Chicago Chefs Serve Signature Dishes to Support March of Dimes in Preventing Premature Birth

Guests to receive exclusive tastings from soon-to-open Siena Tavern by Chef Fabio Viviani, and future Del Frisco’s Steak House

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- More than 600 guests will sample delectable dishes from nearly 25 local chefs representing Chicago’s finest dining establishments during the March of Dimes 17^th Annual Signature Chefs Auction. This fundraising event to help prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality, will be held Tuesday, October 30^th at the Swissôtel, 323 E. Wacker Dr., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Participating restaurants include: Allium at the Four Seasons, Benny’s Chop House, soon-to-open Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, Mastro’s Steakhouse, Mercadito, Paris Club, Prosecco, The Purple Pig, Red Door, Roy’s, ZED451 and more. The 2012 Honorary Chef is Derek Simcik of Atwood Café.

Guests will also be treated to exclusive tastings from the much-anticipated Siena Tavern by Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani, who is best known for his appearance on reality shows Top Chef New York and Top Chef: All Stars. Chef Fabio will serve as chef of the rustic Italian restaurant Siena Tavern. Viviani is opening the restaurant in January with Dineamic Group, the owners of Public House and Bull & Bear in River North.

Del Frisco’s, a steakhouse opening in the former Esquire Theater in the Gold Coast, will also provide a glimpse of their menu, which debuts in December.

This event will also feature an extensive auction of exclusive items including:

• Golf outing for four at Medinah Country Club, host of the 2012 Ryder Cup
• Weeklong stay at Canyons Ski Resort in Park City, Utah
• Guest bartender role on WTTW’s Check, Please!

The March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction is held in nearly 200 cities across the country. In 2011, these events raised over $15 million to make sure all babies are born healthy. This unique and fun dining experience, where top local chefs present their signature dishes in a tasting format, has raised more than $145 million for the March of Dimes since the first Signature Chefs Auction was held in 1989.

Held in the fall, Signature Chefs Auction kicks off November Prematurity Awareness Month. This November, the March of Dimes is focusing on educating the public about the importance of waiting at least 39 weeks to deliver a baby, so long as the pregnancy is healthy and does not require an early elective delivery. March of Dimes supports labor happening on its own if there is no medical need to deliver early because waiting at least 39 weeks allows a baby’s brain, lungs, and liver to develop to the fullest. Elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks gestation are associated with higher rates of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, respiratory problems, increased use of ventilator support and more.

Tickets are $250 per person or $2,500 for a table. For more information about the Signature Chefs Auction of Chicago, visit www.marchofdimes.com/illinois and click on “Events” or call 312-596-4712.

Event sponsorship is provided by Walgreens, Quaker Foods North America, Tata Consultancy Services, among others. Media sponsorship is also provided by Yelp.com and 97.1 FM The Drive.

About the March of Dimes

The March of Dimes is a champion for all babies, and has protected for nearly 75 years. Beginning with funding the research that led to the eradication of polio in the U.S., the March of Dimes is the first and only organization that eradicated the disease it set out to eliminate, and also is the first health organization to host a nationwide walk.

Founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the organization was originally called the National Infantile Paralysis Foundation. After funding the research that led to the eradication of polio, the organization changed its focus to premature birth and birth defects. The March of Dimes will celebrate its 75^th Anniversary in 2013. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.