Chef Allen Sternweiler

Chef Allen Sternweiler's special German fare pairs with good will of neighbors, friends, and fine dining enthusiasts in Chicago

CHICAGO -- If it is late September in the Midwest, it is time for a brat, beer, pretzel, some oompah and a gathering of kindred spirits. But let's kick it up a notch! Join the fundraising party and Chef Allen Sternweiler (www.allenscafe.com) at 217 West Huron Avenue in Chicago's gallery district, and lo, an autumn evening Oktoberfest of your dreams! Five-star fare includes roasted duck, weiner schnitzel, German wine and beer, (plus a full bar rated Excellent by Wine Spectator), entertainment, a raffle and a chance to better the world by attending. Hike your fraulein and your leiderhosen on in to the private dining quarters and imbibe on over-the-top Bavarian delicacies. Join us, won't you?

WHO:   Peregrine Charities hosts 1st annual Oktoberfest fundraiser.
       ALL ARE WELCOME. Minimum donations of $50. Tax deductible and
       100% of the proceeds directly benefit programs supported by the
       charity.

WHAT:  Superb Oktoberfest menu (see below), cocktails, music, dancing
       to the Johnny Wagner band, silent auction, raffle, PROBST!

WHERE: Private dining room, Allen's New American Cafe, 217 W. Huron,
       Chicago (between Wells and Franklin streets)

WHEN:  Tues., Wed. and Thurs., September 20, 21 and 22 - begins at
       5 p.m.

Each guest/donor will receive complementary drink tickets, hors d'oeuvres, entree and a side dish, raffle tickets and a chance to bid on the silent auction items, which will simultaneously be generating global bids via e-Bay. All of this while toasting and tasting the delicious regional fare of Bavaria!

Menu options include these entrees:

--Sauerbraten - sweet and sour beef pot roast with red wine

--Nurnberger brat wurstl - small pork sausage links

--Schweine haxen - roast pork shanks (with caraway and beer-bread sauce)

--Wiener schnitzel (Viennese style veal cutlet)

--Goulasch - stew of diced beef, pork shoulder, onions and paprika served over buttered noodles with sour cream

--Jager schnitzel - hunter's style, pork loin cutlet in mushroom sauce

--Kassler ripchen - smoked pork chops simmered in sauerkraut

--Zegeuner schnitzel - gypsy style, pork loin cutlet with sauteed peppers

And these sides:

--Kartoffel knodel - poached potato dumpling

--Blau kraut - braised red cabbage

--Sauer kraut - fermented green cabbage with vinegar

--Spatzle - small dumplings made with a "loose style pasta dough"

--Speck knodel - smoked bacon dumplings

--Kartoffel salat - potato salad served slightly warm

For reservations, more information, or to purchase raffle tickets, log on to www.peregrinecharities.org, send an e-mail to info@peregrinecharities.org or call 312-775-3559.

Peregrine Charities, a private family foundation started by Russell R. Wasendorf, Sr., is a grant-making organization to fund other non-profit programs supporting underserved communities. Most organizations that will receive funding from Peregrine provide financial, emotional or educational assistance to families affected by rare and often fatal pediatric diseases. All of the foundation's operating expenses are underwritten by Peregrine Financial Group, Inc. (PFG), one of the many companies owned and operated by Mr. Wasendorf. For more information, please visit www.peregrinecharities.org.