“[Chocolate and confectionery company] Albert Uster Imports, our cohost, really sees food as art,” said Michelle Mobley, director of special projects for Heart of America. “We wanted the general public to know the abilities that chefs and chocolatiers really have."

In addition to the fashion show, the chefs and 26 additional restaurants and catering companies set up tasting stations outside of the ballroom, offering an array of desserts, such as pineapple upside-down cake from the Park Hyatt Washington and Blue Duck Tavern, an Elvis-inspired pie of peanut butter and banana from Overwood Grill in Alexandria, and chocolate peanut-butter crunch cake with peanut brittle from BlackSalt. 

In between bites, the 900 guests (up from the 250 count of three years ago) could peruse the silent auction or relax in the upstairs Chocolate Lounge, where TVs screened the fashion show. Those suffering from sugar overload could also take a break, nibbling on Cinco de Mayo-inspired cuisine from Whole Foods and mini steak sandwiches from Ruth’s Chris Steak House.  

Hosted by ABC 7's Leon Harris, the evening's program, which began at 8 p.m., included a live auction, a recap of the services Heart of America offers, and the 25-minute runway show.   —Adele Chapin