Executive Pastry Chef Todd Feitl of prasino in LaGrange will serve on the judges’ panel for this year’s World of Chocolate, an annual holiday benefit raising funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

In commemoration of World AIDS Day, this one-of-a-kind annual soiree will take place on Thursday, Nov. 29 at the Hilton Chicago International Ballroom.  It is a night of decadence and irresistible chocolate creations, as well as a holiday celebration of community and progress made in ending the AIDS epidemic.

Guests will experience confections from dozens of Chicago’s finest chocolatiers, restaurants and caterers. Last year, more than 1,500 guests indulged their senses with displays that included chocolate Christmas trees and a tropical paradise, while enjoying delicacies such as chocolate grilled cheese, white chocolate ganache and chocolate infused tea.

Chef Feitl is among the A-list food critics who will be in attendance and charged with crowning the night’s best creations.

Chef Feitl started out cooking when he was 14-years-old at Valley Inn Catering in Palos Hills, Ill. In 2010, he joined the newly opened prasino Restaurant. He has been in charge of the pastry program since his arrival and also works at the La Grange, Il. location as the sous chef.

Funds raised through World of Chocolate support AFC’s grant-making, policy and public education programs.

World AIDS Day is a worldwide effort to increase public awareness and encourage support and programming to prevent the spread of HIV infection. December 1 has been observed as World AIDS Day since 1988, when an international summit of health leaders called for a greater exchange of information on HIV/AIDS in every country around the globe.

For more information on this year’s World of Chocolate gala or to reserve tickets, call (312) 334-0935 or visit www.aidschicago.org/chocolate.