Adoption Institute supporters-and food and wine lovers-from far and wide converged in Manhattan on May 12 for our 8th Annual Taste of Spring. The event featured delicious food tastings from Artisanal Premium Cheese, Bar Breton, Jean Georges, Klee, Kumquat Cupcakery, Me-Oh-My Pie Shop, Sen, Yuva and Zarela. The magnificent wines donated by Kobrand, Mendocino Wine Company, Shea Vineyards, Sherry Lehmann, RO Imports and Cognac One were enjoyed by our 300 guests. On their way out, everyone received a goody bag featuring kitchen gadgets and a cookbook – all donated by Katie Brown.

The evening was a wonderful chance to celebrate the achievements of Broadway, television and movie star (and long-time Institute supporter) Kristin Chenoweth. Our award, presented by another great Institute friend, Deborra-lee Furness, was given in honor of Kristin's tireless commitment to adoptive families and children in foster care. Among the notables in attendance were past honorees Peter Burki, CEO of LifeCare; stage and television star Christine Ebersol; and chef extraordinaire Cyril Reynaud.

The Institute would like to thank everyone whose contributions made the evening such a great success, including our sponsors, ticket buyers and auction donors. Special thanks to event Co-Chairs Kim Donaldson, Hollis Forbes, Sandy McManus, Doug Mehne and Holly Heston Rochell, as well as our Honorary Chairs Jurate Kazickas and Roger Altman, Jane and Bill Donaldson, and Mimi and Jim Stevens. We are also deeply grateful for the support of Honorary Co-Chairs Deborra-lee Furness and Hugh Jackman, Marja and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Katie Brown and William Corbin.

The success of Taste of Spring is vital to the Institute's ability to undertake our work. If you haven't already done so-or if you would like to help out some more-it's not too late to make a donation. Please go to www.adoptioninstitute.org/about/support.php to find out how.

2010 Honoree Peter Burki and Benefit Co-Chair Hollis Forbes	Benefit Co-Chair Sandy McManus, Honorary Chairs Bill and Jane Donaldson with Honoree Kristin Chenoweth
Executive Director Adam Pertman, Board Member Douglas Mehne, Honorary Chair Deborra-Lee Furness and Honoree Kristin Chenoweth	Honoree Kristin Chenoweth, Special Guest Declan Kelly and Event Co-Chair Sandy McManus
Guest Niall O'Muillior and Board President Susan Notkin	Benefit Co-Chair Kim Donaldson with son and Event Planner Ruth Bradley
Board Members Jennifer Evans and Douglas Mehne	Board Member Douglas Fleming and wife Sarah