Foodies Spin On A Dime At Signature Chefs Auction Benefit!

NORTHWEST -- The District’s gourmands marched to the beat of a decidedly culinary drum on Wednesday evening, during the March of Dimes’ annual Signature Chefs Auction of D.C. benefit.

March of Dimes champions.

The VIP reception.
Held inside the grand ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. (VIPs were also treated to a special celebrity reception earlier that afternoon inside the hotel’s art museum), the night saw more than 30 of Washington’s top chefs, bartenders, and vintners come together to treat guests to a dazzling buffet of culinary, fine wine, and spirits tastings.

Master of Ceremonies Leon Harris and BLT Steak’s Victor Albisu
Chef Will Morris from Brasserie Beck served-up steaming bowls of Flemish beef stew, Michel Richard Citronelle Pastry Chef Ana MacDougal plated what seemed like thousands of servings of Crêpe Suzette, and BLT Steak’s Victor Albisu saw everyone from Master of Ceremonies Leon Harris to Chef Geoff Tracy stop by for a plate of his Hamachi (heart of palm, grain mustard, yuzu), among countless other both savory and sweet delights.

Chef Geoff Tracy flanked by the ‘Bitches Who Brunch’.

Reagan Building Executive Chef Xavier Deshayes, Reagan's Josie Taylor, and Chef Laurent Reze of Aria Restaurant.

The Brasserie Beck team.
Marcel’s, Beck, BRABO, The Butcher’s Block, and Mussel Bar chef/owner Robert Wiedmaier was toasted as the 2011 Honorary Signature Chef and he could easily be spotted mingling about throughout the benefit, even jumping-up on stage during the live auction to encourage ticketholders to bid higher.

Citronelle’s Crêpes Suzette.
To wet the whistles of even the thirstiest of attendees, an impressive line-up of mixologists and vintners sat ready and waiting, with an equally remarkable drink menu prepared. Cocktail chair Jo-Jo Valenzuela of Old Glory fame enlisted everyone from Bourbon Steak’s Duane Sylvestre to Black Jack’s Micah Wilder for the occasion.

Yesterday’s event sought to raise money to support local programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to reduce the occurrence of premature birth and infant mortality in the region. Specific local programs that will benefit include the Mama & Baby Bus, a mobile bus that delivers prenatal care to D.C. women who would not otherwise receive it, and the NICU Family Support Program, which provides comfort and information to families with a baby in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Black Jack’s Micah Wilder and Bourbon Steak’s Duane Sylvestre.
Hope never tasted so good!