Chicago – The March of Dimes Chefs of Chicago event on Thursday, October 7, was a resounding success. More than 500 guests and 22 of Chicago's most celebrated chefs came together to raise more than $340,000 to support the March of Dimes mission to prevent birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality. Gabriel Viti, popular chef of Gabriel's and Miramar in Highwood and Joel Nickson, well-known chef of Wishbone, were the event's honorary chef co-chairs. Minor is a resident of Mount Prospect.

One of the evening's highlights was a special honor given to Brent Minor of LaSalle Bank for his 24 years of service as a March of Dimes volunteer. During that time he has served on numerous boards and committees, both on the local and national level. He was recently elected to March of Dimes National Board of Trustees. Brent, who is very active in the Chicago community, was presented with a caricature of himself showing the range of his civic activities.

Chefs of Chicago was held at the Fairmont Hotel. Guests sampled the chefs' signature dishes prepared especially for the evening, bid on unique silent auction items and participated in an exciting live auction.

The "auction item" that raised the most money was the "Fund a Mission." Guests were invited to pledge a donation at one of several giving levels. All of these donations will go directly to fund March of Dimes research efforts. The bidding was enthusiastic and generous, raising more than $31,000.

Among the other popular auction items were a one-week stay in a four-bedroom ski condo in Vail, Colorado ($4,750), Golden Tee Fore! Arcade game ($4,000), a trip for two to San Juan, Puerto Rico ($4,000) and a trip for two to the Red Mountain Spa in St. George, Utah ($3,750).

Special thanks go to Chefs of Chicago co-chairs, Joan Alsberg and Kim Beatrice of Lake Forest and the many volunteers who made the event possible. Because of their dedication and hard work the night was a great success.

All proceeds benefit the March of Dimes, 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. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at www.nacersano.org .