Master Chef Rick Bayless Coming to Rockford on Saturday, October 23rd
Rockford Public Library Foundation hosts two fundraising events
Rockford Public Library Foundation will host two fundraising events on Saturday, October 23, 2010 featuring renowned chef and restaurateur Rick Bayless. Bayless has done more than any other culinary star to introduce America to authentic Mexican cuisine and to change the image of Mexican food in American. His award-winning books include Mexican Kitchen: Capturing the Vibrant Flavors of a World-Class Cuisine, Mexico—One Plate at Time and Salsas That Cook. Rick resides in Chicago with his family with whom he runs three successful restaurants: Frontera Grill, Topolobampo and XOCO. His newest restaurant, the Red O, just opened in Los Angeles. Rick’s show “Mexico—One Plate at a Time” is currently in its fifth season on PBS.
Rick Bayless will attend two fundraising events presented by the Rockford Public Library Foundation to be held at Giovanni’s Restaurant located at 610 N. Bell School Road on Saturday, October 23rd:
“Rick Bayless Cooks!” 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Cooking demonstration, Q. & A. and tasting of authentic Mexican cuisine. Rick will demonstrate preparation techniques for three items from his restaurants’ menus and cookbooks. Cost is $35 for limited priority seating or $25 for general seating. Guests receive a sample tasting of items. Rick’s books will be for sale at the event but there will be no book signing. Cash bar will be provided.
“Rick Bayless Live!” 7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
A gourmet dinner and Bayless speaking engagement: Guests will receive a five course gourmet dinner prepared by Head Chef Al Castrogiovanni and staff, based on recipes from Rick’s restaurants and cookbooks. Rick will speak during dinner about his travels, his cooking, his books, the Frontera Farmers Foundation and other topics. A vegetarian menu version is available upon request. 300 seats are available and tickets are $125 per person.
This is the third author fundraising event presented by the Rockford Public Library Foundation. The events are being spearheaded by Chairwoman Janet Moore and Co-Chairwoman Sherry Harlan. The Foundation helps raise funds to support library programming and activities.
To reserve tickets to the Tasting and/or the Gourmet Dinner, visit www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org and click on the Bayless program banner, call 815-987-6603 or email
khughes@rockfordpubliclibrary.org. Tickets will be mailed to paid registrants on October 4, 2010.
Sponsorships are being sought for these events which provide many sponsor benefits including invitations to a private cocktail reception to meet Mr. Bayless starting at the $1,000 sponsorship level. For sponsorship information, please call 815-987-6611 or email Renee Jensen, Development Officer at rjensen@rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
A special thanks to our Premier Sponsor Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. and to our Supporting Sponsor OSF St. Anthony Medical Center.
About the Library
The Rockford Public Library, founded in 1872 as the second library in Illinois, currently has six facilities, including the Main Library and five Branch Libraries. The Rockford Public Library’s mission is to enhance community life and development by informing, educating, entertaining, and providing cultural enrichment to all people of all ages by collecting information to address the diverse interests of our dynamic community.
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