On September 22, culinary personalities from around the country will gather in Washington for a first-of-its kind charity roast of D.C. chef and pioneering restaurateur, Nora Pouillon. The night of food, comedy and philanthropy will be held at Dock 5 in Union Market, and honor Nora’s legacy, while poking some fun at her occasional foibles. All proceeds from the inaugural Chef’s Roast will benefit the Chef Action Network, an organization dedicated to building the next generation of chefs advocating for policies that support health, nutrition and sustainability.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the event will feature a series of roasters who will offer anecdotes and commentary on Pouillon’s storied culinary career, which saw the Austrian-born chef open Restaurant Nora in 1979 in Washington’s Dupont Circle neighborhood, and eventually turn it into America’s first certified organic restaurant.
The list of roasters is a who’s who of food world personalities, environmental and food issue advocates, including:
- Chef Rick Bayless – Frontera Grill, Toplobompo and Xoco
- Chef Carla Hall – Co-host of ABC’s The Chew
- Chef Michel Nischan – Wholesome Wave and Chef Action Network
- Chef Mary Sue Milliken – Border Grill Restaurants and James Beard Foundation trustee
- Chef Patrick O’Connell – The Inn at Little Washington
- Chef Ann Cooper – “The Renegade Lunch Lady”
- Ken Cook – President, Environmental Working Group
- Jim Crawford – Owner, New Morning Farm, Founding Member, Tuscarora Organic Growers
- Robert Egger – Founder and President, LA Kitchen, Former President, DC Central Kitchen
The inaugural Chef’s Roast is the brainchild of Arabella Advisors founder and managing director, Eric Kessler, and his wife, Sharapat Kessler, who also serve as event chairs on the host committee. “The Chef Action Network does a remarkable job helping chefs shine a spotlight on important culinary and environmental issues,” said Eric, “and we are thrilled to be able to support it while also paying tribute to Nora, a truly remarkable talent who has had a major, if often underappreciated, influence on American dining.”
During the proceedings, guests will enjoy a Nora-inspired feast prepared by culinary luminaries:
- Cathal Armstrong (Restaurant Eve, Eamonn’s, PX, The Majestic and Society Fair)
- Scott Drewno (The Source by Wolfgang Puck)
- Mike Isabella (Graffiato, Kapnos and G)
- Kate Jansen (Pastry Chef at Willow)
- Haidar Karoum (Proof, Estadio, Doi Moi)
- Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill Restaurants)
- John Mooney (Bidwell, Bell, Book & Candle)
- Tracy O’Grady (Willow)
- Mikaela Reuben (Private Chef, Vancouver, BC)
- Andrea Reusing (The Lantern)
- Christian Thornton (Atria)
- Sherry Yard (Helms Bakery)
Individual tickets to the Chef’s Roast are $300, while tables for 10 can be reserved for $7,000-$30,000 inclusive of unique opportunities, including a meet and greet with chefs and celebrity roasters. All tickets are available through Eventrbite.
About the Chef Action Network
The Chef Action Network (CAN) is a non-profit organization that connects chefs to tools and resources that will help them create significant and lasting change in their communities, the country and the world. CAN is focused on harnessing the power of America’s preeminent chefs in support of a strong, sustainable, just and healthy food system. www.chefactionnetwork.com
Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm
In Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future, the co-founder of PayPal draws on his experience investing in hundreds of start-ups and shares what he has learned about how to build companies that create new things.
with Politics & Prose
WHAT: FIGMENT DC – Free Participatory Art Phenomenon
WHEN: Saturday September 27, 11am-5pm, Sunday September 28, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Anacostia Park, Section E at the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, WDC
A “Leave No Trace” event, FIGMENT DC features local artists whose art submerges participants in interactive co-creation. The event is totally free and open to the public, and provides a much-needed platform for emerging artists to engage with a diverse audience, and share their artistic visions. In a culture where passive spectatorship often prevails over active engagement, FIGMENT DC builds community among urban residents and suburbanites alike, as we all collaborate together in generating our collective FIGMENT experience. Family-friendly and completely non-commercial, FIGMENT transforms the beautiful outdoor space of Anacostia Park into a magical, colorful playground that everyone can enjoy.
“FIGMENT is an opportunity for our DC community to come together and enjoy art in all its forms,” says Patty Simonton, director of FIGMENT DC 2014. “Unlike most art galleries in Washington, FIGMENT erases the lines between those who create and those who view art so that everyone can become an artist. DC really does have a thriving, creative arts community and this event brings that artistic energy out to a broad audience.”
