When people ask me why I got into the restaurant business, two things immediately come to mind – food and community. The food angle shouldn’t surprise anyone because I’ve been sharing this passion with others for over 35 years.
The sense of community is truly inspiring to us chefs. Here in our nation’s capital, my restaurants Vidalia, Bistro Bis and Woodward Table have brought countless individuals together around food since I opened my first eatery in the 1990s. Every day, I witness the intersection of food and community.
Being in this business of gathering communities around exciting dishes means doing more than just catering to those who have the means to eat in fine dining establishments – we must also turn our attention to those who are less fortunate.
It’s in this spirit that I have the pleasure of serving as the chef co-chair, along with my esteemed colleague Eric Ziebold, of the Capital Area Food Bank’s 12th Annual Blue Jeans Ball. Eric and I have been working to bring the area’s best restaurants together for this amazing event that ultimately helps tackle the issue of hunger in the region. To date, the Blue Jeans Ball has raised over $2 million to help feed children, seniors and families struggling with hunger.
Join me and Eric on April 26, 2015 from 6 – 10 PM at the brand new Marriott Marquis Hotel for the CAFB’s 12th Annual Blue Jeans Ball. You can count on sampling some of the region’s most exciting culinary creations. Both Eric and I will be on hand serving up great food from our restaurants as well.
You’ll have the opportunity to bid on some very cool and sought-after auction items, too! And you get to do all of this while donning your favorite pair of jeans in a gala setting– that’s right; jeans aren’t just for casual Fridays anymore! So, join us and be our special guest!
