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Pleasures of the Palate

November 11, 2011

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At Pleasures of the Palate, which benefits the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), attendees were thrilled by the event’s change in venue to the recently-revamped restaurant, The Forge.  Known for its dramatic wine cellars and innovative fare, it was the perfect spot for a crowd of foodies and wine enthusiasts to enjoy a four-course dinner paired with wines.  According to Event Chairs Tammy and Steven Klein, the November 6th affair attracted 140 guests and raised more than $80,000 for the cure-focused work of the DRI.

The evening began with sumptuous passed hors d’oeuvres and bubbling Spanish Brut Cava as Latin Grammy-nominated harpist Roberto Perera set the musical mood.  Guests sipped, nibbled and jotted down bid after bid at the wine-centric silent auction.  Moving into the private party room, an appetizing menu, created by Chef Dewey LoSasso, was laid out before them.  It started with a Bermuda Triangle goat cheese brulée stacked on layers of tomatoes and prosciutto and paired with a crisp sauvignon blanc, followed by a delicate crab cake with roasted apple and Calabaza salad accented by an un-oaked chardonnay.  Guests raved about the flavorful filet mignon with mashed fava bean and a medium-bodied crianza, culminating with a dark chocolate pistachio torte – delicious!

“Tonight, we see how big of a family we are; we are a family fighting for one cause, one cure,” stated the Kleins’ daughter, Carly Klein, 19, who has been living with type 1 since she was 5.  Her compelling speech assured the audience that there is “reason to believe that the Diabetes Research Institute will play a major role in finding the cure for diabetes.”

The response was tremendous!  Led by longtime DRI supporter Doug Gallagher, an exciting live auction engaged the audience in some very competitive bidding.  The top bidders of the evening were: Tim Choate, Steve and Tammy Klein, Moises Grayson, David Barkus, Scott Ferris, Scott and Amy Greenwald, Mark Bloom, Daniel and Vanessa Abramson, and Jacci and Floyd Seskin.

Special thanks were extended to sponsors Republic National Distributing Company; the Klein Family; Beverly and Bill Parker; Sue Gallagher; Scott and Amy Greenwald and Steven and Tammy Klein; Cara and Bobby Balogh; Gerson, Preston, Robinson, Klein & Company, P.A.; Avcom, Patty and Rolando Suarez; Swanee and Paul Di Mare; Doug Gallagher; and Mary Kay Vona, Principal, Ernst & Young, LLP

Extending their deepest gratitude to everyone in attendance, Mr. Klein stated, “When you support the Diabetes Research Institute, you support those who have committed themselves to a cure.”


DRIF's President and CEO Robert A. Pearlman (right) presenting Pleasures of the Palate Chairpersons Steven and Tammy Klein with the "Exploration" Cycle of Discovery award

 
The Klein Family - (l-r)David, Steven, Carly and Tammy, Wine Cellar Sponsors


Steven and Tammy Klein with Roxana Garciga (right), representing Republic National Distributing Company, Dinner Wine Sponsor

 
Beverly and Bill Parker, Centerpiece & Wine Glass Sponsors

 
Steven and Tammy Klein with Sue Gallagher (right), First Course Sponsor


Steven and Tammy Klein (center) and Amy and Scott Greenwald, Second Course Sponsors

 
Steven and Tammy Klein (center) with Bobby and Cara Balogh, Third Course Sponsors


Steven and Tammy Klein (center) with Alan and Lis Lips, representing Gerson, Preston, Robinson, Klein & Co., P.A., Fourth Course Sponsor


Steven and Tammy Klein with Patty Suarez (center), representing Avcom, Sommelier Sponsor


Dr. Luigi Meneghini of the DRI and DRIF's President and CEO Robert A. Pearlman with Tammy, Steven, Carly and David Klein, and Doug Gallagher, auctioneer and Sommelier Sponsor


Top bidder Tim Choate with girlfriend Andreina Moraos, and daughter Stephanie Choate


Moises Grayson, a top bidder, with daughter Jillianne and wife Tabitha


Allison and David Barkus


Shirley Harris (2nd from left) with DRI's Aimee Siegel-Harris and Gary Kleiman, and DRIF's Jill Shapiro-Miller


Dr. Camillo Ricordi of the DRI with wife Valerie (right) and islet recipiet Antonella Soliani and her boyfriend, Ricardo Signorelli (left)

 
Floyd and Jacci Seskin


(l-r) Pearl Rosenberg, Susan Jaffe, and Hope Rosenberg

 
Adrienne d'Anunzio from SeaDream Yacht Club and guest, Brian Lutz


Mara Mangachi and daughter, Sofia


(l-r) Nancy and Richard Ladd, and Amy and Scott Greenwald taking a look at the silent auction items


(l-r) Mindy Valencia, DRIF's President and CEO Robert A. Pearlman, DRIF's COO Deborah Chodrow, Jana and Steve Sonberg


Daniel and Vanessa Abramson


Jill and Neal Berman


Mike and Nelly Farra 

 


Sabrina and Scott Ferris


Gail and Michael Frankel


Edith and Robert Hudson


Linda Widrich-Weitz and son, Jordan Weitz


(l-r) Jennifer Yedo, Michele Schwitalla, Lori Glassberg, DRI's Aimee Siegel-Harris, and Monica Stouffer


DRI's Mitra Zehtab with William Ratlieff


David Lubarsky describing the African Safari which he won at last year's Pleasures of the Palate live auction


Guests enjoyed music by Latin Grammy-nominated harpist Roberto Perera


 

Diabetes Research Institute Foundation
200 S. Park Road, Suite 100
Hollywood, FL 33021
[P]   (954) 964-4040
[TF] (800) 321-3437
[F]   (954) 964-7036

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