Special Guest, Chef Roland Mesnier
ROLAND MESNIER served as Executive Pastry Chef for the White House for 25 years and has created unique and beautiful desserts for five Presidents, their families, and countless heads of state, dignitaries, and celebrity guests. His inspired creations dazzled five Presidents and their families -- Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton, and current President Bush -- as well as the heads of state and other foreign dignitaries who were lucky enough to sample his sweets.

In his latest book Roland Mesnier's Basic to Beautiful Cakes (Simon & Schuster; October 16, 2007; hardcover), Mesnier shows home cooks how to create desserts that can be beautifully embellished to serve any occasion by using a small set of foolproof cake recipes. Hazelnut Ring Cake, for example, can be served on its own at teatime, as it was in the Reagan White House; or, with the addition of espresso-flavored whipped cream and a crown of caramelized phyllo, can become the memorable culmination of an elegant dinner party. Chocolate Dome Cake (one of the Carters' favorites) can be topped with raspberry glaze, served with Grand Marnier mousse, or spangled with berries. Blueberry Upside-Down Cake with yogurt sauce is a light treat for a long weekend morning; the cherry version, with its lattice of whipped cream, will delight children and adults alike, and the truly grand Peach and Spice Upside-Down Cake with Brioche "Peaches" is a show-stopping confection, elegant enough for the Clintons to serve to the chancellor of Germany and the prime minister of England.

InterContinental Mark Hopkins / Top Of The Mark
Executive Chef Christophe Depuichaffray
The legendary Top Of The Mark is a place where many come from near and far to rendezvous, celebrate, and enjoy good times. Located on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel, the world-renowned sky-bar affords a near 360 degree vista of San Francisco including views of the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and Alcatraz. Famed for its 100 Martinis menu, the Top Of The Mark has been rated as one of the 26 "World's Best Hotel Bars" by Forbes.com two years consecutively.

Offering breakfast and lunch Mondays through Saturdays, dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, and brunch on Sundays, the Top Of The Mark is open every evening for cocktails and offers live entertainment most nights.

Farallon
EMILY LUCHETTI, executive pastry chef at Farallon Restaurant in San Francisco, is recognized around the country for her award-winning sweet creations. In 1997 she joined co-owners, Chef Mark Franz (who also worked with her at Stars) and Pat Kuleto, as Executive Pastry Chef at Farallon Restaurant.

Since the debut of her first book in 1991, Emily has passionately taught baking to dessert lovers across the country. She and her recipes appear regularly in national newspapers and magazines. Emily has been featured on numerous news programs and The Food Network's The Ultimate Kitchen, Sweet Dreams, Cookin' Live with Sara Moulton and Sara's Secrets.

Ruth's Chris Steak House
U.S.D.A. prime aged, hand-cut, Midwestern corn-fed beef has earned Ruth's Chris a loyal following and international reputation as "The Home of Serious Steaks." Equally serious about their seafood, Ruth's Chris' menu features live Maine lobster, extraordinary Northwestern salmon, and a mouthwatering array of New Orleans inspired appetizers.

The Bubble Lounge
The Bubble Lounge specializes in Champagnes & Sparkling wines, serving over 300 varieties, a full bar, and fine hors d'oeuvres. Entirely built and operated by owners Eric Benn, Eric Macaire, and managing director Emmanuelle Chiche, The Bubble Lounge has become a favorite mecca for Champagne & Sparkling Wine lovers.

The Bubble Lounge will proudly serve Gardet Champagne at Tour de Champagne.

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For a follow up to a very special evening Cognac Ferrand will pour samples of their finest cognacs while guests enjoy live solo performances by guitarist Dave Mac Nab.

Dave Mac Nab has been performing professionally for over twenty years. He has performed and recorded internationally with artists ranging from Neil Sedaka to the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir. He's also actively involved with some of Broadways biggest touring productions, as well as maintaining a healthy solo career.

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The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a nonprofit donor-supported organization, is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease.

The Foundation is the leading organization in the United States devoted to cystic fibrosis. It funds and accredits more than 115 CF care centers, 95 adult care programs and 50 affiliate programs, and has 80 chapters and branch offices nationwide.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is one of the most efficient organizations of its kind with 90 percent of every dollar of revenue raised being available to fund cystic fibrosis research, care and education programs. In fact, Charity Navigator, the country's largest independent evaluator of charities, has given the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation its coveted four-star rating for sound fiscal management.

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