More than 1,500 palates for perfections filled the M&T Bank-Geppi Entertainment Club level recently for not only lots of sweet treats at the 18th annual Chocolate Affair, but a worthy cause — health care for the homeless. Event chairs Sharon Bunch and Caryn Sagal welcomed all including honorary chairs famed Baltimore jazz singer Maysa Leak, chef Jill Snyder and highly respected community activist and pretty great tight end for the Ravens, Dan Wilcox.
“Great thing about chocolate is you love it when things are going well and crave it when things may not be going well for you” said Stacey James of Annapolis. “Just like booze,” her hubby Vince chimed in. Some other sweeties spotted included Denise Kline, Suzette Liberatore, Lynette Gambino — whose hubby Tony was busy serving up his restaurant Ciao Bella’s specialty pasta to the crowd — and the always gorgeous Heidi Slacum, owner of Fresh Boutique in Green Spring Station, to name a very few.
I was flattered to be among the celeb judges going around to the more than 50 vendors who donated their time and yummiest treats to this evening’s event, which raised over $165,000 to help the most vulnerable.
Drum roll please — the winners of this evenings sweet awards were:
>> Coldstone Creamery for “Chocolate Dream” as the tastiest chocolate treat.
>> Bonefish Grill for “Sweet Relief” as the tastiest non-chocolate treat.
>> Edible Flavors for “Confection Perfection” as the best candy piece of the evening.
>> Kalli’s Mezze for “Delicious Display” as best visual presentation of booth.
>> Hershey Entertainment and Resorts for “Decadent Delight” as best visual of food item.
>> Sascha’s catering for “Loco Cocoa” as the most creative use of chocolate as an ingredient.
>> Testimony Teas for “Sweet Sips” as best beverage of the evening.
>> Sweet Fortunes, the Apprentice Award as best new vendor.
>> Chef’s Expressions, Connoisseur Award as best veteran vendor.
By the way
>> Word on the water is that our merman Michael Phelps has purchased one of the penthouses in the Silo Point Condos in Locust Point.
>> Baltimore just got a bit beefier with the grand-opening VIP party of Sullivan’s Steakhouse last Thursday. There were celebs, politicians, radio and TV people galore, thanks to Maroon Public Relations. Some included newlywed Orioles PR gal Monica Pence-Barlow, Mayor Sheila Dixon, City Council Prez Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, WVIE sports guy Jerry Coleman, former Raven and Cincinnati Bearcat grad Brad Jackson, and Cal Ripken Jr., who was there on behalf of his dad Cal Sr.’s foundation, which was a benefactor of the evening’s festivities. Sullivan’s is not only gorgeous on the inside, but the food and folks who run the place are Grade A.
>> Seems we in Baltimore have our own version of Sarah Jessica Parker of “Sex in the City” fame. But instead of Jess and Sex, it’s Tess and Shoes. Check out barefoottess.com. Better yet, this international ladies’ designer footwear site that caters to those of us with large feet has a little known footprint in Baltimore. According to an inside sole, with BarefootTess they chose Baltimore for their only retail location at 1421 Clarkview Road in Baltimore. In “Tess’s” blog, Charm City is her home base for this big shoe fashionista. Pretty cool!
>> Two rulers up to the 7th grade students of the St. James Academy in Monkton for looking beyond their northern Baltimore County community and going global. As apart of their International Baccalaureate Program, students designed and sold note cards with the proceeds donated to entrepreneurs in Africa and Eastern Europe through Kiva.org, according to Kathi Barber, the communications director for the Academy.
So long, readers
As this is a fond farewell, I would like to thank my readers and the nonprofits I covered for being so supportive. As many of you know, my mother Sylvia Boone-Badger was Baltimore’s first Liz Smith when it came to society news and gossip, first with the Baltimore News American, then with both The Baltimore Evening Sun and Baltimore Sun. The brass at The Examiner gave me this wonderful opportunity to continue my mom’s legacy, and it’s been a terrific ride. Thank you, Baltimore, from the bottom of my heart.
Anne’s top pick
>> What: “Heart & Soul” American Heart Association presents its Heart Ball
>> When: Saturday, from 6.30 p.m. to midnight
>> Where: Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, 202 E. Pratt St., Baltimore
>> Info: 410-637-4523; www.baltimoreheartball.org
Anne Boone-Simanski can be reached at [email protected]
