CONTACT:  Nate Brown, (703) 824-0111, ext. 16; nbrown@marchofdimes.com

WHAT: Signature Chefs of D.C. features more than 40 of Washington, D.C.’s, top chefs for an evening of culinary tastings. The live and silent auctions will include unique dining packages, hotel stays and weekend getaways.  More than 10 wineries will have stations at the event, which will also include a martini bar.

Signature Chefs is a fundraiser for the March of Dimes in the Washington, D.C., area.  Proceeds from the event will support local programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to reduce the occurrence of premature birth and infant mortality.
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WHEN: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 (National Prematurity Awareness Day).  Sampling begins at 6 p.m.; the live auction begins at 8:30 p.m. 

WHERE: Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, 999 Ninth St., NW, Washington, D.C.

WHY: Prematurity is the leading cause of death in the first month of life and leads to lifelong health consequences such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, chronic lung disorders and hearing and vision loss for thousands of children each year.  Total annual hospital charges for premature babies exceed $18.1 billion.

WHO:  ABC 7 News anchor Leon Harris will serve as the event emcee.  The honorary chef is Jeff Tunks of Acadiana/Ceiba/DC Coast/TenPenh.  The event chair is Kelley Gillespie.

For a list of participating restaurants and wineries, please visit the March of Dimes Web site at http://www.marchofdimes.com/metrodc/.

FEATURE:  Participating chef James Muir of Rosa Mexicano weighed 3.8 pounds at birth in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Muir says his mother remembers how he was “yellow and had to be kept under warming lights for weeks.”  Chef James hopes his participation will help raise awareness for what premature babies go through as they struggle to survive.

Chef James will literally be on the auction block during the evening’s live auction: He is donating a private four-course dinner for six guests. 

VISUALS:  Pumpkin Babies: Each chef’s station will display small pumpkins that weigh the same as the birth weight of actual babies born premature.  Many of those children will be at the event.
 
 Kissed by a Preemie Booth: Small children (ages 2 to 7) dressed in chef uniforms will be handing out Hershey’s Kisses to guests.

 Group portrait: Group portrait of the 40 chefs is scheduled for 5:50 p.m.  Photo ops are also available with chefs, their pumpkins and the children whose birth weight matches the pumpkin’s weight.

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