UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation "Taste for a Cure" Honors NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke

LOS ANGELES, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation (JCCF) at UCLA hosts its 17th annual signature fundraiser, Taste for a Cure, April 20, 2012 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel honoring NBC Entertainment President, Jennifer Salke, with the Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award.  Jon Holman, Larry Maguire, Gary Newman, Jay Sures and Dana Walden co-chair and the evening features special performances by Emmy and Golden Globe nominated singer/actor Lea Michele and singer/actor Darren Criss, best known for their roles on the award-winning television show Glee.

This year, the bold flavors of 15 prestigious family-owned Napa Valley wineries will be highlighted.  Wine sponsors include long-time event supporters Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel and Dolce wineries.   Additional participating wineries include:  Barnett Vineyards, Chappellet Winery, Continuum Estate, Frog's Leap Winery, Grgich Hills Estate, Lail Vineyards, Oakville Ranch Vineyards, Onda D'Oro Winery, Pride Mountain Vineyards, Shafer Vineyards, Silver Oak Cellars, Swanson Vineyards and Twomey Cellars. 

Distinguished California chefs will delight guests with their gourmet signature dishes including chef/owner Cindy Pawlcyn of Napa Valley's Mustards Grill, Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen and Brassica Restaurants; Ludo Lefebvre of LudoBites; Suzanne Tracht of Jar; and Gilles Arzur of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. 

Honoree Jennifer Salke, President of NBC Entertainment, is responsible for NBC's primetime and daytime programming, which includes all drama and comedy development, current programming, and casting for the network.  Prior to joining NBC Entertainment, Salke served as Executive Vice President of Creative Affairs at Twentieth Century Fox Television.  During her tenure with Twentieth Century Fox, the studio enjoyed an incredible run highlighted by her development and championing of the hit series "Glee" and "Modern Family."

The JCCF, founded in 1945, is the single most important vehicle for raising private funds for cancer research at UCLA. UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) is ranked among the nation's top 10 cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report.  The JCCC's dedicated researchers are recognized as international leaders in the discovery of new and better ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer.

For information on the JCCF, visit www.cancer.ucla.edu.   For information regarding Taste for a Cure, visit www.tasteforacure.com.

Contact:
Pam Giangregorio
Katy Sweet & Associates
310-479-2333 / [email protected]

SOURCE The Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation