FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Melanie Young, Awards Director, 212-620-7027 ext. 303
Jeanne Wilensky, Foundation Public Relations Director 718-435-5569

September 8, 2000- Four of London's leading chefs will team up for the first time in New York to cook at the James Beard Foundation's 14th Annual Holiday Auction and Dinner Sunday, November 12, at The Essex House Hotel in New York City. The auction is the Foundation's largest annual benefit and will raise funds for culinary scholarships and maintenance of the historic James Beard House in Greenwich Village. Admission is $300 for the public and $250 for Foundation members. For reservations, call 212-627-2308.

The London chefs will be flown to New York courtesy of British Airways. They include: Pascal Aussignac, Club Gascon; Michel Bourdin, The Connaught Restaurant and Grill Room; Sally Clarke, Clarke's; and Richard Corrigan, Lindsay House. They will be joined by Daniel Orr of New York City's Guastavino's, which is owned by British restaurateur, Sir Terence Conran. Kobrand Corporation will donate wines. Additional sponsorship has been provided by premier cookware manufacturer, All-Clad Metalcrafters and Vacheron Constantin, one of the world's most prestigious Swiss watchmakers.

"This year's auction will have two 'firsts' for The James Beard Foundation. In our 13 year history, we have never showcased a team of British chefs, and only a few British chefs have ever cooked at The James Beard House," said Foundation president, Len Pickell. "London has emerged as one of the world's most dynamic restaurant cities, and we are very excited to have such a celebrated group of chefs coming to cook at this important fund-raiser for The Foundation.

"Another new development is our on-line auction hosted by Starchefs.com," said Mr. Pickell. "We hope, through this web partnership, to increase our auction revenues and to enable people unable to attend our November event to try their luck bidding on lots. Starchefs.com is committed to serving the food and beverage industry, and we hope this will be the start of a new era of fund-raising activities for the Foundation."

This Foundation's first on-line auction, hosted by www.starchefs.com, will feature approximately 12-15 separate lots. In addition, Starchefs.com will provide advance information on the event's guest chefs, the evening's menu and details on select live auction lots

The evening's Master of Ceremonies will be James Beard Award winning radio host, Peter Elliot, of Bloomberg Radio's "Executive Dining Guide," which is broadcast in New York and London. Auctioneer George McNeely of Christie's will sell more than 25 live auction lots, from luxury travel to one-and-only dinners and special events catered by celebrated chefs. The reception will include dozens of silent auction items, from fine wines to luxury goods to restaurant meals and fine foods.

The London theme has been carried through to the Foundation's annual auction raffle. The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, located just steps from London's best shopping and dining attractions, has donated six nights in a luxury junior suite with lunch at Foliage and access to the hotel's acclaimed spa. Raffle tickets, which can be purchased through The James Beard Foundation, are $100. The drawing will take place at the auction November 12. Winner(s) need not be present.

The James Beard Foundation, with more than 4,500 members nationwide, is dedicated to furthering the practice and appreciation of the culinary arts. The James Beard House, located at 167 West 12th Street in New York, is an historic landmark, which serves as a culinary performance space for chefs from around the world. The Foundation supports the industry through educational events, culinary scholarships and the annual James Beard Foundation Awards. For membership and event information, call 1-800-36-BEARD or 212-627-0418, or log onto www.jamesbeard.org.