How can we say no with the future of Georgia’s babies at risk? Especially when it requires something so simple that we all love to do – provide dazzling and delectable food to a hungry audience!"

Klaskala, executive chef and managing partner of the Buckhead restaurant Aria, revitalized the art of gourmet cooking when he began creating delightful culinary masterpieces nearly twenty-five years ago. Local and national media outlets frequently seek Klaskala out as a definitive leader in fine Atlanta cuisine and in 2001 Aria was named one of the countries best by Esquire Magazine. Klaskala has received the Robert Mondavi Culinary Award of Excellence and has appeared on NBC’s "Today" show, "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee," and CNN.

Cashin, owner of PennHouse Productions, is excited to join Klaskala for this year’s popular fundraising event. For the past five years, Cashin has planned executive dinners in private homes with Atlanta’s best chefs while also working closely with several of Atlanta’s top events. She serves as Marketing Coordinator for the Atlanta Gallery Association, which produced ATLart[04] and ATLart[05], and she produced the ultra-successful 2004 Castleberry Loft Tour. She also serves as the Audience Coordinator for the wildly popular Blue Collar TV, filmed in Atlanta and Athens, Georgia. As the manager of one of Atlanta’s most prestigious special events and lifestyle marketing businesses, Cashin’s admired professionalism and extensive experience will help take this favorite mouth-watering affair to a whole new level!

Filled with delectable dining and great fun, March of Dimes Dining Out begins with dinner – including food, wine and service – for a party of 10 guests donated and hosted by one of several participating Atlanta restaurants. Dinner, however, is just the beginning of this one-of-a-kind dining experience. After dinner, the evening continues with an after-party at The Four Seasons Hotel featuring desserts, coffees, cordials and entertainment, capped off with the ever-popular silent and live auction. Tickets, ranging from $85 to $125 per person, can be purchased individually or hosts can purchase a table for 8 or 10 guests. Ticket prices and number of guests will depend upon the restaurant chosen. A full list of participating restaurants will be announced soon. Atlantans who wish to indulge themselves by purchasing tickets or hosting a table should contact the March of Dimes at 404-350-9800, extension 202.

About the March of Dimes:

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a five-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.www.marchofdimes.com/georgia

Media Contact: Tara Murphy/Laura Cubbage, 360 Media - 404-577-8686 – info@360media.net