Contact: James Monahan
Deussen Global Communications
212.682.2293 x 117
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MICHELIN-STARRED CHEFS CREATE CULINARY FEAST
FOR ADOPT-A-MINEFIELD®’S INAUGURAL NIGHT OF A THOUSAND DINNERS® NEW YORK CITY EVENT TO BE HELD AT THE UNITED NATIONS ON APRIL 4TH

Celebration will honor Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the United Nations
Plus food and wine themed Silent and Online Auctions

March 1, 2006 (NEW YORK, NY) -- The United Nations Association of the USA’s Adopt-A-Minefield® Campaign will host its inaugural New York City benefit on April 4, 2006 at the United Nations, honoring U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. This year’s event marks the culmination of Adopt-A-Minefield’s Night of a Thousand Dinners® month-long initiative.

About Adopt-A-Minefield
Adopt-A-Minefield® is a campaign of the United Nations Association of the USA, which engages individuals, community groups, and businesses in the United Nations effort to resolve the global landmine crisis. Along with Goodwill Ambassadors Paul and Heather McCartney, this Campaign helps save lives by raising funds for mine clearance and survivor assistance and by raising awareness about the landmine problem.

About NIGHT OF A THOUSAND DINNERS
Adopt-A-Minefield’s® Night of a Thousand Dinners® initiative began as an opportunity to come together on a single night, enjoy a meal and help make a difference in the global landmine crisis. Since its inception in 2001, it has evolved to include any kind of social, food-related gathering – be it a cocktail party, barbeque, wine tasting, tea party, luncheon or clambake taking place between March 1, which commemorates the enforcement of the Mine Ban Treaty and April 4th, recently recognized by the United Nations as International Day for Mine Awareness.

During this time period, individuals and groups are encouraged to host dinners that raise funds and broaden awareness about the devastating impact of landmines and the need to assist survivors and their communities. Guests bring a monetary donation in lieu of a host(ess) gift, which is donated to the cause. To date, over four million dollars have been raised and dinners have taken place in more than 50 countries around the world. Full information on how to host a dinner -- including recipes, an invitation toolkit and facts about the global landmine crisis can be found at www.1000dinners.com.

About United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, whose tenure ends December 2006, has been one of landmine removal’s biggest champions, providing leadership as the UN stigmatized the use of landmines through the Mine Ban Treaty and developed mine action into an essential tool in rebuilding war-torn communities. "No part of the United Nations’ work... is more important than our work to help people reclaim their lives by clearing minefields and returning land to productive use. UNA-USA has found a brilliantly imaginative way to help this work, through its Adopt-A-Minefield Campaign" he said.

About the April 4th Benefit Dinner
On Tuesday, April 4th some of the country’s top chefs will donate their time and talent to create a unique culinary experience at the U.N. Delegate’s Dining Room.
The dinner will feature dishes created by:

• Wayne Nish (March)
• Cyril Renaud (Fleur de Sel)
• Anita Lo (Annisa)
• François Payard (Payard)

The evening will begin at 6pm with cocktails and hors d’oeuvers along with a silent food & wine-themed auction officiated by leading auction house Charity Folks. Among those items up for bid are a luxury cruise aboard SeaDream Yacht Club (rated #1 for best food among all cruise lines) and dinner for two at DB Bistro Moderne plus an autographed copy of Daniel Boulud’s “Cooking in NYC” cookbook.

An online auction featuring other unique food & wine themed items will be held in conjunction with this month-long campaign (March 1-April 18th) at www.charityfolks.com Highlights include: a “Chef for a Day” experience at the acclaimed restaurant Chez Panisse with Alice Waters plus a trip for 10 to Aspen for a private day of cooking lessons with a celebrity chef at the Aspen Cooking School.

For information on purchasing 2006 Night of a Thousand Dinners NYC Benefit tickets please call 212-907-1391.