Chef, partners honored at juvenile diabetes group gala

Chef Wolfgang Puck and his managing partners, Tom Kaplan, David Robins and Joe Essa, were honored by the Nevada Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at its 2011 Hope Gala on May 6 in the Islander Ballroom at Mandalay Bay.

This year's gala focused on savoring the strides the foundation has made in finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Since 1970, the foundation has awarded more than $1.5 billion to diabetes research.

The gala welcomed more than 700 guests including Bonnie and Jose Blasco, Rene and Tony Marlon, Sandee and Jelindo Tiberti, Mikey and Jim Bilbray, Shannon and Danny Axelrod, Flora and Stuart Mason, Melinda and Bob Bown, Joele and Michael Corrigan, Diane Boyle and Rich Worthington.

The evening included a silent auction offering one-of-a-kind items, a savory dining experience, live entertainment and a live auction.

The event's host, entertainer Clint Holmes, introduced Chris Haase, president of the foundation's board of directors, and Ken Henderson, Hope gala chairman and foundation president-elect.

Entertainment was provided by BESTAgency Dancers, the Ristorante Tenors singing Italian love songs and the Miguel Rodriguez Band.

Randy Parnell of Stokes Auction Group conducted a live auction for 15 packages including an Australian Labradoodle puppy that went to a new home for $16,500. A diamond necklace sold for $15,000. Tennis lessons and lunch with Andre Agassi, plus two seats for a Grand Slam event, sold for $12,000. Two player spots in the Charlie Hoffman Pro Am for Sept. 26 at TPC Summerlin raised $4,250.

Travel packages included an overnight trip to Napa, Calif., for six people on a private plane for $11,500; a beachfront suite at the Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico, also sold for $11,500; a stay at the Beach Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas went for $6,500; a romantic getaway for two to Yountville in California's wine country sold for $4,750; and a three-day ski clinic at the Mahre Training Center at the Deer Valley Resort in Utah raised $6,000.

An additional $200,000 was made by guests raising their bid cards at the level they wished to contribute to help find a cure.

Other supporters enjoying the event were Camille and Larry Ruvo, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Donna and Michael Levy, Darlene and Cliff Miller, Stacey and Dan Albregts, Farid Matraki, Jill and Scott Gragson, Maureen and Phil Peckman, Julie Teasley, Brian Peterson, Lisa and Aaron Zastrow, Alica Nave Worth, and Nancy and Mike Corrigan.