Wednesday, November 2, 2016
6:30 p.m.
1150 22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037
Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. Hotel
EVENT DETAILS
You are invited to the March of Dimes 20th Annual Signature Chefs Gala of Washington, D.C. Signature Chefs is one of D.C.'s premier social events highlighting the city's culinary masters brought together for an elegant evening of wine, cocktails and dining. You or your company can join approximately 400 affluent society members and business professionals as they support our mission while enjoying over 40 of the area's celebrated chefs, mixologists, bartenders and vintners. What could be sweeter? The evening will also include auctions with unique dining, entertainment, travel and leisure packages.
Other Washington notables include the 2016 Honorary Chef Victor Albisu, chef/owner of Del Campo and Taco Bamba, and ABC7/WJLA-TV anchor Leon Harris as the emcee.
In addition to the sponsors below, we thank our media partner: The Washington Informer, The Umbrella Syndicate, DC Magazine and Washington Diplomat.
SUPPORT THE MISSION
Every year more than 15 million babies are born prematurely; one million will die before their first birthday as a result. With your gift at Signature Chefs to the March of Dimes, you can help to fund the research, education, and support to ensure more babies celebrate their birthday.
Meet our Cocktail Chair
We are excited to announce that Jo-Jo Valenzuela is returning for his 6th year as the Honorary Cocktail Chair at the 2016 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction.
Jo-Jo is an award-winning professional bartender with over 18 years of experience in hospitality in the D.C. metropolitan area. He has won numerous titles, including 2015 DC’s 8th Annual Rickey Champion; 2015 Margarita Wars Judges’ Vote Champion; 2014 Prince George’s Best In Glass Grand Finale Champion and Spring Edition Champion; and the 2014 D.C. Craft Bartenders Guild Budget Booze Build-Off Champion.
Jo-Jo is the D.C. Brand Agent for Absolut Elyx; he recently finished his 2 year tenure as DC Gin Connoisseur for Beefeater and Plymouth Gins, and he is the Vice President of the D.C. Craft Bartenders Guild. Jo-Jo has opened, worked in and managed some of the highest-volume bars and upscale restaurants in the D.C. area. He says that his most remarkable feat happened when he was the Beverage Director and Sommelier of the historic Occidental Grill, where he managed a Wine Spectator-recognized wine list, put together an all-American craft beer list and was successful in integrating a craft cocktail menu with a traditional bar.
Jo-Jo, his wife Christina Garcia Valenzuela, and their two handsome sons, Lorenzo Xavier and Sebastian Vader reside in Falls Church, Virginia. Their family of four will be expanding to five in December when they welcome their third boy. Jo-Jo will tell you that his full time, and most rewarding job is being a loving father and husband. Jo-Jo supports the March of Dimes mission because although he has been blessed with 2 healthy boys, he knows not everyone shares that same story and every baby and every family deserves a healthy start.
View our updated event acknowledgements and waivers here.
