FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ryan Singleton (312) 334-0913

WORLD OF CHOCOLATE: The Sweetest Event of the Year
Annual Holiday Gala Benefit Raises Funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago

Tantalize your taste buds with sweet and savory culinary delights at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s 12th annual World of Chocolate gala.

In commemoration of World AIDS Day, this one-of-a-kind soiree will take place on Friday, December 6 at Chicago Union Station from six to nine o’clock in the evening. It will be a night of decadence and irresistible chocolate creations, as well as a holiday party that celebrates progress made in fighting HIV/AIDS.

Guests will experience confections from dozens of Chicago’s finest chocolatiers, restaurants, and caterers. Chicago A-list food critics will be in attendance and charged with crowning the night’s best creations. Attendees will also enjoy a light buffet, specialty cocktails, a raffle with lavish prizes, and music.

Last year, more than 1,200 guests indulged their senses with displays that included chocolate Christmas trees and a tropical paradise, while enjoying delicacies such as chocolate grilled cheese, white chocolate ganache, and chocolate infused tea.

Funds raised through World of Chocolate support AFC’s grant-making, policy, and public education programs.

World AIDS Day is a worldwide effort to increase public awareness and encourage support and programming that prevents the spread of HIV. December 1 has been observed as World AIDS Day since 1988, when an international summit of health leaders called for a greater exchange of information on HIV/AIDS in every country around the globe.

For more information and to reserve tickets, call (312) 334-0935 or visit www.aidschicago.org/chocolate. Ticket prices and packages are as follows:

• General Admission: $125 (includes one event ticket)
• Red Ribbon Ticket: $225 (includes one event ticket, early VIP access, name recognition on event website, and electronic program)
• Bittersweet Bliss Ticket Package: $800 (includes four event tickets, early VIP access, name recognition on invitation, event website, and electronic program)
• Chocolate Ecstasy Ticket Package: $1,500 (includes eight event tickets, early VIP access, name recognition on invitation, event website, and electronic program)

Vendors will include: 90 Miles Café, Chocolat Uzma Sharif, Das Foods, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, DS Tequila, Hilton Chicago, Just Like U Like It Catering, Kendall College School of Culinary Arts, La Parisianne du Chocolat Company, Le Cordon Bleu, Loni Loo’s Homemade Candies, Mercat a la Planxa, minibar, RL Restaurant, Terry’s Toffee, tesori, The Peninsula, Sixteen, Uptown Brownie, Vanille Patisserie, Walgreens, Wow Bao, and Zed 451.

Lead sponsors are: Barry-Callebaut Chocolate, Gilead, Golin Harris, McDonald’s, PepsiCo, Splash Magazine, and Walgreens.

Supporting sponsors are: American Airlines, Bell Litho Printing, First Light Group LLC, Food for Thought Catering, John Gress Photography, Kehoe Designs, Orbitz, Paterno Group, Public Communications Inc., and Van Gogh Vodka.

Media Partners include: A&U Magazine, BestGayChicago.com, Chicago Magazine, ChicagoPride.com, GRAB Magazine, Gay Chic Magazine, and Windy City Media Group.

Click here to download this release.

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Founded in 1985 by community activists and physicians, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is a local and national leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. AFC collaborates with community organizations to develop and improve HIV/AIDS services; fund and coordinate prevention, care, and advocacy projects; and champion effective, compassionate HIV/AIDS policy.