Nane Annan "First Lady of the United Nations" To Join AIDS Foundation of Chicago to Commemorate World AIDS Day

Nane Annan, the wife of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, will be the special guest as the AIDS Foundation of Chicago commemorates World AIDS Day on Thursday, December 5. Mrs. Annan will be in Chicago to talk about the global AIDS crisis.

Chocolate enthusiasts are invited to attend A World of Chocolate, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's (AFC) new holiday event to commemorate World AIDS Day, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Chicago Cultural Center. Guests can indulge in a variety of chocolate creations from 16 of Chicago's top restaurants, caterers and hotels, while local Chicago celebrities judge the best from each category.

Fellow chocolate connoisseurs Dean Richards of WGN-TV and Radio, Bill Zwecker of the Chicago Sun-Times and Victor Javier Solano of WSNS-TV Telemundo will judge the rich delicacies. Some treats on the menu include chocolate dipped strawberries, spicy chocolate soup, spiced pecan chocolate truffles, Crepes St. Germain, and others.

Guests will be able to sample irresistible creations from Ambria & Mon Ami Gabi, Aria, Coco Pazzo, Crepes a Latte, Food for Thought Catering, French Pastry School, George L. Jewell Catering, Hilton Chicago, Margie's Candies, Marshall Field's, Regency Catering, Rushmore, Thyme, Trio, Vosges Haut-Chocolat and Wolfgang Puck Catering & Events.

To commemorate World AIDS Day, holiday trees at the event will be decorated to represent the countries and regions of the world most affected by the epidemic. In addition, Christopher Radko ornaments and other items will be available for purchase at the event's "Holiday Bazaar."

Open bars, chocolate martinis, espresso drinks, a light buffet and musical entertainment will complete the chocolate experience.

WHEN: 6-9 p.m., Thursday, December 5, 2002
WHERE: Chicago Cultural Center, Sidney Yates Gallery, 77 E. Randolph
TICKETS: $50 - individual tickets in advance $60 - individual at the door $75 - Red Ribbon Tickets (individual tickets with recognition)

For more information and to reserve tickets, call (312) 922-3222 ext. 335. Funds raised through A World of Chocolate will support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC). AFC is the Midwest's largest AIDS service organization and Illinois' principal advocate for people living with and at risk for HIV infection. Through its private grantmaking program, AFC supports AIDS prevention, care, and advocacy projects throughout metropolitan Chicago. Since 1988, AFC has provided nearly $12 million to agencies working on the frontlines of the HIV epidemic.

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