Few events are better than the annual Chef’s Best Gala from the DC charity Food & Friends. Bringing over 50 of the Districts hottest Chefs together to serve amazing food, and auction off trips, tickets, and more to help benefit healthy meal preparations and delivery for caner & HIV/AIDS victims here in the area. Truly a great cause and an amazing time.
According to their site:
Chef’s Best Dinner Auction presented by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation is our signature fundraiser. On May 13th, more than 1,500 guests will enjoy tastings from 60 of the region’s brightest culinary stars while raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support children and adults facing HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses. In addition to a menu filled with one-of-a-kind delights, you’ll enjoy bidding on live and silent auctions featuring travel opportunities and other great adventures.
The event this year raised $960,000 which is a record breaking success for Food & Friends. This represents more than 10% of Food & Friends operating budget. And, the gracious and amazing Washington Hilton (the same one Conan O’Brien took a cheap shot at during the White House Correspondence Dinner – see my open letter scolding him), always plays a very gracious host.
However, the food took second place to none, and was as amazing as always. Below are some of my favorites from the evening (in no particular order):
Logan Tavern – cured Arctic Char with wakame and seaweed salad
The Heights – beef tenderloin tartare on garlic toast
The Pig – pork curry with cilantro yogurt (3rd place in my book)
Ruth’s Chris Steak House – prime beef sliders
Trummer’s on Main – buckwheat blinis with salmon tartar
Grillfish – house-made gravlax & salmon ceviche with pomegranate sour cream & pickled ramps
J&G Steakhouse – hamashi sashimi, chipotle mayonnaise and crispy rice
Chef Geoff’s Tysons – smokey Carolina BBQ puff (while good, I’m from NC, and this was no NC BBQ)
Fujimar Restaurant – if they labeled their sign, I’d know what this was, but it was epic
Bar Pilar – venison country ham slider with pepper jelly and cream cheese (2nd place in my book)
Meridian Pint – lamb stewed in porter with spring vegetables
Farmers Fishers Bakers – Virginia peanut butter mousse cups
Hank’s Oyster Bar – seared sea scallops with cauliflower puree, sea beans, and shitake mushrooms
Addie’s – Virginia beef tartare with caper, pickled ramps, boccarones, esplette, and farro lavosh (first place in my book)
Black Market Bistro – spicy Cobia with sweet pea mascarpone crostini with pickled onions
Drooling yet? You should be! Better get your tickets for the next event then! See you there.