Food Network Hosts Online Charity Auction

Benefitting America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Food Bank Network, Beginning Sunday, February 13th on eBay

Auction Items From 'Iron Chef America' Include Mario Batali's Trademark Clogs, Meet & Greets with Celebrity Chefs and Dinners at Their Restaurants, Autographed Cookbooks and more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Food lovers and philanthropists looking for the perfect Valentine's Day gift may want to check out the online charity auction hosted by Food Network, beginning February 13th at 8 PM ET on eBay, The World's Online Marketplace®.

Proceeds from the auction, which runs until February 23rd, benefit America's Second Harvest -The Nation's Food Bank Network. The auction will feature original items from the popular new Food Network series, Iron Chef America (airs Sunday nights at 9PM ET/PT) including:

Iron Chef Mario Batali's trademark orange chef's clogs - Autographed and framed.
Priceless Iron Chef Mario Batali package - includes dinner for two at one of Batali's select restaurants. Food Network will fly the auction winner and one guest to New York City, providing roundtrip airport transportation and a two-night stay at a selected W Hotel. Guests will then travel to the restaurant and meet celebrity Chef Mario Batali.
Priceless Iron Chef Bobby Flay package - includes dinner for two at one of Flay's select New York City restaurants. Food Network will fly the auction winner and one guest to New York City, providing roundtrip airport transportation and a two night stay at a select W Hotel. Guests will then travel to the restaurant and meet celebrity Chef Bobby Flay.
Iron Chef America - Chairman's Helm - Authentic Frank Gehry Wiggle Side Chair
The actual chair seen in each episode of 'Iron Chef America, auctioned in "as is" condition. The chair is an authentic "wiggle side chair" designed by celebrated architect Frank Gehry. Created by Gehry in 1972 as part of the 'easy edges' series; it is constructed of layered, corrugated cardboard.
Autographed set of cookbooks - includes Bobby Flay's Boy Meets Grill and Boy Gets Grill; Mario Batali's Babbo Cookbook; and Iron Chef America host Alton Brown's Gear For Your Kitchen and I'm Just Here For More Food.
Autographed Iron Chef America Poster
Original Iron Chef America Scripts
Authentic Iron Chef America chefs' coats and aprons
Framed Iron Chef: Battle of the Masters CD Set

Based on the Japanese cult classic (originally produced by Fuji Television) that launched on Food Network four years ago, Iron Chef America, which premiered January 16, 2005, pits some of America's favorite chefs against the inspired food wizardry of American Iron Chefs Bobby Flay, Mario Batali, Masaharu Morimoto and the first female Iron Chef, Cat Cora. Chef Alton Brown (Good Eats) reprises his role as the resident food historian, scientist and commentator while Kevin Brauch (Fine Living's Thirsty Traveler) keeps the play-by-play action going, reporting from the floor of Kitchen Stadium.

America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Food Bank Network is the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a national Network of more than 200 regional Member food banks and food-rescue programs, serving all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The Network secures and distributes nearly two billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually. The America's Second Harvest Network supports approximately 50,000 feeding agencies nationwide, including food pantries, soup kitchens, women's shelters, and Kids Cafes. These local organizations provide emergency food assistance to 23 million hungry Americans, including more than nine million children and nearly three million seniors each year. For more information on America's Second Harvest, visit www.secondharvest.org.

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Press Contacts:
Carrie Welch, Food Network, (212) 401-2420, cwelch@foodnetwork.com
Kelli Stich Mills, FerenComm, (212) 983-9898,
kellis@ferencomm.com
Ross Fraser, America's Second Harvest, (312) 263-2303,
rfraser@secondharvest.org