HMSHost Cooks Up a Grand and Gourmet 2nd Annual Chef’s Table

Bringing almost 20 celebrity chefs from all over North America for its second annual Chef’s Table event at Dock 5 at Union Market on Tuesday, April 9th, HMSHost — yes, the highway and airport food service company — solidified its place in the DC event scene for grand and gourmet get togethers.

This (now) annual event features celebrity chefs preparing gourmet meals tableside for guest donors, all in support of HMSHost Foundation’s mission to fight poverty.

“We are focused on being part of the solution,” said Steve Johnson, President and CEO of HMSHost, of the Foundation’s efforts.  Chef’s Table, at only its second year, raised $270,000.

“We are sitting tonight in the Capital of the richest and most powerful country on Earth, yet in this city we are surrounded by a significant homeless population and thousands and thousands of families who are struggling to put food on the table.  Even though we read headlines about strong economies and job growth, as a whole U.S. and Canada, there is still a strong sense of uncertainty for many people out there…. We have a lot of work to do, and we can’t do it alone, but I am so proud of the progress that the Foundation has made.”

Elite guests from the airports and F&B industries enjoyed a culinary show with dinner and live performance entertainment that included a special appearance by David Kwong, an illusionist and puzzle maker whose show, The Enigmatist, has been playing to sellout audiences in New York.

Among the chef’s participating — many James Beard Award-recognized — were Ryan Ratino (Michelin Starred Bresca),  Scott Drewno (ChiKo), Julian Medina (La Chula, LGA), Massimo Vicidomini (LEYE/Summer House Santa Monica, ORD), Lorena Garcia (Lorena Garcia Tapas Y Cocina, DFW), Susur Lee (Lee Kitchen YYZ), John Sugimura (PinkU, coming to MSP),  Helen Cavallo (Food & Bounty, LAX), Hugo Ortega (Hugo’s Cocina, IAH), Jody Adams (Sullivan’s and Saloniki Greek, both coming to BOS), Johnny Hernandez (La Gloria and The Fruteria, both at SAT), Jordan Ruiz (Munch Factory, coming to MSY), Chris Wilson (Emeril’s Table, coming to MSY), Bryan Caswell (3RD Bar, IAH), Govind Armstrong (8oz Burger, LAX), and Jeff Steelman (HMSHost VP of Culinary).

[VID EXTRA!] An introduction of the chefs: