[February 05, 2013]

Chef Gordon Ramsay to Design Menu for 21st Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party

The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) announced today that award-winning Chef Gordon Ramsay will design the menu for the Foundation's Academy Awards Viewing Party to be held on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at West Hollywood Park. Over the years, the 21^st annual event, sponsored by Chopard, Neuro Drinks, and Wells Fargo (News - Alert), has attracted the participation of top chefs from around the world.

"David and I are so pleased to welcome our friend Chef Gordon Ramsay to EJAF's Academy Awards Viewing Party," said Founder Sir Elton John. "I'm sure our guests will be thrilled by his wonderful cuisine, and we are deeply grateful to him for his generous philanthropic efforts over the years, his commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic, and for supporting our urgent cause with his talent and creativity."

Chef Ramsay trained with some of the world's leading chefs, including Albert Roux and Marco Pierre White in London, and Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon in France. He became chef of Aubergine in London in 1993 and established the three-star Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in 1998 at age 31. Internationally renowned with 11 Michelin stars worldwide, Ramsay has opened a string of successful restaurants across the globe, from Italy to the United States. He is also a well-known television star from such shows as "Gordon Behind Bars," "Ultimate Cookery Course," "Gordon's Great Escapes" and "Gordon Ramsay: Shark Bait" in the U.K. and the FOX series' "Kitchen Nightmares," "Hell's Kitchen," "MasterChef," and "Hotel Hell" that air in more than 200 countries worldwide. He is also a published author of a number of books, many of which have become bestsellers around the world, most notably his autobiography, Roasting in Hell's Kitchen, and was awarded the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006.

The Foundation's Academy Awards Viewing Party is the most highly visible and successful fund-raising event in Hollywood on Oscar night. Over the past 21 years, this annual event has raised nearly $34 million, thanks to the generosity of EJAF's supporters. These funds help the Foundation to support a wide range of initiatives, including direct treatment, care, and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS in marginalized communities, such as among young gay black men; providing injection drug users with clean needles to prevent HIV infection and transmission; and sexual health education for young people in America who are most at risk.

Audi, Grey Goose, and MAC Viva Glam are the evening's Co-Sponsors. The Foundation is especially grateful to the City of West Hollywood for its continued collaboration with EJAF. American Airlines is EJAF's official sponsoring airline.

ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION - Sir Elton John established the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) in 1992. To date, the Foundation has raised more than $275 million in support of projects in 55 countries. EJAF is one of the largest HIV/AIDS grant-making organizations in the world. Charity Navigator has awaded EJAF 4 out of 4 stars - its highest possible rating - seven years in a row. EJAF's grant making embraces grassroots and community-based programs, regional partnerships, national strategies, and international collaborative efforts The Foundation supports a diverse range of initiatives, including HIV prevention programs throughout the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean; HIV prevention and care services for highly marginalized and vulnerable populations; and HIV/AIDS prevention education and the promotion of sexual health for adolescents. For more information, please visit www.ejaf.org.

CHOPARD - Passion for excellence: Louis-Ulysse Chopard founded his own workshop in 1860 in Sonvillier, the Swiss Jura. Since 1963 Chopard is owned by the Scheufele family and its headquarters are located in Geneva. Internationally renowned for its watch and jewelery creations, the Group today employs 1950 people worldwide. It is independent and vertically very integrated, controlling the entire process from design to distribution through 1515 points of sale and 145 dedicated boutiques. Over 30 different crafts are practiced in 4 manufacturing sites with a strong emphasis on in-house training. Chopard has built its reputation on iconic collections such as "Happy Diamonds," "Happy Sport" and "Mille Miglia." The firm is also highly recognized for its High Jewelery creations and fine watchmaking and manufacture expertise, expressed in the L.U.C collection. According to two of its fundamental values, respect and social responsibility, Chopard is strongly committed to various philanthropic organizations. Long-term partnerships tie the company to the WWF, the José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Last but not least, Chopard is a faithful partner of the Cannes International Film Festival and legendary classic car events, such as the Mille Miglia in Italy and the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. For more information, please visit: us.chopard.com

NEURO DRINKS - Founded by Diana Jenkins, Neuro manufactures and markets a line of functional beverages that incorporates the latest in nutrition science and neurocognitive research to enhance your life. Whether you need to optimize your brainpower or focus your willpower, there's a neuro for that. The product line includes neuroSONIC, with a blend of caffeine and L-theanine to increase mental alertness so you can focus; neuroPASSION, with caffeine and L-citrulline to increase your drive to pursue what you love; neuroBLISS, with chamomile blended with L-theanine to reduce stress and keep you calm; neuroSUN, with your daily supply of vitamin D to improve your immunity; neuroTRIM, which includes a satisfying portion of fiber to control your appetite so you eat less; and neuroSLEEP, with melatonin and magnesium to improve your sleep so you can recharge. Each neuro has only 35 calories, contains no artificial flavors or colors, and has a fully recyclable bottle. Neuro is available at retailers nationwide. For more information, please visit www.drinkneuro.com

WELLS FARGO - Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.4 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in more than 35 countries to support the bank's customers who conduct business in the global economy. With more than 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune's 2012 rankings of America's largest corporations. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy all our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. For more information, please visit: www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr

AMERICAN AIRLINES - American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® carrier serve 260 airports in more than 50 countries and territories with, on average, more than 3,300 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members and members-elect serve more than 900 destinations with more than 10,000 daily flights to 149 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR).

American Airlines is the official sponsoring airline of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

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