Madhu Patel
CHICAGO: The Indo-American Center  (IAC) celebrated its 28th annual dinner at the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook on September 30 with an inspirational keynote speech from Master Sommelier Alpana Singh who will be returning as host of the Emmy Award-winning restaurant review television show, Check, Please!, on Chicago’s PBS station.
She shared the story of her parents coming to the US and their struggles as immigrants and her career path, as she broke the glass ceiling as one of the youngest sommeliers at age 26.
About 300 guests were in attendance, including US Senator Dick Durbin, US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, and State Representative Theresa Mah. ABC7 Chicago news anchor Ravi Baichwal emceed the evening, which included a volunteer award presented to the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago, a live auction and pledge drive hosted by comedian Anish Shah, and dinner from Kama Bistro Restaurant, located in LaGrange.
The event had sponsor donors and corporate sponsors including Wintrust Bank, The Blackstone Group, CNA Insurance, Astellas Pharma, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Merrill Lynch / Fair, Wauters Group, Mimit Health, Northern Trust and Kaczynski & Associates.
Funds generated from the event will support IAC’s Senior Care program as well as other critical needs of the Center. In addition to the Seniors program, IAC’s other programs are adult literacy, workforce development, immigration and citizenship and civic engagement.
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