FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lawrence Kopp/Laura
Fenton
The T.A.S.C. Group (646) 723-4344
larry@thetascgroup.com, laura@thetascgroup.com
New York, NY (April 29, 2008)- Bpeace (The Business Council for Peace) will honor
author, public television host, chef and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich
with the first ever Economic Impact Award on May 14, 2008 during their third
annual fundraising gala. The event will take place from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at Capitale,
130 Bowery, New York City.
The annual event raises funds to facilitate the
work of Bpeace,
a nonprofit organization devoted to accelerating the growth of female entrepreneurs
in conflict and post-conflict countries, including Afghanistan
and Rwanda.
CNBC’s Margaret
Brennan will emcee the evening, and Nicholas D. Lowry of Swann Auction
Galleries will auction items and experiences provided by Ms.
Bastianich.
"While Lidia is most recognizable as an
Italian food icon, Bpeace is honoring her as an entrepreneurial role model for
all women whose families have suffered through violence in their countries,
been displaced as refugees, and then channeled their courage to start
businesses," said Bpeace chairperson and co-founder Toni Maloney.
"Her accomplishments are a testament that women, such as those in our program,
can build strong businesses that foster peace, prosperity and
stability in their communities."
Tickets for the event start at $500. For more
information about the Bpeace gala, or to purchase tickets, please visit: www.bpeace.org/gala.
About
Lidia Bastianich
Lidia Bastianich immigrated to the United
States in 1958 with her family under the sponsorship of
Catholic Charities after living in
"displaced refugee" status in Trieste,
Italy for two
years. Her first job was at Walken's Bakery in Astoria, working alongside the bakers' son,
who grew up to become the award-winning actor, Christopher Walken. She opened
her first restaurant in Queens,
NY when she was only 24 years
old. Today Ms. Bastianich is a cookbook author, television host, and renowned
chef and restaurateur. Bastianich is the chef/owner of four acclaimed New York restaurants—Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto,
as well as Lidia’s in Pittsburgh and Kansas City. She is also
founder and president of Tavola Productions, an entertainment company that
produces broadcast productions including Lidia’s
Italy. For more information about
Bastianich visit: www.lidiasitaly.com
About Bpeace
The Business Council for Peace (www.bpeace.org) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit
organization, based in New York City with
offices in Kabul, Afghanistan
and Kigali, Rwanda. Established in 2002, Bpeace
is an international network of business professionals who volunteer to help
women in conflict and post-conflict countries build sustainable businesses to
provide for their families and strengthen their abilities to foster peace.
Bpeace has the support of the U.S. Department of State. The Afghan and
Rwandan female
entrepreneurs in its program employ nearly 1,800 people who support
more than 12,000 family members.