WASHINGTON – For the third consecutive year, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and prominent food writer David Hagedorn are once again bringing together more than 100 of Washington, D.C.’s top chefs, pastry chefs and mixologists for Chefs for Equality, an evening of food, cocktails, fashion and music to benefit the fight for marriage and LGBT equality. The event will be held Tuesday, September 23, 2014 beginning at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the impressive fare, an extraordinary auction will be held in support of LGBT equality.
As they have for the previous two years, Christopher Vazquez and Rick Davis of Amaryllis Floral Event + Design will transform the Ritz-Carlton’s ballroom spectacularly to conform to this year’s theme: “Virginia Real”, a nod to the latest state with marriage equality. With the decision by the federal appellate court, the ruling represents the 19th consecutive federal court victory for marriage equality. The full 4th Circuit can be asked to review the panel’s decision or the case could go directly to the Supreme Court.
While there has been great momentum toward marriage equality, same-sex couples can legally marry in only 19 states and the District of Columbia, while 31 states still have a law or constitutional amendment restricting marriage to the union of one man and one woman.
In addition to 80 chef and mixology stations, Chefs for Equality also features eight personal chefs tables, an opportunity to dine with a pair of superstar chefs and a personal sommelier for a lavish five-course meal at the very front of the stage during the event. The extraordinary chef pairings include Peter Chang of Peter Chang China Café and Scott Drewno of The Source; Spike Gjerde of Woodberry Kitchen and Jeremiah Langhorne formerly of McCrady’s in Charleston, SC; Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve and Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel’s; Mike Isabella of Graffiato and Victor Albisu of Del Campo; Jamie Leeds of Hank’s Oyster Bar and Ris Lacoste of Ris; Vikram Sunderam of Rasika and Tony Conte of The Oval Room; Jason Alley of Comfort and David Guas of Bayou Bakery; Bryan Voltaggio of Volt and Tarver King of Patowmack Farm.
In addition to the eight tables for 8 is one stunning table for 16, helmed by the formidable foursome of Fabio Trabocchi of Fiola; Patrick O’Connell of The Inn at Little Washington; Eric Ziebold of Cityzen; and Frank Ruta, formerly of Palena. Michel Richard has joined to provide the dessert course for the table. Mark Furstenberg of Bread Furst will provide the bread for all personal chef tables.
Each personal chef table has a special connection with Virginia and will feature signature Virginia food and drink.
“We are excited to bring attention to the fact that marriage equality is still a very real issue,” says David Hagedorn. “We have the greatest chef community in the country, many of them in Virginia. To have such a dazzling array of talent stand up for marriage equality so generously is truly humbling.”
Tickets for Chefs for Equality are $150 and can be purchased at chefsforequality.org. Additionally, tickets for the after-party at Mike Isabella’s Kapnos restaurant can be purchased separately for $50. All proceeds will benefit the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s nationwide work for LGBT equality.
