GOURMET GALA

Tina Cavucci
| (571) 257-2308 Tina Cavucci

Thank you for supporting
Gourmet Gala - A Celebrity Cook-off

DATE: Tuesday, May 17, 2016  |  TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: National Building Museum
ADDRESS: 440 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
 

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FUND THE MISSION

All March of Dimes Signature Chefs events will be held virtually this year. While we may not be together in person, we rely on your continued support to provide innovative programs and services for moms, moms-to-be and babies who may be at a greater risk of becoming sick and not receiving proper or equitable care.

event description image

Event description

The chefs, volunteers and guests who make up our Signature Chefs Events community are coming together in new, innovative ways to suport moms and babies this year.

We are following state mandated guidelines in response to COVID-19 and will not have an in-person event this year. So, we are preparing an exciting, new Virtual Gala for your 2020 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction experience!

We need your help now more than ever. Your support funds:

  • COVID-19 interventions and support for moms and babies
  • Programs that promote health equity for moms and babies and directly combat racial disparities in maternal and child health
  • Free virtual NICU support program for families
  • Virtual prenatal programs for moms-to-be
  • Educational programs, including live Facebook panel discussions, to get info into the hands of moms and families
  • Necessary supplies for expectant mothers including blood pressure cuffs and masks and so much more!

Support the mission

Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, and 1 million will die before their first birthday. Your gift helps the March of Dimes fund research, education, advocacy and programs that help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.

Make a Contribution

Become a sponsor

Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, and 1 million will die before their first birthday. Your gift helps the March of Dimes fund research, education, advocacy and programs that help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.

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[email protected] | Phone # Contact Us

EVENT DETAILS

The 34th Annual March of Dimes Gourmet Gala is a fundraiser with a unique Capitol Hill flavor. Washington notables, including 55 U.S. Senators and Representatives, participated in this competitive cook-off as Celebrity Chefs, serving their favorite hors d'oeuvres, desserts and drinks. Corporate sponsor representatives served as their sous chefs. Their recipes were judged by locally acclaimed professional chefs with awards given for six categories of achievement. The event attracted more than 90 corporate sponsors, had more than 650 guests and raised more than $1,061,000 for the March of Dimes. Watch Speaker Paul Ryan and local March of Dimes ambassadors officially start the Gala. View 2016 event photos and TapSnap/photo booth photos. 

2016 Gourmet Gala Award Winners: 
* Best in Show: Senator Roger F. Wicker and Mrs. Gayle Wicker (MS), Ole Miss Tailgate Chess Squares
* Easiest Preparation: Senator Cory Gardner and Mrs. Jaime Gardner (CO), Gram’s Red, White, and Bleu Tomato Salad
* Health & Happiness: Representative Sanford Bishop and Mrs. Vivian Bishop (GA), Southern Delight with an Indian Bite
* American Regional: Senator Jeff Sessions and Mrs. Mary Sessions (AL), Shrimp Hushpuppies and Alabama Come Back Sauce
* Best Presentation: Senator David Perdue and Mrs. Bonnie Perdue (GA), Pecan Cobbler
* People's Choice: Senator Jeff Flake and Mrs. Cheryl Flake (AZ), Chocolate Chip Cookies; and Senator Dean Heller and Mrs. Lynne Heller (NV), Chorizo Cheeseburger Sliders.

**** Save the Date for the 35th Annual Gourmet Gala: May 23, 2017 ****
 

EVENT LEADERSHIP

Thanks to the leadership of our volunteer chairs and committee members, we are honored to present the 34th Annual Gourmet Gala. After months of hard work, these volunteers will have taken the Gala to new heights. The March of Dimes and the families we support are grateful for the generosity and effort of the team who help make this evening possible. View a welcome message from Senator and Mrs. Cornyn and Mrs. Thompson.

Gala Co-Chairs
Mrs. Sandy Cornyn, Texas
Mrs. Janet Thompson, California

Finance Co-Chairs
Amy Hawkins, BNSF Railway Company
Bobby Koch, Wine Institute

Finance Leadership Committee
Rachel Brinson, BNSF
Kathy Didawick, BlueCross BlueShield Association
Terri Fariello, Exxon Mobil
Marc Gonzales, USTelecom Association
Barry Hutchison, AT&T
Charles Jefferson, Wine Institute
Heather Kennedy, Home Depot
Mike Kiley, UPS
Kent Knutson, Home Depot
Debbie Marshall, Chevron
Melissa Maxfield, Comcast NBCUniversal
Rich McFarland, Parsons Corporation
Jennifer Medley, Comcast NBCUniversal
Linda Ulrich, Wine Institute
Gina Rigby, Aflac
Anna Schneider, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vikki Watkins, Wine Institute

