FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Rational Animal and ASPCA Host 4th Annual Gingerbread Homes for Animals Exhibit

New York, NY – November 14, 2006 – Some of the most original, sugar-coated and delectable gingerbread creations by New York City's preeminent pastry chefs will be on display at the fourth annual Gingerbread Homes for Animals™ hosted by Rational Animal and the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). This year's 10-day annual holiday exhibit of animal-themed gingerbread houses will be on display December 8–17, 10am–7pm daily, in the famous Chelsea Market located at 75 9th Avenue, between 15th and 16th streets.

The event, a family favorite of the holiday season, is the creation of Rational Animal, a non-profit organization committed to increasing public awareness about NYC's at-risk animals. Proceeds raised through a silent auction of the creations will benefit The Picasso Veterinary Fund, dedicated to providing medical care for New York City's homeless animals, and support the work of Rational Animal. Event sponsors include The French Culinary Institute, PastryScoop.com, and HEART (Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers).

Pastry chefs have always been known for creating spectacular desserts, and now they share their artistry in creating spectacular animal-themed gingerbread houses. This year's contributors will include: Brasserie 8 1/2, Cake Man Raven, the Chocolate Moose, Country Restaurant, davidburke & donatella, Dona, Food Cult, The French Culinary Institute, Jumeirah Essex House, Lodge, One Tough Cookie, PastryScoop.com, Patisserie Colson, Peanut Butter & Co., Pieces of Cake, Tompkins Square Bakery, Tumbador Chocolate, and The Water Club.

"We are always excited to see the love the chefs pour into creating these fantasy homes as a tribute to the animals who live in and around us in New York City," says Susan Brandt, Executive Director of Rational Animal.

"The ASPCA is thrilled to lend our support to such a beneficial and entertaining program," adds Ed Sayres, President of the ASPCA. "We applaud the efforts of Rational Animal and their counterparts who are devoted to the lives and welfare of New York's companion animals."

Visit the 2006 Gingerbread Homes for Animals website.

 


Event Hosts

Rational Animal

Founded in Greenwich Village in 2002, Rational Animal is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of artists, musicians, writers, designers and filmmakers dedicated to creating innovative media projects and special events to increase awareness about NYC's at-risk animals. Rational Animal works as the media arm for the Mayor's Alliance for NYC Animals creating TV spots promoting adoption that appear on NY1 and WABC, the orange animal ribbon campaign, a series of NYC shelter maps and special events that include GIMME SHELTER: Rock & Rescue NYC and Gingerbread Homes for Animals™. Rational Animal partners with the ASPCA on several NYC outreach initiatives. www.rational-animal.org

ASPCA

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first humane organization established in the Western Hemisphere and today has one million supporters. The ASPCA's mission is to provide an effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides national leadership in humane education, government affairs and public policy, shelter support, and animal poison control. The NYC headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital, animal behavior center, and adoption facility. The ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series Animal Precinct on Animal Planet. www.aspca.org

Event Sponsors

PastryScoop.com

PastryScoop.com is an online resource designed to inspire and educate both pastry professionals and serious amateur bakers. It provides free content on such topics as dessert trends, baking tips, and food events in order to increase overall awareness of the pastry arts and to promote creativity within the field. www.pastryscoop.com

The French Culinary Institute

Founded in 1984, The French Culinary Institute (The FCI) in New York City teaches the culinary protocol, language and techniques upon which all Western cuisine is based. The FCI offers a rigorous six-month program by day or a nine-month program by night for aspiring or working culinary professionals and serious amateurs. The FCI's faculty is headed by an all-star line-up of distinguished Deans all of whom have received top honors in the culinary world including Alain Sailhac, Vice President, Dean Emeritus; Jacques Pépin, Master Chef, Dean of Special Programs; Jacques Torres, Master Chef, Dean of Pastry Arts; André Soltner, Master Chef, Dean of Classic Studies; Cesare Casella, Dean of Italian Studies; Alan Richman, Dean of Food Journalism; and Andrea Robinson, Dean of Wine Studies. In 2006, The FCI received "The Award of Excellence for Vocational Cooking School" by the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP). www.frenchculinary.com

HEART

HEART is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with the mission to inspire and empower educators to implement Humane Education into school curricula and programs. HEART's vision of Humane Education is broad in that it calls us to question and examine our cultural assumptions regarding the inherent value of all species and nature, helps us explore our responsibility towards the earth and other living beings, and enables us to connect our daily choices with their global impact. www.teachhumane.org

Chelsea Market

A one-stop, NYC culinary food shop, a gourmet lover's wholesale-retail wonder world, and an energetic, industrial-chic hotspot, all meshed into an entire city block of space in the heart of West Chelsea. Chelsea Market's 800-footlong concourse opened in April of ‘97, but the million square feet the market occupies has a big history that begins with the birth of the first Oreo Cookie™ and a fitting future as the home of the Food Network, NY1, Sterling Sound, Oxygen Media, and Major League Baseball Productions. www.chelseamarket.com

 


Contact:

Randee Braham, Pass It On Public Relations

rbraham@passitonpr.com

(917) 640-8953

Amy Geduldig, ASPCA

amyg@aspca.org

(212) 876-7700 x4567

 

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