African them

The decor, provided by Jewell Events Catering and Frost Chicago, featured ombre tones of burnt orange, red, and yellow.

Guests found burlap bags with the gala's logo on their seats. The menu cards also featured fun facts about penguins.

The first course was a goat cheese soufflé topped with a penguin-shaped cracker. The butter that accompanied the bread was also cut out in a penguin shape.

Servers took guests' orders table-side. Options for the entree included roasted halibut (pictured).

Another entree option was herb-crusted beef tenderloin.

Dessert, a lemon parfait with fresh berries, was accompanied by glowing penguin ornaments.

Guests who purchased tables at the $15,000 or $25,000 ticket level had access to reserved cabanas after dinner. Top sponsors also had dedicated service staff and champagne service during dinner.

After dinner, Jewell set up a D.I.Y. s'mores station near the Kovler Lion House.

Guests could get even more treats as they exited the zoo, passing by a Firecakes food truck that doled out doughnuts in paper boxes.

Stationed near the zoo's entrance, Ugochi and the Afro Soul Ensemble sang as guests arrived.

During cocktail hour, servers passed drinks in the dark-pink hues of a sunset. The evening's look was inspired by the sunset over Boulders Beach, which is the native habitat of the endangered penguins that will arrive at the Lincoln Park Zoo in the fall.

In the clear dinner tent, decor comprised natural elements such as twisted branches and wildflowers; the color palette was inspired by the hues of an African sunset.