PHOTO GALLERY: Cuisine for the cause at 2010 Glass Slipper Ball

A "glass carriage" became the spot for couples to pose inside during this year's Glass Slipper Ball, held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. Crae Clements

Masked and costumed volunteers Ginger Shoup, left, and Nicole Forbis fluttered in to the Glass Slipper Ball promote the Feb. 26, 2011 Zonta Club of Bonita Springs Mardi Gras golf tourney dedicated to health care initiatives to be played at Spanish Wells Country Club. Crae Clements

Y'Vonne Murray, president of Zonta Club of Bonita Springs, left, spends a moment during the Glass Slipper Ball with its Woman of the Year, Jane Wheatley. Crae Clements

NAPLES — Designed after a Zontian char­ity fundraiser that debuted in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 2004, the pro­duction on Nov. 19 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, was all about good eating.

The multifaceted Glass Slip­per Ball included silent and live auctions, mystery gift bags and dancing to the music of the Naples-based Brett Fore­man Band. But its 240 attendees immediately zeroed in on the plethora of amazing appetiz­ers and delectable desserts displayed at stations scattered about the hotel’s outdoor Court­yard, foyer and ballroom.

First, many sped outdoors for photo ops where a “pump­kin” carriage à la Cinderella and fashioned of colored lights strung on a metal framework served as either a backdrop or a chance to sit inside the large veggie itself.

Providing a conundrum for guests were both dessert and hors d’oeuvres stations with chefs at the ready flanking the carriage and also a bar in close proximity. For many, the foods took precedence over drinks, because only cash bars with el­evated pricing were available.

Billed as featuring “The Best of the Chefs,” as indeed it did, nearly 20 area eateries and food purveyors were recruited to serve up their signature cre­ations. Since grazing from sta­tion to station was encouraged, some cleaned their small plates on the spot while others sat down at strategically placed tables to savor the flavors more slowly. And with attention fo­cused on food, no one was watching those, like kiddies, who concentrated on sweets rather than savories. Intermit­tent dancing helped to renew appetites along the way.

Winner by popular vote was the Capital Grille, executive Chef Jeremy Houston. Its menu: Kona crusted filet mignon with caramelized shallot butter and lobster mac ‘n cheese.

Dessert winners were ex­ecutive chef and owners Paw and Elizabeth Mikkelsen of Mikkelsen’s Pastry Shop, who served up an assortment of gourmet mini-pastries.

Emcee Haley Webb, NBC-2 meteorlogist, recognized digni­taries and prior year honorees and introduced Zonta of Bonita Springs 2010-2011 Woman of the Year Jane Wheatley. Wheatley has dedicated the past decade to alleviating hunger in the Bo­nita Springs area through her work with the Café of Life.

Largest live auction bids made among the eleven proffered packages were for an “Escape to Ireland”; “The Wine, Wonder and Fashions of France”; a four­star Isle of Capri experience; and an African photo safari.

Event proceeds included in­come from winning bids on silent and live auction items and from admission tickets at $125 per person. However, the organization said it will not provide a total for the event, according to Zonta Club of Bo­nita Springs president Y’Vonne Murray. The totals will benefit the Shelter for Abused Wom­en & Children of Naples and Abuse Counseling & Treatment (ACT) of Fort Myers programs through funding local grants to combat all forms of violence against women.

Dawn Rocco-Babon and Gin­ny Nobbe were organizers, and gold sponsor was Comcast.