www.culturaltourism.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Michelle Cragle, Director of Communications and Marketing
mcragle@culturaltourismdc.org
202-638-8368
 

Washington, DC (April 22, 2014) — Cultural Tourism DC presents its 6th annual Embassy Chef Challenge, Thursday, May 15, 2014, from 6 pm to 9:30 pm at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The annual fundraiser gives the public access to one of DC's best-kept secrets: world-class embassy chefs. More than a dozen embassy chefs present small plates showcasing their country's signature delicacies and battle in DC's Premier International Culinary Competition. A panel of celebrity chefs and food critics select the winner of the Judge's Choice Award, while guests cast a ballot for the People's Choice Award.

Rounding out the evening are live and silent auctions, featuring preeminent items steeped in international flavor, including private embassy experiences. Attendees have the opportunity to mingle with celebrity chefs, food critics and members of the largest diplomatic community in the world. This year's honorary gala chair is Capricia Penavic Marshall, former Chief of Protocol of the United States. "Embassy Chef Challenge is a very exciting event. We expect more than 500 people to attend this year's challenge and because it sold out last year, I urge people to buy their tickets now," said Tim Cox, chairman of the Cultural Tourism DC board of directors.

PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES AND CHEFS:

Embassy of the Republic of Botswana, Chef Boitshwarelo Graffius
Embassy of the Republic of Congo, Chef Godeleine Ngoma Adiwa
Embassy of El Salvador, Chef Edgar Meléndez
Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, Chef Amourne Djamel
Embassy of Italy, Chef Roberto Grazioli
Embassy of Jamaica, Chef Sherene James
Embassy of Nepal, Chef Chetnath Bhandari
Royal Norwegian Embassy, Chef Sindre Risvoll
Embassy of Republic of Poland, Chef Andrzej Bielach
Embassy of the Russian Federation to the USA, Chef Roman Shchadrin
Royal Thai Embassy, Chef Jiraporn Bunlert
Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Chef Mukesh "Tiger" Ramnarine
Embassy of Uzbekistan, Chef Muhammad Aliyev
Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Chef Ángel Lopez Castro

MEET THE JUDGES:

Chef Nathan Bates, New Zealand Embassy Chef and Embassy Chef Challenge 2013 Winner
Tim Carman, Food Reporter, The Washington Post
Lauren DeSantis, Blogger and Star of "Capitol Cooking with Lauren DeSantis"
Chef Xavier Deshayes, Executive Chef, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Chef Amy Riolo, Culture of Cuisine Cooking Show and Award Winning Cookbook Author
Chef Joan Nathan, Award-winning Author and PBS TV Star
Chef Bart Vandaele, "Top Chef" Contestant and Owner of DC's Belga Café and B Too

All proceeds of the event benefit Cultural Tourism DC, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps individuals learn about DC's arts, culture and heritage . Tickets are $250 and are available at CulturalTourismDC.org or by calling 202.661.7581.

EMBASSY CHEF CHALLENGE SPONSORS:

Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Turkish Airlines, Events DC, Melrose Georgetown Hotel, A-B InBev, Destination DC, The Coca-Cola Company, Daimler, Forest City, Alliance Insurance Services, Caterpillar, King & Spalding, The George Washington University, Pepper Hamilton LLP, Stanton Development Corporation, and WalMart.

LINKS:
Event website: CulturalTourismDC.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CulturalTourismDC
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dcculture
Hashtags: #EmbassyChef

Cultural Tourism DC (CTDC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, develops and delivers authentic Washington DC experiences that provide people with opportunities to learn about the District's neighborhoods by walking along the DC Neighborhood Heritage Trails, the international diplomatic community via Passport DC, and the arts and culture community during Art4All DC, a showcase for CTDC's more than 200 Affiliates. Learning extends to CTDC's annual fundraising activity, Embassy Chef Challenge, a tribute to international cuisine. Through these programs, CTDC encourages residents and visitors to explore the city, propel the community's economic prosperity, and to become civically engaged.