Photos for Philanthropy Garnering High Bids for Celebrity Chef Creations - Four Days Left to Bid

NORWALK, Conn., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At 11:00 pm on Sunday, February 24th the online art auction Photography for Philanthropy: An Art Auction to Benefit City Harvest will close. Don't miss the final opportunity to bid on a one of a kind framed photograph of exquisite culinary dishes from a prestigious group of chefs including: Lidia Bastianich, Daniel Boulud, Tom Colicchio, Larry Forgione, Johnny Iuzzini, Jean - Georges Vongerichten, Francois Payard, Eric Ripert and Laurent Tourondel.

The photographs were taken by famed photographer Diana DeLucia, publisher of New York Restaurant Insider. The opening bids begin at $250, with a second option to buy outright for $600. To bid on the artwork and to learn more about the collection, visit www.internationalrestaurantny.com/photoauction. Proceeds from the art auction will benefit City Harvest, a food rescue organization dedicated to feeding New York City's hungry men, women, and children.

The 27"x 33" photographs are framed with high quality painted black frames from Italy. The photographs have been framed by preservation experts to help protect the image from long term degradation. The acid free matting is personally autographed by each chef, making this limited edition series authentic and original.

The entire collection will be on display at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York from March 9-11, 2008 and a check from the auction proceeds will be presented to City Harvest.

ABOUT THE CHEFS: Lidia Bastianich is a best-selling cookbook author, restaurateur, and the star of a national cooking show on public television. Daniel Boulud is The Chef/Owner of five award winning restaurants. Tom Colicchio is the Chef/Owner of Craft Restaurants & 'wichcraft, and a judge for the reality series "Top Chef." Larry Forgione's owns An American Place which exclusively features American grown products. Johnny Iuzzini is the Executive Pastry Chef of Restaurant Jean Georges. Francois Payard delights guests at Restaurant Daniel with his chocolate and seasonal fruit menus. Eric Ripert is chef for Le Bernardin and has firmly established himself as one the world's great chefs. Laurent Tourondel is the Executive Chef/Partner of BLT Restaurants. Jean-Georges Vongerichten is internationally acclaimed for such successful restaurants as Vong, Jean Georges, The Mercer Kitchen and Prime.

ABOUT THE SPONSORS

The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, (March 9-11, 2008 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York) is the premiere foodservice event in the Northeast. For information, visit www.internationalrestaurantny.com. New York Restaurant Insider Magazine, a monthly culinary magazine that presents its readers with in-depth looks at New York's best known chefs and restaurateurs. Visit www.nyrestaurantinsider.com.