On Tuesday, July 19, six top DC chefs will gather at DNV Rooftop in downtown DC, for the return of “Chefs Behind Bars,” a cocktail event to benefit No Kid Hungry’s work to end childhood hunger in America. From 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., Washingtonians can enjoy signature drinks concocted by the city’s most renowned culinary talent, all while helping No Kid Hungry make sure all kids have the healthy food they need, every day.
Location: DNV Rooftop, 1155 14 th Street, NW, Washington DC 20005
Admission: $45 in advance; $50 at the door
Guests are invited atop one of DC’s hottest rooftop bars for an unlikely chef showdown for best cocktail. Each chef will be paired with a liquor sponsor to create one signature drink, which they will serve to the crowd and a panel of notable industry experts throughout the evening. A “people’s choice” award will be presented based on cash tips from the general public, while a “judges’ choice” award will be based on ratings from the judging panel.
In addition to cocktail sips, DNV Rooftop will provide tastes from their Japanese street food-inspired menu.
The confirmed line-up includes Chef Yo Matsuzaki (Zentan, DNV Rooftop), Chef Jonathan Dearden (Radiator), Chef Matt Adler (Osteria Morini), Chef Ryan Hackney (Bibiana), Chef Ed Scarpone (DBGB Kitchen and Bar) and Chef Seng Luangrath (Thip Khao).
“This event brings together six great restaurants in the District, their talented chefs, and host DNV Rooftop for a fantastic evening in support of No Kid Hungry. ‘Chefs Behind Bars’ will raise critical funds and help us fulfill our mission of ensuring kids get the healthy food they need every day,” said Billy Shore, founder and CEO of Share Our Strength.
“I’m thrilled to host ‘Chefs Behind Bars’ on our rooftop this summer,” said Chef Yo Matsuzaki. “The friendly competition among local DC chefs is a fun way to fundraise and bring awareness to No Kid Hungry’s great work in the community.”
In the event of rain, “Chefs Behind Bars” will be rescheduled for the following Tuesday, July 26.
One in five children in this country struggles with hunger, including nearly 31,000 kids in DC. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger in this nation by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and have healthy meals in the summer. Since the campaign’s launch, No Kid Hungry and its partners have connected kids struggling with hunger with more than 460 million healthy meals.
Tickets to the Chefs Behind Bars event can be purchased at join.nokidhungry.org/ChefsBehindBars.
Haute Haus Agency hosts Rock the Runway DC, an original couture NY-Fashion Week preview of headlining designer Marchesa. Musical accompaniment to collections convey the aesthetic of a designer’s work in ways which presenting the collection on its own, cannot, so a live performance will be paired with the original runway production to artistically convey that creativity is style. Live music is now adding to the manifestation of runway; the shows of many major fashion houses now like concerts, its musicians their muse.
Guests will be presented with an original couture fashion show, live concert, Kendra Scott trunk show, two open bars, haute gift bags, and more. Proceeds benefit Music Unites, a 501(c)3 charity that supports music education around the world.
VIP guest: singer/songwriter Traci Braxton (Braxton Family Values) and hosts HeyFrase/FOX5 hosts Sarah Fraser and Samy K; live entertainment to be announced soon.
Chef Andrew Markert has a huge heart and loathes violence. Like many of us, he is frustrated and sickened by the endless string of gun-induced violence here in America. Chef Markert has observed these atrocities with grief, quietly supporting the advocacy that could help to stop them but unable to participate in the conversation. Not willing to remain silent any longer, he decided to do what the hospitality industry does best—invite your talented friends over to the restaurant and work together to raise money to go toward advocacy and awareness.
On Sunday July 31st, Beuchert’s will host “Forks up, Guns down” at its Capitol Hill location starting at 6:00pm. Joining Andrew will be Chef Anthony Lombardo (his final event in DC) from The Hamilton, Chef Jesse Miller of Bar Pilar,Chef Kyle Bailey of Sixth Engine, and Celebrity Chef Rock Harper. To complement the amazing cuisine, Chef Markert invited top beverage folks including Tyler Hudgens (The Dabney), Nate Mann (Room 11), and Chas Jefferson (Cotton & Reed) to name a few. Cocktails featuring Charm City Mead, Whistle Pig, and other stellar brands will be available all night. Chefs and mixos will have various stations in the open kitchen and behind the bar. Gourmet Symphony will be on sight to provide musical entertainment throughout the evening, as well.
Tickets will be $50 and can be purchased through Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/e/forks-up-guns-down-tickets-26573045695. The entire ticket price will be donated to The Coalition to Stop Gin Violence. Founded in 1974, the CSVG states on their website “we seek to secure freedom from gun violence through research, strategic engagement and effective policy advocacy.”
In addition to that donation, all servers at Beuchert’s that evening will be volunteering their time. Any tips given to servers or bartenders will be donated to Everytown for Gun Safety. Everytown says it is “…a movement of Americans working together to end gun violence and build safer communities.” They seek to achieve this using “Voices of the Movement” which include Moms, Mayors, and Survivors.
Chef Markert hopes you will join him and his friends for this outstanding event on July 31st.
