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Gingerbread City 2009 - The Greatest Stories Ever ToldHonorary Chair: Andrew S. Clark, Bridgepoint Education |
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Bridgepoint Education spices up Gingerbread City Gala
Epilepsy Foundation gala a success with structures more spectacular than ever
(SAN DIEGO) – Thanks in part to title sponsor Bridgepoint Education, the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County’s “Gingerbread City” gala was a huge success raising over $200,000 for epilepsy programs and services in San Diego County. Chairman Sally B. Thornton and Honorary Chair Andrew S. Clark, CEO and Founder of Bridgepoint Education were wowed by the spectacular structures this year that took hundreds of hours to build. The elegant and festive Gingerbread City 2009 on December 1st at The Grand Del Mar featured the largest and most impressive gingerbread structures to ever enter the competition, which helped fuel the excitement of the evening.
This year’s competition theme was “The Greatest Stories Ever Told.” Gingerbread creations were based on the favorite stories of the artists, including Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and Aladdin.
Gingerbread structures were judged prior to the gala, and winners announced at the Gingerbread City Gala. Judges included Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino Executive Chef Vincent Pilon, Robert Pincus, Art Editor, San Diego Union Tribune, Chef Larry Banares, Host, WorldTalkRadio and KGTV Channel 10; and Richard Kauffmann, Executive Pastry Chef of the French Gourmet.
The winning entry, Maria and Michael Webster’s “Cinderella,” truly brought the storybook tale to life with detailed figures made entirely of edible materials including the Prince, Cinderella, and even the horse drawn carriage.
Guests enjoyed holiday music, award-winning champagne and wine from Thornton Winery, desserts, auctions, and gorgeous displays of gingerbread art and savory delicacies prepared by top San Diego chefs including Addison Restaurant at the Grand Del Mar, Barona Resort and Casino, La Bastide Bistro, Bertrand at Mister A’s, Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, Café Champagne at the Thornton Winery, The Grand Del Mar, Opera Café and Patiesserie, The Red Door Restaurant, Roppongi Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Roseville, Savory, and the Steakhouse at Azul. Guests were treated to Gingerbread cookies by Twiggs Bakery.
All proceeds benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County, helping to fund free services to more than 50,000 people with epilepsy. This year’s event raised over $200,000 in support of programs and services in 2010.
Epilepsy (recurring seizures) is a common neurological disorder that affects more than 5 million people in the United States. Temporary electrical changes in the brain result in seizures, ranging from momentary staring spells to life-threatening convulsions. In 70 percent of all epilepsy cases, the cause is unknown; some of the leading identifiable causes are head trauma resulting from automobile accidents, gunshot wounds, and sports accidents; brain tumor and stroke; poisoning such as lead or alcohol; viral infection in childhood; maternal injury; and genetic conditions. More than one million Americans continue to have seizures, even with treatment.
Gingerbread City 2009 is sponsored in part by Title Sponsor Bridgepoint Education, Platinum Sponsors Pfizer, Inc. and Supervisor Pam Slater-Price and the County Board of Supervisors, The John M. and Sally B. Thornton Foundation, The Grand Del Mar, Barney and Barney, The Connolly Family/Goodrich, Cox, Jeanne Jones, the Koenig Foundation, Qualcomm, The Scarano Family, UCB, Inc, and more.
For more information please call (619) 296-0161 or visit www.epilepsysandiego.org.
Additional photos available upon request.
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