Boca Bacchanal Uncorks 2005 Winefest & Auction

Peter Page, BRHS President, welcoming attendees

Boca Raton, FL -- The Boca Raton Historical Society officially toasted the kick-off of its third annual Boca Bacchanal fundraiser with a festive party hosted by the Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton Magazine and National Distributing Company. The food and wine tasting event featured Executive Chef James Reaux, who presented a lavish display of artisianal cheeses as well as other specialties, accompanied with wines selected specifically to complement the food. Chris Kearney, Vice president of National Distributing Company, personally selected all of the wines.

Boca Bacchanal, a winefest and auction planned for March 18-19, 2005, will center on an exceptional auction with wines sourced worldwide. Last year’s winefest attracted more than 1,800 guests over the weekend to the festivities.

The winefest activities begin Friday evening, March 18, 2005, with an assortment of superb winemaker dinners, with world-class vintners and celebrated chefs, set in magnificent historic residences and grand estates in the Boca Raton area. On Saturday, March 19, scores of top vintners and restaurateurs will present a Grand Tasting by-the-bite luncheon outdoors at the Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park. A Grand Finale Dinner & Auction will take place that evening at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, which will again showcase the chefs’ talents and vintner’s wine, and will showcase the exciting live auction.

Chef James Reaux, Peter Page and Kathryn Gillespie

The Historical Society will also present its first Boca Bacchanal Awards of Excellence to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the enjoyment of food and wine. This years recipients are celebrated Italian cookbook author, teacher and culinary consultant Marcella Hazan and legendary vintner Warren Winiarski, of the famed Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa Valley.

The proceeds of Boca Bacchanal 2005 will benefit the Heritage Education Programs of the Boca Raton Historical Society, the George Snow Scholarship Fund, which provides needs-based college scholarships to young people in Boca Raton, and The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce's "Golden Bell" Education Foundation, which provides assistance to local schools in grades K thru 12th.

Tricia Summersfield, Robin Deyo and Emily Mcmullin

Boca Bacchanal corporate and private sponsors include National Distributing Company, The Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton Magazine, J.M. Family Enterprises, Publix Super Markets Charities, The Wine News, Un Po Pazzo, Inc., Cendyn and Carla Marsh Public Relations. For information and to register for Boca Bacchanal or next scheduled pre-event, the public is invited to call (561) 395-6766, or to visit the website at www.bocabacchanal.com. A credit card or personal check is necessary to reserve space.

Kathryn Gillespie and Peter Page with Saby Diaz of National Ditributing Company	Chris Wright, Evan Newberry and Jonathan Bleiberg of National Distributing Company