- Jenn Gustetic, Small Business Innovation Research Program Executive at NASA
- Mike Piotnek, District Manager at Boston Beer Company
- Dan Milano, Managing Editor, Social Media at Circa
- Dan Zak, Reporter at the Washington Post
On Monday, August 15, 1986 Park Hyatt Washington DC first opened its doors to Washingtonians and visitors to the nation’s capital. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the iconic luxury hotel, located at 1201 24th Street, NW, will display an eye-catching six-foot tall birthday cake, prepared by Pastry Chef David Collier, on the corner of 24 & M St. NW, next to the hotel’s landmark fountain. As an added bonus, guests will have the pleasure of enjoying complimentary cupcakes from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Passersby can partake in over 300 cupcakes, while supplies last, with two tempting flavors, Vanilla Citrus Sponge with cherry blossom buttercream and Chocolate Cake with caramelized milk and chocolate buttercream.
WHEN: Monday, August 15th from 12p.m. To 1 p.m.
WHERE: The Park Hyatt Washington is located at 24th and M Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20037. For additional information please call 800 778 7477 or visit www.parkhyattwashington.com
Environmental Film Festival Presents Not Without Us
What: Special Year-round Festival Screening of Not Without Us (USA, 2016, 90
min.), followed by discussion with filmmaker Mark Decena
When: Thursday, August 18, 7:00 p.m.
Where: E Street Cinema, 555 11 th St., NW
Who: Presented by the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital
How: Tickets, $10. Reservations required. Purchase at http://notwithoutus.bpt.me/
Film Description: Not Without Us immerses us in the moving, personal journeys of
seven grassroots activists from around the world as they prepare and head to Paris
to challenge the 21st session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference
(COP21) that took place in Paris last December. Building on the momentum of the
2014 People’s Climate March in New York, the Paris mobilizations were slated to be
civil societies’ largest and most urgent show of force yet. The deal made there was
acclaimed as a historic success, but the film examines the type of agreement that
was adopted and the questions that still remain: Can the COP21 Agreement stop
climate change? If it can’t, is it up to us? In English and French with English subtitles.
Directed by Mark Decena.
Join Art and Soul and the Liaison Capitol Hill DC on their Rooftop Pool & Lounge Friday, August 26 for a taco extravaganza hosted by Executive Chef Douglas Alexander (who’ll be manning the grill) and DC Brau. Guests can also bring their bathing suits if they want to take a dip between bites.
- Any combination of three tacos. Chef’s selections include: Cochinita Pibil, Al Pastor, Grilled Chicken, Carne Asada, and Braised Chicken Mole
- An unlimited toppings bar
- A DC Brau
- Tacos a la carte – $5
- Chips & Guacamole – $5
- Chips and Three Salsas – $3
- DC Brau – $6/can and $8/draft.
- Margaritas on tap – $9
Join Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) on September 1 to party with the primates and make a toast to conservation at our Grapes with the Apes event. Uncork and unwind with wine tastings from local and national wineries after hours at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
The Zoo’s six western lowland gorillas and six orangutans will be staying up late as guests mix and mingle at the Great Ape House. Attendees will enjoy animal demonstrations, live music, culinary delights sold from popular DC food trucks, a one-of-a-kind sale of animal art, and a chance to win zoo-themed prizes and gifts.
General admission and VIP tickets are available for purchase. General admission tickets include unlimited wine tastings, a commemorative wine glass, animal encounters, and the opportunity to purchase wine to take home and enjoy later. General admission tickets are $50 for FONZ members and $65 for nonmembers. VIP tickets include the general admission benefits plus a private wine and hors d’oeuvres happy hour at the Think Tank exhibit, access to the VIP-only “Crush Pad,” delicious tastings from DC restaurants, exclusive animal encounters, and a take-home gift. VIP tickets are $115 for FONZ members and $150 for nonmembers. Tickets are available now at www.FONZ.org/grapes
Grapes with the Apes is sponsored by Uber and WRQX – mix107.3.
This event is for adults 21 years of age and older. Children, infants, strollers, and infant carriers are not permitted. Grapes with the Apes will be held rain or shine.
The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (www.goldentriangledc.com) will host Chef Kazuhiro “Kaz” Okochi, the head chef at the award-winning KAZ Sushi Bistro at 1915 I Street NW, for an outdoor cooking demonstration, Fri., Sept. 16, from Noon–2 p.m., during Farragut Fridays at Farragut Square Park (at the intersection of K St. and Connecticut Ave. NW). Attendees will learn from Chef Kaz as he prepares a twist on okonomiyaki – a popular Japanese dish, sometimes referred to as “Japanese pizza.”
Okonomiyaki, which is more like a crepe than a pizza, is made from a rich savory cabbage pancake in an egg and flour batter with pork belly, red ginger, smoky dried bonito flakes, Japanese mayonnaise, and a special sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. Samples will be available on a first come, first served basis.
The chef demonstration is part of Farragut Fridays, a weekly outdoor activation of one of the city’s most well-known national parks, which draws more than 39,000 visitors over the summer. Throughout the day, the Golden Triangle BID invites people to use the free Wi-Fi at Outdoor Office and enjoy a variety of pop-up events including adoptable puppies, scavenger hunts and music during lunch. The programming serves as an additional amenity for workers and tourists, as it’s occurring a block from the White House. The complete schedule of activities can be found at goldentriangledc.com/farragutfridays.
“Just one month before the release of Washington, D.C.’s first Michelin Guide, the city’s attention is sure to be on the food scene. These chef demonstrations will give everyone a taste of the creativity and vibrancy of our neighborhood and the more than 32 restaurants here,” says Leona Agouridis, executive director, Golden Triangle BID. “The fact that Michelin decided to bring on of the new guides here doesn’t surprise me. With the diversity and stature of our region, Washington offers unique dining options for workers, tourists, and residents.”