Marriage Equality Tastes Good To The DMV; Tim Gunn/Gov. Martin O'Malley Headline HRC Benefit

NORTHWEST -- The toughest reservation to get in D.C. yesterday evening most likely was a seat at the inaugural Chefs for Equality extravaganza benefit held inside the ballroom of the downtown Ritz-Carlton hotel, with a corresponding after party hosted at Penn Quarter’s Graffiato Italian eatery.

Organized by The Washington Post food columnist David Hagedorn in just four weeks (a herculean task given the enormity of the undertaking), both main and late night events easily sold out, surely thanks in no small part to the occasion’s guests of honor: Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and fashion icon and TV personality Tim Gunn.

As if the chance to mingle with both headliners wasn’t a sufficient draw by itself, attendees were also treated to a buffet dinner courtesy of some of the city’s most celebrated culinary and cocktail destinations.

Michel Richard. Bryan Voltaggio. R.J. Cooper. Cathal Armstrong. Vikram Sunderam. Nick Stefanelli. Jamie Leeds. They were all there personally serving-up dishes from each of their top-rated restaurants, including Volt, Rogue 24, Rasika, Central, Restaurant Eve, Bibiana, and Hank’s Oyster Bar.

Comfort food, family establishments, and neighborhood favorites also abounded, with everything from plates of pork belly from Café Saint-Ex to scoops of Pitango Gelato to Carmine’s meatballs to Georgetown Cupcakes all on the menu.

Latecomers who only made it to the after party were similarly pampered, with pan-fried dumplings courtesy of The Source’s Scott Drewno, artisanal pizzas from Mike Isabella, and cocktails from too many of the District’s top mixologists to name.

While the focus of the feast was obviously the food, the purpose behind the party was to raise funds and awareness about the fight for marriage equality in Maryland – a pivotal mission near and dear to the night’s beneficiary organization, Human Rights Campaign, which is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender American civil rights organization.

“Progress is a choice,” said O'Malley. “And whether we move forward under the vision of a more inclusive America, where freedoms are enjoyed more freely and more openly by more and more people or whether we move back, that’s a choice.”

The stakes are high for the governor who signed the state's same-sex marriage law in March. Maryland voters will be signaling their choice, with respect to the so-called “Question 6” ballot initiative, when they head to the polls in less than two weeks.

And based on last night’s showing of support, victory will indeed be sweet (and savory).