Over the past eight years, Passions, the annual fundraising gala at the Dr. Peter Centre, has rightfully earned a reputation as one of Vancouver’s top events for lovers of great food and wine, as the city’s top chefs come together to support a worthy cause.

This year, Passions will be bigger and better than ever, with more restaurants (just when you thought they couldn’t squeeze in any more), a cocktail and canapé pairing station, a food cart and a caterer!

Passions – A Benefit for the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation

Date: Sunday, September 11th, 2011

Time: Champagne Reception, 5 pm to 6 pm

Main Event, 6 pm to 9 pm

Where: Dr. Peter Centre

Address: 1110 Comox Street, Vancouver BC

Tickets:  $300 – general admission & champagne reception (only 50 available)

$200 – general admission

Available at www.drpeter.org or by calling 604-331-5086.

24 restaurants will betaking part in this year’s event. Returning restaurants include Cibo, Cin Cin, Chambar, Coast, Crave on Main, Diva at the Met, El Barrio, Fraiche, the Kambolis Group, LeGavroche, La Terrazza, Market at the Shangri La, MIX the Bakery, O’Doul’s, The Observatory, Oru at the Pacific Rim, Provence and Tojo’s. Newcomers to the event include The Apron at the Wall Centre Westin, Ensemble, Hapa Umi, Hawksworth, Maenam and West. To reflect the changing landscape of Vancouver’s culinary scene, a street-side food cart will be greeting guests as they arrive, courtesy of Fresh Local Wild.

The event will once again feature wines courtesy of New Zealand Winegrowers and a new additionthis year will be a cocktail and canapé pairing station courtesy of Kale & Nori and The Keefer Bar.

Another first for thisyear will be a pre-event champagne reception where guests can sip bubbly asthey preview auction items, mix and mingle with event hosts and Dr. Peter’s friends and family, and enjoy scrumptious canapés from The Lazy Gourmet. Only 50 tickets will be available for the reception.

This year’s event will be hosted by Global TV’s Sophie Lui and Jay Janower, and CBC Radio’s fabulous Fred Lee will return as auctioneer. Music for the evening will be provided by Sangre Moreno and Passions’ guests will once again be wowed by the high-flying acrobatics of Circus Aerials.