Saturday January 23, 2010 was a brisk night in New York and Match® had the honor of being one of a select few sponsors at Mercy for Animals Compassion Gala at The Prince George Ballroom.

Representing Match® were New York City’s Culinary Liasons Jerry D. Danielle and David C. O’Brien.
Seen below with Jerry was one of a few special guests, Jane Valez-Mitchell, host of HLN’s, “Issues with Jane Valez-Mitchell,” and past reporter for CNN and other national cable television programs. Comedian, noted actor and MC for the Gala, Hal Sparks, is shown here with David C. O’Brien.

Also spotted was special guest Victoria Moran: notable bestselling author of “Creating a Charmed Life” and a notable guest on such shows as Oprah, Good Morning America and NPR’s All Things Considered. With her is one of America’s most successful living artists, Peter Max.

While guests mingled, sipped wine and chatted about their amazing cause in the art gallery, they also enjoyed Match® vegan hors d’oeuvre’s and later enjoyed a wonderful plated dinner in the enchanting ballroom.

In the kitchen, Chef Alfonso of Natural Delights Vegetarian Catering, oversaw it all and his fabulous dishes just kept on coming. The guests and volunteers were very pleased. All the staff tasted everything made with Match® and loved it too.

Alfonso, an articulate, educated and hardworking chef had with him: friends, his wife as well as his mother, from whom he first learned to cook in Bolivia. The chef was creating delicious food from Match®’s ground vegan chicken, beef, Italian sausage, pork and crab.

Our thanks to Mercy For Animals: Nathan Runkle, Executive Director, Matt Rice, MFA’s New York Campaign Coordinator, Corey Roscoe, Ohio Campaign Coordinator and all of the other volunteers through whose tireless efforts made this extraordinary eye opening event a success.