Guests sampled the chefs’ signature dishes prepared especially for the evening, bid on unique silent auction items and participated in a live auction. These activities raised over $547,000 to support the March of Dimes mission to prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.

Abbott was the lead sponsor of this year’s event, and Miles D. White, Abbott’s Chairman and CEO, served as the Honorary Chair. 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. March of Dimes would also like to thank the event co-chairs Debra S. Sears of Bannockburn, and Linda O’Brien and Joan Alsberg of Lake Forest.

Among the popular auction items was a one-week stay in a Lusso Collection Home in the winner’s choice of the US, Canada, Caribbean or Western Europe ($10,000), a trip for two, including airfare, to London and Dublin ($8,000) and a limited edition bronze eagle sculpture ($7,000).

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, premature birth 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 campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.