AROUND TOWN: Glass Slipper Ball benefits female trafficking victims

A record crowd of more than 400 filled the exquisitely decorated ballroom at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Jan. 26 for the seventh annual Glass Slipper Ball to support women’s initiatives worldwide.

Co-chairs Debra Dion Krischke, founder of the Glass Slipper fundraisers, and Laura Stamp had developed a new model this year to follow the original Glass Slipper format under new presenters. Dirk Stamp of The Wine Seller coordinated the wine tasting. 

The major group benefiting from the evening of gourmet food tasting and silent and live auctions was Restore Innocence Cinderella House, which rescues and shelters local victims of human trafficking (restoreinnocence.org). It was also an opportunity to learn about Trampled Rose’s work to eradicate obstetric fistula in Ethiopia and Zonta Club women’s charities.

Taking home top food-tasting honors, as voted by People’s Choice, were:
 Jake and Telly’s Greek Taverna, Best Appetizer for Kreopita: Colorado lamb and Greek cheese blend in filo dough, with rosemary demi-glacé.

Aragon Dining Facility at Peterson Air Force Base, Staff Sgt. Josh Pallardy, operations shift supervisor, Best Dessert for his New York Cheesecake Tower served with a Strawberry Coulis and an iced Graham Cracker Cinderella Slipper.

Winner of Best Overall was Serranos Coffee Company.  The Barista team served a variety of rich dessert coffee drinks including a white chocolate chai.

Also preparing gourmet treats for tasting were: 2 South Food & Wine Bar, Bella Panini, Bliss Bakery, Blue Sage Cafe, Taste of the Wild Catering at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo — chicken and waffles — Coquette’s, Craftwood Inn, Cravings, Crowne Plaza, DoubleTree by Hilton, Garden of the Gods Club, The House Chef, Jun, The Margarita at PineCreek, The Melting Pot, Motif, Mozaic, Mya Bella, Old School Bakery, Springs Orleans, Tapateria and The Warehouse.

Top sponsors included Nordstrom, Brian Maecker Team, Vision Box, The Gazette and Fox 21.