Let Virginia eat cake! Lots of cake — at Chefs for Equality.
HRC's third annual Chefs for Equality event shines a spotlight on the push for marriage equality in Virginia
“I have a feeling when people come down the stairs to the ballroom, they might see some people dancing the Virginia reel,” says David Hagedorn. Chances are this won’t be your grandfather’s version of the traditional square dance, as seen in Gone With The Wind. At the downtown Ritz-Carlton next Tuesday, Sept. 23, you’re at least as likely to see groupings of all men dancing as you are of groupings with both men and women.
Yes, Virginia, Chefs for Equality is a gay event, or at least a gay-supportive one. Now in its third year, this Human Rights Campaign fundraiser raised $125,000 last year, and the proceeds go toward the organization’s work in pushing for marriage equality — this year including Virginia, which came this close to allowing same-sex marriages last month, until the U.S. Supreme Court put a hold on such plans for a couple months.
So for the third annual Chefs for Equality, organizer Hagedorn, the former chef-turned-food writer, has decided to shine a spotlight on certain chefs and products, all marriage-equality supporters with Virginia connections. At least 35 of the nearly 100 chefs and restaurants participating in this year’s event have Virginia ties, including Patrick O’Connell of the Inn at Little Washington, Jason Alley of Richmond’s Comfort, Cathal Armstrong of Alexandria’s Restaurant Eve, and Peter Chang of China Café, which has locations in Richmond and Charlottesville. All of the wine served at the event will come from supportive wineries in Virginia, and a lot of the beer and spirits also originate from the commonwealth, from Commonwealth Gin to Blue Ridge Vodka to Port City Brewery. Belle Isle Moonshine will also be on tap. “Got to have moonshine at a Virginia party,” Hagedorn says, adding this also isn’t your grandfather’s moonshine. “It’s new-school moonshine. It’s not turpentine.”
A majority of the participating chefs will prepare food available buffet-style via 50 chef stations. Though, as in years past, a select group of chefs have signed on to be on display in the ballroom, cooking a five-course meal live for tables of eight who paid for the privilege. Others have signed on to offer some great live auction items, including New York’s Daniel Boulud. The world-famous Boulud can’t attend Chefs for Equality, so he’s taped a video to explain his auction bid: A 10-course meal for 10 with wine and beer pairings to be prepared at his brand-new DBGB Kitchen + Bar in CityCenterDC. Tico’s Michael Schlow, meanwhile, will offer a food tour of Boston for two people.
The true stars of the night just might be those who have the most spirit — the 20 participating mixologists. “That’s what everyone goes crazy for,” Hagedorn says. “They’re shaking and stirring, it’s part of the theater of it all.” Especially since Hagedorn has stationed many of them to be in the center of the ballroom. Todd Thrasher of Restaurant Eve and Jason Tesauro of Barboursville Vineyards are just two drink-slingers on hand from Virginia.
Naturally, it wouldn’t be a marriage-themed event without a wedding cake — or twelve. “When you come in the foyer, all of these cakes are displayed and are really stunning,” Hagedorn says. And then the cakes, made by Bryan Sorrentino of Charm City Cakes, Penny Karas of Hello Cupcake and Tiffany MacIsaac of Buttercream Bake Shop, among others, will be served as the dessert course at Chefs for Equality — along with gelato and ice cream.
The National Gallery of Art’s Culinary Masterpiece
“We really couldn’t do it without Chris Vasquez and Rick Davis from Amaryllis Floral + Event Design,” Hagedorn says. “They just totally transform the ballroom.” Hagedorn has also recruited assistance from a few participants in the annual Miss Adams Morgan drag fundraiser, who will “circulate and make merry.” He’s also put together “a fabulous goodie bag” with edible items such as Bayou Bakery “porkorn,” Restaurant Eve scone mix and whoopie pies from Makin’ Whoopie!
But wait, there’s more: Hagedorn has also organized an after-party. At $50 a ticket, this event especially appeals to those of more modest means who can stay up late. Three or four chefs will be on hand at this open-bar party where “everyone lets their hair down and has a good time.” Though of course with all the free-flowing stiff ones, even the main Chefs for Equality event isn’t exactly for stiffs. As Hagedorn sums it up, “It’s a great big cocktail party.”
Chefs for Equality is Tuesday, Sept. 23, starting at 6:30 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, 1150 22nd St. NW, with the after-party at 10 p.m. at Kapnos, 2201 14th St. NW. Tickets are $150 for the main event, $50 for the after-party. Visit chefsforequality.org.
CHEFS FOR EQUALITY WITH VIRGINIA TIES
- Peter Chang
- Jeremiah Langhorne
- Robert Wiedmaier
- Cathal Armstrong
- Mike Isabella
- Victor Albisu
- Jamie Leeds
- Vikram Sunderam
- Jason Alley
- David Guas
- Bryan Voltaggio
- Tarver King
- Patrick o’Connell
- Nathan Anda
- Todd Gray
- Kyle Bailey
- Tiffany MacIsaac
- Tony Chittum
- Austin Fausett
- Michelle and Christophe Poteaux
- Bertrand Chemel
- Tim Ma
- Will Artley
- Brian Robinson
- Jeff Tunks
- Nate Waugaman
- Luc Dendievel
- Carmine Marzano
- Peter Brett
- Brian Noyes
- Lauren Graham
- Laura Stuckey
- Craig Rogers
- Travis Croxton
CHEFS FOR EQUALITY VIRGINIA WINE, BEER AND SPIRITS
- Barboursville Vineyards
- Early Mountain Vineyards
- Boxwood Winery
- Fabbioli Cellars
- Tarara Winery
- Northgate Vineyards
- Mad Fox Brewery
- Port City Brewery
- Commonwealth Gin
- Don Ciccio et Figli
- Blue Ridge Vodka
- Copper Fox Distillery
- Silverback Distillery
- Belle Isle Moonshine
- Catoctin Creek
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.