Top Chef Master Suvir Saran Comes to Silicon Valley April 28-29 to Support Dining Out For Life Fundraiser

CAMPBELL, Calif., April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- New York superstar chef Suvir Saran – a favored contender on the Bravo TV series Top Chef Masters -- will be in Silicon Valley at the end of April to encourage the community to support Dining Out For Life, the annual event involving dozens of local restaurants to raise money to help people living with HIV/AIDS.

Chef Suvir will make surprise visits to some of the participating restaurants in the region on Dining Out For Life Day on Thursday, April 28, as well as take part in other community activities on Friday, April 29.  

Dining Out For Life in Silicon Valley is part of a national campaign to call attention to the fight against HIV/AIDS.  Proceeds from the local event go to support The Health Trust AIDS Services that helps more than 800 individuals with AIDS in Santa Clara County. The program provides non-medical case management, food baskets, hot meal delivery, housing and benefits assistance and other support services.

On April 28, 40 restaurants in 12 Silicon Valley cities will donate at least 25 percent of their food sales that day to The Health Trust AIDS Services.  Some restaurants will include lunch and breakfast sales as well as dinner.  Complete details can be found on the website healthtrust.org/diningoutforlife.

"It is so important for people with a chronic disease like those living with HIV/AIDS to pay attention to nutrition and eat well," said Chef Suvir.  "I have met and cooked for many people living with HIV/AIDS and have seen how much comfort and hope they receive from delicious, healthy meals prepared with love."

In a recent interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Chef Suvir said: "I find no place in my life and in this world for lethargy when dealing with any disease that can kill and affect millions. HIV/AIDS has changed the face of our world. It has taken away from us lives that were full of spirit, hope, future and promise without much done to prevent that loss."

"We are honored to have Chef Suvir join Dining Out For Life in Silicon Valley," said Frederick J. Ferrer, CEO of The Health Trust.  "His participation helps to bring a spotlight to an epidemic that remains a serious health issue. AIDS is killing thousands throughout the world, and every year too many local residents discover they are HIV positive. The need for support services to those living with HIV/AIDS is not going away. "

Chef Suvir is the Executive Chef of Devi in New York, the only Indian restaurant in the U.S. to have earned a Michelin star. He is the author of three cookbooks – Indian Home Cooking, American Masala, and Masala Farm that includes seasonal recipes that reflect the food items grown on his 68-acre farm in upstate New York.

On Friday, April 29, Chef Suvir will present a talk and demonstration about healthy cooking at The Health Trust Food Basket in San Jose, beginning at 12:30 p.m.  He will be joined by veteran San Francisco chef and cookbook author Joyce Goldstein who was an early pioneer in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  Advance reservations are required by emailing Jon Breen at [email protected].

Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. Chef Suvir will appear at the India Community in Milpitas in conversation with Carolyn Jung, James Beard Award winning food writer and author of the popular foodgal.com blog. The program includes a special book signing and signature hors d'oeuvres prepared by chef Vittal Shetty from Amber Cafe from recipes inspired by chef Suvir Saran.  Tickets are $55 for the public with proceeds going to The Health Trust AIDS Services program and the India Community Center. Tickets can be purchased online at www.indiacc.org/SuvirSaran.

Additionally, Chef Suvir is donating four dinners for two at his New York City restaurant Devi and has offered his time to cook a meal for eight at a private home in the Bay Area.  These generous gifts will be auctioned online The Health Trust's website www.healthtrust.org to the highest bidders as of 12 midnight on May 5.

SOURCE The Health Trust