25th Chef’s Best Dinner!

Last night we went to the 25th Annual Chef’s Best Dinner and Auction Presented by Friendship Animal Hospital at the Marriott Marquis. Guests enjoyed tastings prepared by more than 50 of the region’s most talented chefs, and an array of exciting silent and live auction items, such as trips and private dining opportunities. David Hagedorn received the Visionary Leader award from Food & Friends for thinking of this fundraiser 25 years ago. We snapped him with husband Michael Widomski and Friendship Hospital for Animals director Peter Glassman.

Harrimans Salamander Chef Chris Edwards serving crispy sesame cauliflower with ginger orange glaze, Tico Chef George Rodrigues serving bourbon glazed sweet corn relish on brioche crostini, and DC Coast Executive Chef Miles Vaden serving BBQ smoked Skuna Bay salmon.

Food & Friends’ services are free to recipients, who qualify based on their health status and nutritional need. Since 1988, it's delivered more than 17 million meals to 25,000 individuals. Here, USAID's Billy Pick, Red Dog Strategies' Jeffrey Carneal and Dr. Moody Mustafa.

All proceeds go to delivery of meals and nutrition counseling to Food & Friends’ 3,000 local clients living with cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses. Marriott International was honored for its longtime support; its Global Officer Debbie Marriott Harrison received the award. She's flanked by Food & Friends president Mike Bento and executive director Craig Shniderman.

Heather Mahoney & Alfredo Flores contributed to this issue.