Concurrent with the announcement of FIGMENT DC 2014 dates, organizers have launched a crowdfunding campaign, “Your Creativity, Your Participation, Your FIGMENT” to raise $9,200 to provide logistics and services such as water, security, equipment and other associated costs. Strictly non-commercial and not for profit, FIGMENT DC accepts no corporate funding or advertising, and hence relies entirely upon individual donations and support. Consistent with the FIGMENT ethos of participation and personal creativity, “perks,” or gifts given in gratitude for donations, include interactive experiences such as singing lessons. Local DC area artists have also made their artworks available as gifts, to help the campaign meet its goal. The campaign, along with a new video about why FIGMENT is such a special part of the creative community in the Greater Washington area can be found at: http://startsomegood.com/
WHAT: FIGMENT DC – Free Participatory Art Phenomenon
WHEN: Saturday September 27, 11am-5pm, Sunday September 28, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Anacostia Park, Section E at the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, WDC
A “Leave No Trace” event, FIGMENT DC features local artists whose art submerges participants in interactive co-creation. The event is totally free and open to the public, and provides a much-needed platform for emerging artists to engage with a diverse audience, and share their artistic visions. In a culture where passive spectatorship often prevails over active engagement, FIGMENT DC builds community among urban residents and suburbanites alike, as we all collaborate together in generating our collective FIGMENT experience. Family-friendly and completely non-commercial, FIGMENT transforms the beautiful outdoor space of Anacostia Park into a magical, colorful playground that everyone can enjoy.
“FIGMENT is an opportunity for our DC community to come together and enjoy art in all its forms,” says Patty Simonton, director of FIGMENT DC 2014. “Unlike most art galleries in Washington, FIGMENT erases the lines between those who create and those who view art so that everyone can become an artist. DC really does have a thriving, creative arts community and this event brings that artistic energy out to a broad audience.”
Concurrent with the announcement of FIGMENT DC 2014 dates, organizers have launched a crowdfunding campaign, “Your Creativity, Your Participation, Your FIGMENT” to raise $9,200 to provide logistics and services such as water, security, equipment and other associated costs. Strictly non-commercial and not for profit, FIGMENT DC accepts no corporate funding or advertising, and hence relies entirely upon individual donations and support. Consistent with the FIGMENT ethos of participation and personal creativity, “perks,” or gifts given in gratitude for donations, include interactive experiences such as singing lessons. Local DC area artists have also made their artworks available as gifts, to help the campaign meet its goal. The campaign, along with a new video about why FIGMENT is such a special part of the creative community in the Greater Washington area can be found at: http://startsomegood.com/
When: Friday, October 3, 7:00-10:30 pm
Where: The Art League Gallery, Torpedo Factory Art Center
How much: Tickets: $35 ($45 after September 19). Must be 21+ to attend. Click here to purchase.
Seven craft beers from six local breweries have been artfully paired with a work of art from an Art League instructor. Local restaurants have chosen a brew/artwork coupling to serve as their muse to create the perfect complementary appetizer. Enjoy the numerous brew, bite, and artwork trifectas on Friday, October 3 from 7:00 to 10:30 pm at The Art League’s first Art on Tap event.
Sample the creative combinations in a take-home Art on Tap beer tasting glass and vote for your favorite and the end of the event!
Featuring live music by Shark Week & Greenland!
Participating breweries:
Devils Backbone Brewing Company (Charlottesville, VA)
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Richmond, VA) – presenting two beers
Heavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, MD)
Port City Brewing Company (Alexandria, VA)
Starr Hill Brewery (Charlottesville, VA)
Three Brothers Brewing Company (Harrisonburg, VA)
Participating restaurants:
Location:
105 North Union Street
Studio 21
(located in the Torpedo Factory Art Center)
Alexandria, VA 22314
Information:
703-683-1780
The Fourth Annual Taste of DC will take over Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday, October 11 and Sunday October 12, 2014. The largest Mid-Atlantic culinary festival will bring to the Nation’s Capital two days of the region’s very best food, drink and entertainment. WHAT: Attendees will be able to sample food from more than 70 of the region’s most popular restaurants, food trucks, caterers and purveyors; taste over 50 beers in the Stella Artois Beer Garden; sample more than 100 wines on the Taste of DC Wine Walk and enjoy nonstop entertainment on three different stages.
Saturday, October 11 – 3 PM: The 4th Annual Ben’s Chili Bowl World Chili Eating Championship. Contestants include some of the world’s most famous professional eaters including Joey “Jaws” Chestnut and Sonya “The Black Widow” vying for the World Championship title. The competition takes place on the Taste of DC Main Stage.
