Gala: Zonta’s first ‘Glass Slipper’ ball raises funds for violence victims

Photo by submitted

The Zonta Club's first Glass Slipper Ball featured ice sculptures like this and similarly sophisticated food.

The Zonta Club of Bonita Springs held its first Glass Slipper Ball, featuring the “Best of the Chefs” at the Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point on Nov. 20.

More than 18 chefs from leading area restaurants created fabulous hors d’oeuvres and unique desserts for 350 guests to raise funds for the victims of domestic violence.

Awards came from happy food samplers as follows:

* “People’s Choice Awards,” Survey Cafe

* Best appetizer, Mikkelsen’s Pastry Shop

* Best dessert and best overall, M Waterfront Grille

Arden McCurdy, local leader of a number of nonprofits and foundations, was named the Club’s 2009 Woman of the Year.

Event proceeds will go to support educational services and outreach to local and global victims of domestic violence. The evening host was NBC-2 news anchor Heather Turco, who welcomed Ben Nelson, mayor of Bonita Springs, to read a proclamation announcing “16 Days Of Activism Against Gender Violence” — Nov. 25 to Dec.10.

As a member of Zonta International, the club joins a network of more than 33,000 professional women around the world working to raise awareness to combat acts of violence against women and their families. Members have asked people to show support by wearing the color purple during this time of focus.