Celebrity Judges
Chef Ris Lacoste, Ris -- Lead Judge
Chef Theary So, Hank's Oyster Bar, Dupont
Chef Ethan McKee, Urbana
Chef Douglas Alexander, Art & Soul
Chef Hamilton Johnson, Honeysuckle

Celebrity Chefs

We are thankful to the following U.S. Senators and Representatives and their spouses who will serve as Celebrity Chefs (as of 5/11/2016). View the 2016 Celebrity Chef recipes. 
Representative Robert Aderholt and Mrs. Caroline Aderholt, Alabama
Senator John Barrasso and Mrs. Bobbi Barrasso, Wyoming
Representative Karen Bass, California
Representative Don Beyer and Mrs. Megan Beyer, Virginia
Representative Sanford Bishop and Mrs. Vivian Bishop, Georgia
Senator Roy Blunt and Mrs. Abby Blunt, Missouri
Senator John Boozman and Mrs. Cathy Boozman, Arkansas
Representative Ken Calvert, California
Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Mr. Charlie Capito, West Virginia
Representative Lois Capps, California
Senator Ben Cardin and Mrs. Myrna Cardin, Maryland
Senator Bill Cassidy and Dr. Laura Cassidy, Louisiana
Representative Peter DeFazio, Oregon
Representative Diana DeGette, Colorado
Representative Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut
Representative Debbie Dingell, Michigan
Senator Richard Durbin, Illinois
Senator Mike Enzi and Mrs. Diana Enzi, Wyoming
Representative Elizabeth Esty, Connecticut
Senator Deb Fischer, Nebraska
Senator Jeff Flake, Arizona
Senator Cory Gardner and Mrs. Jaime Gardner, Colorado
Representative Gene Green and Mrs. Helen Green, Texas
Senator Heidi Heitkamp, North Dakota
Senator Dean Heller and Mrs. Lynne Heller, Nevada
Senator John Hoeven and Mrs. Mikey Hoeven, North Dakota
Representative Jared Huffman and Mrs. Susan Huffman, California
Senator Johnny Isakson and Mrs. Dianne Isakson, Georgia
Representative Trent Kelly and Mrs. Sheila Kelly, Mississippi
Representative Joseph Kennedy, Massachusetts
Senator Angus King and Ms. Mary Herman, Maine
Representative John Larson, Connecticut
Representative Dave Loebsack and Mrs. Terry Loebsack, Iowa
Representative Zoe Lofgren, California
Representative Nita Lowey, New York
Senator Ed Markey and Dr. Susan Blumenthal, Massachusetts
Representative Doris Matsui, California
Representative Richard Neal, Massachusetts
Representative Frank Pallone, New Jersey
Representative Nancy Pelosi, California
Senator David Perdue and Mrs. Bonnie Perdue, Georgia
Senator Gary Peters and Mrs. Colleen Ochoa Peters, Michigan
Senator James Risch and Mrs. Vicki Risch, Idaho
Representative Paul Ryan, Wisconsin
Representative Matt Salmon, Arizona
Representative Steve Scalise and Mrs. Jennifer Scalise, Louisiana
Senator Tim Scott, South Carolina
Senator Jeff Sessions and Mrs. Mary Sessions, Alabama
Representative Bill Shuster, Pennsylvania
Senator Pat Toomey and Mrs. Kris Toomey, Pennsylvania
Representative Michael Turner and Mrs. Majida Turner, Ohio
Senator Tom Udall and Mrs. Jill Udall, New Mexico
Representative Marc Veasey, Texas
Senator Roger F. Wicker and Mrs. Gayle Wicker, Mississippi

SUPPORT THE MISSION

Premature birth is the #1 killer of babies. Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, and 1 million will die before their first birthday. Your gift helps the March of Dimes fund research, education, advocacy and programs that help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. You can help fight premature birth by making a 100% tax deductible donation at the event or click here to make your donation today. See how your donations will support our mission. 

BECOME A SPONSOR

Gourmet Gala unites those who share a demonstrated commitment to the health of our nation's infants through the March of Dimes Foundation. More than 50 members of Congress will compete as Celebrity Chefs, Corporate Sponsors will serve as their Sous Chefs, and awards will be given in six categories of achievement. Sponsorship opportunities are available. View the National Association of Realtors VP of Congressional Affairs Jamie Gregory's message.

Our Sponsors

Our Sponsor

View our updated event acknowledgements and waivers here.

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