'Sugar & Champagne Affair' A Cake Walk; Sold-Out WHS Benefit Draws Foodie/Doggy Lovers

NORTHWEST -- There were treats aplenty for four-legged and two-legged guests alike on Thursday evening, during the Washington Humane Society's much looked forward to annual Sugar & Champagne Affair held inside the Ronald Reagan Building.

Now in its 12th year, hosts Chef Todd and Ellen Gray once again welcomed hundreds of the District's food and dog lovers to the perennially sold-out celebration, with 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales going towards the animals in the non-profit's care.

New for 2013 was a special 'Golden Ticket' raffle and 'Cake Walk' auction. The former allowed guests to purchase a $50 ticket (sales were limited to only 200) for the chance to win some extraordinary prizes, including a private RdV Vineyards wine tasting tour or dinner for six at Et Voila!, while the latter auctioned off five specially created gourmet cakes from some of the city's top pastry chefs.

And naturally, 'Sugar & Champagne' showcased the sparkling wines, sugary confections, and savory fare from more than 85 of D.C.'s finest restaurants, bars, and vineyards. For humans that meant everything from plates of charred baby octopus to bowls of PB&J panna cotta, with their furrier friends feasting on platters of doggie biscuits and specially prepared bone marrow bones.

Last night's benefit was emceed by 94.7 Fresh FM morning radio host Tommy McFLY and also paid tribute to some of WHS' local heroes -- everyone from Nats pitcher Stephen Strasburg to area police officers -- who went above and beyond the call of duty in improving the lives of the area's animals over the past year.

That's certainly worth a champagne toast, right? And a slice of cake. Or two.