TWITTER PITCH: Celebrate & enjoy international culinary delights at @DCculture's #EmbassyChef Challenge 3/14 http://bit.ly/WZdira
Washington, D.C. – January 15, 2013 – Cultural Tourism DC presents the 5th Annual Embassy Chef Challenge. Embassy chefs from DC show off their international culinary skills in this annual competition. The competition finally occurs at a benefit gala held on March 14th 2013 from 7:00-10:30 p.m.
• A panel of celebrity judges and more than 400 guests will judge cuisines from around the world and present the coveted Judge's Choice and People's Choice Awards. • Chefs representing embassies from around the world, who usually serve only to dignitaries and heads of states, will serve hors d'oeuvres that showcase their countries' cuisine. • Local celebrity chef Carla Hall, finalist and "Fan Favorite" from Bravo's Top Chef All-Stars, will serve as a judge and guest auctioneer this year. • The annual benefit supports the free programs and events provided by Cultural Tourism DC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the arts and culture of Washington, DC.
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 2013 TIME: 7:00 - 10:30 p.m. LOCATION: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. TICKETS: $250 per ticket. Purchase at www.embassychefchallenge.com. Early registration encouraged—as last year's event sold out.
EMBASSY CHEF CHALLENGE FEATURES
• Silent and live auctions showcasing culturally diverse food and adventure packages, with proceeds benefitting the free programs and events offered by Cultural Tourism DC • Five star global cuisine from the areas world-class chefs • Top shelf open bar for all guests • Judging by celebrity chefs and food critics • People's Choice winner selected by guests of the gala • Mingle with the largest diplomatic community in the world
EMBASSIES PARTICIPATING
• Afghanistan • China • El Salvador • Jamaica • Korea • New Zealand • Norway • Russia • South Africa • Trinidad & Tobago
MEET THE JUDGES
• Tim Carman, food reporter, The Washington Post • Chef Xavier Deshayes, executive chef, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center • Chef Duff Goldman, Founder and Head Pastry Chef of Charm City Cakes–the Baltimore Bakery featured on Food Network's Ace of Cakes, Member of the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Culinary Partnership American Chef Corps • Washington-based Chef Carla Hall, co-host of ABC's The Chew, finalist on Bravo's Top Chef, and finalist and "Fan Favorite" on Bravo's Top Chef All-Stars • Chef Penny Karas, owner and executive pastry chef, Hello Cupcake • Chef Viktor Merényi, Embassy of Hungary, Judge's Choice winner of the Embassy Chef Challenge 2012 • Chef Sina Molavi, executive chef, Occasions Caterers • Joe Yonan, food and travel editor, The Washington Post
HOW THE CHALLENGE WORKS
Embassy Chef Challenge begins behind closed doors with Challenge Hungary—a private preliminary competition. This cook-off will be held on February 10, 2013 at Occasions Catering. The Top Chef-style competition challenges each chef to create a main course in two hours with one common ingredient and a basket of surprise ingredients determined by 2012 Embassy Chef Winner and 2013 judge, Hungarian Chef Viktor Merényi. The judging panel will reserve the name of the winner to be announced the night of the Embassy Chef Challenge.
The Embassy Chef Challenge reconvenes the night of the gala on March 14, 2013 when all chefs offer their best hors d'oeuvres for a second round of judging at the Ronald Reagan Building. The scores from the preliminary cook-off and the gala hors d'oeuvres battle determine the Judge's Choice Award winner. Guests at the gala will vote for the People's Choice Award.
QUOTE
"DC is city that has a strong international influence. The Embassy Chef Challenge provides guests with the opportunity to sample that first hand through international cuisine served up by the embassies' chefs."
Attributed to Kyle Rahn, director of development, Cultural Tourism DC
Cultural Tourism DC acknowledges major sponsors for Embassy
Chef Challenge 2013: Chef Level: Etihad Airways, Ronald Reagan Building And International Trade Center Gastronome Level: 3M, The Coca-Cola Company, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Melrose Hotel Bon Vivant Level: Gelberg Signs, Jumiera Hotels and Resorts, Occasions Caterers For a complete list of sponsors visit: http://www.embassychefchallenge.com/sponsors#!sponsors/ccjb
ABOUT CULTURAL TOURISM DC
Cultural Tourism DC is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition of more than 230 culture, heritage, and community-based organizations. Cultural Tourism DC and its members help residents and visitors experience DC's cultural and heritage. www.culturaltourismdc.org
Media Contact Vanessa French 703-975-3979 vanessa@pivotpointcom.com @VanessaFrench