Sunday, October 12 – 4-8 pm: Heritage BBQ Cochon 555 Five local superstar chefs will create their version of a globally-influenced menu featuring whole heritage bred pigs. Each will make 6 dishes. Competing chefs: Scott Drewno (The Source by Wolfgang Puck), Erik Bruner-Yang (Maketto), Kyle Bailey (Birch & Barley), Joe Palma (Bourbon Steak), George Pagonis (Kapnos). Ten other chefs also will prepare BBQ items.
This event is ticketed: General admission: $100, VIP Early Admission $200. WHERE: Pennsylvania Ave. between 9th – 14th Streets NW
WHEN: Saturday, October 11 and Sunday October 12 – Noon to 7 p.m. each day. Special ticketing packages will be available for every Taste, including Beer Lovers, Wine Lovers and Heritage BBQ Cochon 555: Information at www.thetasteofdc.org/tickets. PRICE: General admission: $10; Children 6-12 yrs $5; children under 5 free.
The Fourth Annual Taste of DC will take over Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday, October 11 and Sunday October 12, 2014. The largest Mid-Atlantic culinary festival will bring to the Nation’s Capital two days of the region’s very best food, drink and entertainment. WHAT: Attendees will be able to sample food from more than 70 of the region’s most popular restaurants, food trucks, caterers and purveyors; taste over 50 beers in the Stella Artois Beer Garden; sample more than 100 wines on the Taste of DC Wine Walk and enjoy nonstop entertainment on three different stages.
Saturday, October 11 – 3 PM: The 4th Annual Ben’s Chili Bowl World Chili Eating Championship. Contestants include some of the world’s most famous professional eaters including Joey “Jaws” Chestnut and Sonya “The Black Widow” vying for the World Championship title. The competition takes place on the Taste of DC Main Stage.
Sunday, October 12 – 4-8 pm: Heritage BBQ Cochon 555 Five local superstar chefs will create their version of a globally-influenced menu featuring whole heritage bred pigs. Each will make 6 dishes. Competing chefs: Scott Drewno (The Source by Wolfgang Puck), Erik Bruner-Yang (Maketto), Kyle Bailey (Birch & Barley), Joe Palma (Bourbon Steak), George Pagonis (Kapnos). Ten other chefs also will prepare BBQ items.
This event is ticketed: General admission: $100, VIP Early Admission $200. WHERE: Pennsylvania Ave. between 9th – 14th Streets NW
WHEN: Saturday, October 11 and Sunday October 12 – Noon to 7 p.m. each day. Special ticketing packages will be available for every Taste, including Beer Lovers, Wine Lovers and Heritage BBQ Cochon 555: Information at www.thetasteofdc.org/tickets. PRICE: General admission: $10; Children 6-12 yrs $5; children under 5 free.
David Sedaris has leveraged his sardonic wit and incisive social critiques to become one of America’s preeminent humor writers. Beginning with his wildly popular “Santaland Diaries,” the great skill with which Sedaris slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that he is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition. He visits his D.C. “home away from home,” the Music Center at Strathmore, on Friday, October 17, 2014 at 8 p.m. Says the San Francisco Chronicle: “Sedaris belongs on any list of people writing in English at the moment who are revising our ideas about what’s funny.” For more information or to purchase tickets, call (301) 581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
In addition to “Barrel Fever,” Sedaris is the author of “Holidays on Ice,” as well as collections of personal essays, “Naked,” “Me Talk Pretty One Day,” “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim,” “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” and his most recent book, “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls,” each of which became an immediate bestseller. The audio version of “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls” was a 56th Annual Grammy nominee for Best Spoken Word Album. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling collection of fables entitled “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary.”
Sedaris’s pieces appear regularly in The New Yorker and have twice been included in “The Best American Essays.” There are a total of seven million copies of his books in print and they have been translated into 25 languages.
He and his sister Amy Sedaris have collaborated under the name “The Talent Family” and have written half-a-dozen plays which have been produced at La Mama, Lincoln Center, and The Drama Department in New York City. These plays include “Stump the Host,” “Stitches,” “One Woman Shoe,” which received an Obie Award, “Incident at Cobbler’s Knob,” and “The Book of Liz,” which was published in book form by Dramatists Play Service.
David Sedaris’s original radio pieces can often be heard on This American Life. David Sedaris has been nominated for three Grammy awards for Best Spoken Word and Best Comedy Album. His most recent audio recording of new stories (recorded live) is “David Sedaris: Live for Your Listening Pleasure.”
A feature film adaptation of his story “C.O.G.” was released after a premier at the Sundance Film Festival (2013).
