FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
James Beard Foundation Contacts:
Melanie Young, Auction Director 212.620.7027 ext. 303
Jeanne Wilensky, Public Relations Director 718.435.5569

Orient-Express Hotels Contact:
Patricia Harper, Director, Public Relations, North America 212.302.5055

New York - August 27 - Exotic destinations, glamorous hotels, legendary trains and prize-winning cuisine will be on the menu and on sale at The James Beard Foundation's Twelfth Annual Holiday Auction and Dinner Sunday, November 8, at The Essex House in New York City. Chefs from six world-class Orient-Express Hotels, trains and cruises will prepare the dinner, and guests will be able to bid on several Orient-Express Hotels destinations during the auction.

The auction is the Foundation's largest benefit to raise funds for the annual operating costs of the historic James Beard House, a culinary landmark that hosts more than 20 events each month and showcases hundreds of chefs, authors and winemakers each year. More than 30 live auction lots, from exotic travel to one-of-a-kind dinners prepared by James Beard Award-winning chefs will be up for bidding, along with 100 silent auction items. Television personality, Mark McEwen, host of "CBS This Morning", will serve as master of ceremonies. All-Clad Metalcrafters, the cookware manufacturer, and Orient-Express Hotels are co-sponsors of the evening.

"The James Beard Foundation is honored to have such a distinguished team of Orient-Express Hotels chefs for this dinner," said Len Pickell, president of The James Beard Foundation. "Not only will our guests enjoy a fabulous meal, but they can bid on stays at Orient-Express Hotels properties in Portugal, Brazil and North America. Orient-Express has also donated passage for two aboard The Eastern & Oriental Express luxury train from Singapore to Bangkok and a three-night cruise on the Road to Mandalay in Myanmar (Burma) for our grand prize raffle, which should be a very hot package at only $100 per ticket."

Dean Andrews, president of Orient-Express Hotels in North America, will serve as dinner chairman. The menu will be overseen by Executive Chef Erik Blauberg of New York's "21". Guest chefs will include: Thierry Alix, The Restaurant at La Samanna Hotel, St. Martin, French West Indies; Rene Bajeux, The Grill Room at The Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans; Bob Waggoner, Charleston Grill at Charleston Place Hotel, Charleston, S.C.; Renato Piccolotto, Cipriani at the Hotel Cipriani, Venice, Italy, and Christian Bodiguel of the The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

A champagne reception and silent auction will start at 4:30 p.m. The live auction will begin at 6 p.m. Dinner will follow the live auction. Admission is $300 per person ($250 for Foundation members). Grand prize raffle tickets are $100; the winner need not be present at the drawing on November 8. For reservations and to purchase raffle tickets, call The James Beard House: 212.627.2308.

Based in London and founded in 1976, Orient-Express Hotels owns and operates leading hotels, trains and cruises around the world. Each Orient-Express Hotels entity, famous in its own right, offers a distinctive style and heritage, and is known for an unparalleled commitment to luxurious accommodation, personalized service and award-winning cuisine.