Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Jay Shepley, Communications Director
(202) 269-6875
jshepley@foodandfriends.org
Link to promotional photos
40+ of DC’s Top Culinary Stars Team Up to Serve Inspired Dishes at
Chef’s Best Dinner & Auction
Written by: Abigail Seiler
Rep. Jim McGovern, leading Congressional hunger advocate, to keynote program
*Note: This event took place in 2019 and we have since unveiled a new website. Some of the links in this article are unavailable.
Washington, D.C.– On Monday, June 10th, 40 of the area’s best chefs and mixologists will serve up special tastings of their signature dishes at Food & Friends’ annual Chef’s Best Dinner & Auction. Hosted at the Marriott Marquis, Chef’s Bestwill benefit Food & Friends, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides life-sustaining meals to those living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses.
Thanks to the efforts of Chef Chair Kevin Tien of Himitsu, Hot Lola’s, and Emilie’s, guests will enjoy tastings prepared by some of the region’s most talented chefs and mixologists including: Eric Bruner-Yang, Maketto, Tony Chittum,Iron Gate, Sanjay Mandhaiya, Pappe, Jong Son, Tiger Fork, Amy Hosseinnian, Buffalo & Bergen,andMalkhaz Maisashvili of Supra,among other notables from the D.C. dining scene. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on an array of exciting silent and live auction items featuring fantastic trips, one-of-a-kind experiences and private dining opportunities.
This year, guests will also hear from Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA), a leading Congressional advocate on issues of food security, nutrition and health. He serves as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Rules and is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition in the House Committee on Agriculture. In 2018, he co-founded the Food is Medicine Working Group as part of the House Hunger Caucus, which he also co-chairs.
Proceeds from Chef’s Bestwill ensure the delivery of nutritionally tailored meals and nutrition counseling to Food & Friends’ clients living with cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses. This year, Food & Friends aims to provide 1 million meals to more than 3,000 seriously ill individuals in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland.
“I am honored to serve as Chef Chair of this year’s event,” said Kevin Tien. “To me, it doesn’t matter who you are, at the end of the day, food is something that connects everyone. I am touched by the impact that Food & Friends makes in the lives of its clients, delivering nutritious meals and a healthy dose of compassion during life’s most trying times. It gives me comfort to know that Food & Friends fills such a critical need at no cost to those who rely on the organization’s services.”
Tickets are $350 and sponsorships start at $1,000. Visit www.foodandfriends.org/ChefsBest to purchase tickets and see a current list of chefs and sponsors. The President’s Reception for sponsors begins at 5:30pm. Doors open for the main event at 6:30pm, with live auction bidding starting around 8:30pm. Food & Friends depends on the support of corporations, foundations and individuals and is grateful for the sponsors who have contributed to Chef’s Best.
ABOUT FOOD & FRIENDS
Established in 1988, Food & Friends is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides nutritionally tailored, home-delivered meals to people facing a life-challenging health crisis. We believe that food heals and each year we prepare and deliver nearly 1 million meals across 5,300 square miles to our neighbors – at no charge. We help our clients feel better, connect them to their community and empower them to manage their illnesses. Over 8,500 volunteers touch more than 3,000 lives annually. At Food & Friends, we are driven by a simple premise: anyone can get sick and everyone can help. www.foodandfriends.org