Food & Friends Raises Close to $1.1 Million at the 25th Anniversary Chef’s Best

On Monday, June 15th, 50 of the area’s best chefs served tastings of their signature plates in the ballroom of the Marriott Marquis to raise money for Food & Friends. The chefs were participating in our 25th Anniversary Chef’s Best Dinner & Auction Presented by Friendship Hospital
 for Animals. We proudly honored the Marriott family, Marriott International and The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation during the event.

 

Chef’s Best was in a new home this year, the stunning Marquis Ballroom at the brand new Marriott Marquis. 

During the VIP Reception, Board President Mike Bento recognized partners that have supported Food & Friends for over a decade. Peter Glassman, Director of Friendship Hospital for Animals and Debbie Marriott Harrison, Global Officer, Marriott Culture and Business Councils for Marriott International were recognized for their numerous contributions over the years. Also honored was David Hagedorn who started Chef’s Best 25 years ago and helped to build it into one of the best nights of philanthropy in Washington, DC. 

Supporters gave in various ways including a Live Auction with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and trips. Highlights included a trip to Cuba which sold to three different bidders for $10,500 each, a cooking class and lunch with Chef Patrick O’Connell at the Inn at Little Washington which sold for $11,000 and a home-made dinner for 8 by Food & Friends’ Executive Chef which sold for $5,700. An appeal was made to the audience to support Food & Friends’ clients – current and new – facing diabetes. Guests at Chef’s Best gave generously and more than $76,000 was collected.

Celebrity Chef Co-Chair, Jeff Black of Black Restaurant Group, took the stage to thank attendees and make a special announcement. He told a story of visiting Food & Friends’ facility and being so taken with the operation that he asked a simple question; “What would it take for me to pay for the food in this place for one day?” He got the answer and at last night’s event, Jeff Black, with his family and their foundation, donated $35,000 to fund one full day of meals for Food & Friends’ clients.

All proceeds from Chef’s Best will ensure the delivery of specialized meals and personalized nutrition counseling to Food & Friends’ clients living with cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses. This year, supporters will help provide more than 1 million meals to more than 2,700 individuals in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland. Food & Friends depends on the support of corporations, foundations and individuals and is grateful for the sponsors who have contributed to Chef’s Best.

3 Reasons to Not Miss Chef's Best on May 13th

FOOD, FRIENDS, CAUSE!

If you haven’t bought your tickets to Chef's Best yet, here are three reasons to be at the Washington Hilton on Monday, May 13th: 

1. THE FOOD
Celebrity Chef Chair, Jeff Black of Black Restaurant Group, will join 50 of the area’s hottest chefs to serve up gourmet creations that will make your taste buds sing.

2. THE FRIENDS
1,500 Washingtonians will choose Chef’s Best as the place to celebrate on Monday, May 13th. There may be plenty of tastings in town…but no one throws a party like Food & Friends!

3. THE CAUSE
Food & Friends provides life-sustaining, nutritious meals, friendship and strength to individuals living in the area who are battling life-challenging illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and cancer, often with little or no support network.

You will have an incredible time and make a huge impact in the lives of your neighbors in need by reserving your Sponsorship, Table or Tickets, today!

CAN'T JOIN US?
Buy a Golden Ticket and you could win a 3-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Orange County, California, with $1,000 from US Airways.

We hope to see you on May 13th!

Chef Jeff Black Is Dishing Up Generosity At Annual Chef’s Best Dinner & Auction

Chef Jeff Black will chair this year's
Chef's Best Dinner & Auction.

Jeff Black has established himself as a force in the Washington, DC, community through a lifetime of commitment to the restaurant industry. Chef Black and his wife Barbara opened their first restaurant, Addie’s, in Rockville, in 1992, and the two determined chefs have successfully expanded with four more establishments. Barbara and Jeff Black, with partner, Jon Linck, own and operate Addie's, Black Market Bistro, Black's Bar and Kitchen, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace, Black Jack and BlackSalt Fish Market & Restaurant, which captured the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s “Best New Restaurant of the Year” in 2006.

While each restaurant has its own distinct style, all share a common commitment to great food and quality service. Black Restaurant Group supports the sustainability of farms and waters, humane and healthful raising of animals and fish, and environmentally sound practices regarding energy, recycling and conservation. In addition to their sustainable practices, Black's Restaurant Group seeks to make a difference in the community by partnering with and supporting local charities through the Black's Family Foundation.

Each of the restaurants is routinely recognized by critics and guests alike as some of the top restaurants in the area ranking in Washingtonian magazine’s “100 Best.” And in 2012 Jeff and Barbara Black were recognized for their success as Restaurateurs of the Year from Washingtonian and from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.

We are incredibly grateful to have Chef Jeff Black serve as Celebrity Chef Chair for the 23rd Annual Chef’s Best Dinner & Auction presented by the NACDS Foundation. Chef Jeff Black and his restaurants having been delighting guests at Chef’s Best for years with tasty bites and extraordinary auction lots. In addition, through participating in Dining Out for Life® and hosting a number of special events in our honor, Jeff Black has donated more than $70,000 to support our mission.

Chef Black has said of Food & Friends: "I am confident that you will never find a more committed, passionate and loving group of people than Food & Friends. The efforts of their volunteers and staff are immeasurable, and they give more to our local community in a day than most do in a year." We are proud and honored, in Food & Friends' 25th year, to have Chef Jeff Black serving as our Chef's Best Dinner & Auction Celebrity Chef Chair.

(Courtesy of Black Restaurant Group: http://www.blackrestaurantgroup.com)