CeliacChicks

Celiac Disease Event: 2nd Annual Taddeo Event Nov. 8th

Here's your invitation for the Second Annual Taddeo Celiac Disease Event to benefit the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University. (Did any of you get to go last year? Details, please.)

Date: 

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Time:

3:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Celiac Disease Center At Columbia University Gala Photos

THE FOOD

 

 

The gala on October 15th was super fantastic! Of course, the food was all gluten-free. The bread above was provided by Everybody Eats. The hallah was especially delicious! The cake was made by Everybody Eats too. I have to confess, the wine I drank made me throw all caution to the wind and I cheated (in regards to my dairy and corn issues) and indulged in the cake. I'm still recovering, but it was worth the momentary lightness of being that only the taste of butter can bring!

THE VENUE

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel is about as posh as it gets with views of city lights and Central Park.

THE PEOPLE

Dr. Peter Green and Cynthia Beckman

Of course, what really makes an event is the people. And there are some pretty amazing people within our gluten-free community. I was disappointed I didn't get to talk to, or even see, everyone I had hoped to catch up with. There were over 400 people in attendance! 

This year the honorees were: Colin Leslie, Foods By George, Rory & Bruce Teitelbaum, and Shire. 

Gluten-Free Philadelphia: NFCA Cooking Spree Photos

Here are some photos I took at the National Foundation For Celiac Disease Awareness Cooking Spree in Philadelphia.

As you can see, there were a lot of people at the Wachovia Center that night. The TV monitor above let you easily keep tabs on the cooking competitions while you walked around and noshed on all types of gluten-free goodies. It reminded me of The Bite of Oregon, but gluten-free. And it was in Philly. Oh, and Curtis Salgado was missing. No worries though, it was a fabulous time and the food was amazing!

Imagine being able to eat everything offered to you. Top restaurants from around Philly showed off their gluten-free masterpieces. Gluten-free bakeries and purveyors abounded. It was actually a bit overwhelming...in a good way. Please forgive me for not remembering all of the restaurant names or dishes. My head was spinning due to all of the excitement in the air and the amount of choices.

I loved all of the little fancy sample dishes.

Fresh ceviche is always delicious!

Cupcakes anyone? This cupcake tower reminded me of Alice In Wonderland.

Aren't they precious?

And of course, the party wouldn't have been complete without an appearance from Shabtai Gourmet aka Cinderella Sweets and their gluten-free HoHo's. Cinderella herself insisted on this photo. My friend Alex Beauchamp is on the far left and Andrew Itzkowitz is in the middle.

I was especially excited to find out that Ciroc vodka had a table there! Did you know that Ciroc is made from grapes?! Whooo Hooo! I got a little nervous when I heard there was an ice luge, but it was just a fun way for the Ciroc girls to chill and serve the vodka. I know the picture above doesn't do the ice luge justice, but you can blame that on the al al al al al co hol.

If you live near San Francisco you can catch the next NFCA Cooking Spree coming up next Friday, October 30th. I guarantee you'll have a good time!

Celiac Disease Center At Columbia University Annual Gala

This is a really swanky event. Below are some fun photos from this event in the past.

2008 Gala, Mandarin Oriental

2007 Gala, The Metropolitan Club

Here is your official invitation:

The Biggest Gluten-Free Party Ever

Gluten-Free Cooking Spree Brings Top Chefs, Medical Professionals, and Media Into the Kitchen to Compete for the Best Gluten-Free Dish

WHAT: The Gluten-Free Cooking Spree brings together medical and lifestyle aspects of celiac disease to educate attendees about this autoimmune disorder that affects 1 in 133 people. Over 1500 guests will enjoy gluten-free food as ten teams that consist of 25 of Philadelphia's top chefs and doctors compete to create the best gluten-free dish. Gluten-free samples and coupons will be freely distributed by 50 vendors.
 
WHY: An estimated three million Americans have celiac disease, but only 1 in every 4700 with the disease receives an accurate diagnosis. Left untreated, people with celiac disease can develop further complications such as other autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, thyroid disease and some cancers. This event helps educate and raise awareness for the screening amongst medical professionals, children and adults.
 
WHEN: September 30, 2009
               6:30–9:00 p.m.
 
WHERE: Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA.
 
HOW: To attend the Gluten-Free Cooking Spree, online RSVP is available at www.celiaccentral.org. Admission fees are $100, or $35 for students. The VIP reception is $250. Fees will be waived for media.

WHO: Alice Bast, founder of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, is available for interviews prior to the event, and she will join staff members at the Gluten-Free Cooking Spree to answer questions and provide materials and resources.
 
BACKGROUND: The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funding for celiac disease that will advance research, education and screening amongst medical professionals, children and adults. Visit www.celiaccentral.org for more information.