2007年VOA标准英语-Tasty Charity Gala Raises Money for Poor Childr

By Amra Alirejsovic
Washington
10 May 2007
 

A recent charity event in Washington, D.C. was as tasty as it was philanthropic. The non-profit group Heart of America Foundation sponsored a charity gala (April 16th) that brought together chefs and celebrities¹ to raise money for a good cause. For producer Amra Alirejsovic, VOA's Jim Bertel has all the delicious details.

Sweet chocolate treats were up for bid

It was a chocolate lover's fantasy: cakes, ice cream, and other confections all made from chocolate. The tasty treats were part of the Heart of America Foundation's "Sweet Charity" celebration, a fundraiser marking the group's 10th anniversary. The group raises money to change the lives of children living in poverty. Organizers say chocolate is a metaphor² for the sweetness and potential in every child.

More than 50 pastry³ chefs from some of Washington's top restaurants were on hand to share their delicacies⁴. Theresa Souther is from L'Academie de Cuisine⁵. "It's a way to give back in a unique way. It is great way to meet people. It is a great way to feel that what we are doing is more than just feeding people, but actually helping⁶ to change lives."

Chocolate could be found everywhere, even on the runway. Nisha Sidhu of CoCo created a one-of-a-kind outfit⁷.

"We are calling it a chocolate couture, and almost her entire dress portion is covered with chocolate, so it is extremely heavy. There are about 125 chocolate gems⁸, and it is coated in chocolate to simulate leather. Jewelry⁹ is made entirely¹⁰ out of sugar."

Model Ashley Williams is a chocolate lover and expressed her love for the food. "I personally love food, so wearing it is even more fun. I feel though like I am going to melt."

Many celebrities modeled the gourmet¹¹ garments including professional athletes, local celebrities and professional models.

Money from the event will be used to buy books for libraries, classrooms and children living in poverty in the Washington area.

1 celebrities   

n.（尤指娱乐界的）名人( celebrity的名词复数 )；名流；名声；名誉

参考例句：

• He only invited A-list celebrities to his parties. 他只邀请头等名流参加他的聚会。
• a TV chat show full of B-list celebrities 由众多二流人物参加的电视访谈节目

2 metaphor   

n.隐喻，暗喻

参考例句：

• Using metaphor,we say that computers have senses and a memory.打个比方，我们可以说计算机有感觉和记忆力。
• In poetry the rose is often a metaphor for love.玫瑰在诗中通常作为爱的象征。

3 pastry   

n.油酥面团，酥皮糕点

参考例句：

• The cook pricked a few holes in the pastry.厨师在馅饼上戳了几个洞。
• The pastry crust was always underdone.馅饼的壳皮常常烤得不透。

4 delicacies   

n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到

参考例句：

• Its flesh has exceptional delicacies. 它的肉异常鲜美。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• After these delicacies, the trappers were ready for their feast. 在享用了这些美食之后，狩猎者开始其大餐。 来自英汉非文学 - 民俗

5 cuisine   

n.烹调，烹饪法

参考例句：

• This book is the definitive guide to world cuisine.这本书是世界美食的权威指南。
• This restaurant is renowned for its cuisine.这家餐馆以其精美的饭菜而闻名。

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

7 outfit   

n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装

参考例句：

• Jenney bought a new outfit for her daughter's wedding.珍妮为参加女儿的婚礼买了一套新装。
• His father bought a ski outfit for him on his birthday.他父亲在他生日那天给他买了一套滑雪用具。

8 gems   

growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长

参考例句：

• a crown studded with gems 镶有宝石的皇冠
• The apt citations and poetic gems have adorned his speeches. 贴切的引语和珠玑般的诗句为他的演说词增添文采。

9 jewelry   

n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝

参考例句：

• The burglars walked off with all my jewelry.夜盗偷走了我的全部珠宝。
• Jewelry and lace are mostly feminine belongings.珠宝和花边多数是女性用品。

10 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

11 gourmet   

n.食物品尝家；adj.出于美食家之手的

参考例句：

• What does a gourmet writer do? 美食评论家做什么？
• A gourmet like him always eats in expensive restaurants.像他这样的美食家总是到豪华的餐馆用餐。