The March of Dimes Chicago Chef of the Year Award was created out of a desire to honor Chef Rick Bayless for his achievements, especially as they relate to the March of Dimes and its annual Chicago Signature Chefs Auction. As the inaugural winner of this award, Bayless is being honored for his many efforts including his dedication to the culinary arts, his humanitarian efforts, his dedication to the environment, the farming industry and an eco-friendly lifestyle, and his recent accomplishments in Bravo's Top Chef Masters, which brought nationwide attention to local chefs and to the Chicago restaurant market.

"Chef Bayless is a culinary legend who has used his fame and success to not only bring some great attention to the Chicago Restaurant world, but also to encourage a green and sustainable lifestyle, which is especially important for new and expecting mothers," says Dane Neal, co-host of Restaurant Radio Chicago.

Bayless will be in Mexico on the night of the auction, and has worked with the March of Dimes to create an exclusive video presentation for the award to be shown at the event. In the video, the award is given to Bayless by the Kernans, a family that has been affected by the organization's mission, and who most recently raised the most funds in the history of the state of Illinois ($42,000) as a Family Team for this year's walk, March for Babies.

"In addition, to have this fantastic award with Chef Rick Bayless as its inaugural recipient, and presented at the March of Dimes Signature Chefs event, which is by far the premier food-related charity event in Chicago, immediately makes it one of the most prestigious honors that chefs in this city will be vying for next year," says Neal.

The event is Thursday, October 29, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel, 5 p.m. More than 600 guests will sample the unique dishes of local chefs representing some of the city's most notable restaurants. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.tinytastings.com.