Hues of purple, green, and gold lit up the National Building Museum on February 20—Fat
Tuesday—for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s ninth annual Gourmet Gala,
which displayed the culinary talents of 37 of the city’s top chefs. More than
850 business, financial, and political honchos were on hand (doubling last
year’s attendance numbers, and resulting in a venue change), including the
“First Lady of Press,” former UPI White House bureau chief Helen Thomas, and ABC
news veteran Sam Donaldson.
An anonymous supporter placed large ads in The Washington Post and The Washington Times to promote the event, which, while helpful, posed a problem for St. Jude mid-Atlantic regional director Kevin Gianotto. “The biggest challenge was trying to accommodate the waiting list,” he said. Senior event specialist Jeanie Torchio added, “With an event of this size, you worry about long lines for the food and drinks.” Luckily, the venue’s cavernous hall and many chef booths allowed for little to no waiting throughout the evening. Conference Inc. president Donna Tschiffely donated her services, transforming the space into a mini Mardi Gras, complete with beads and feathered masks provided by Enchanted Florist.
An anonymous supporter placed large ads in The Washington Post and The Washington Times to promote the event, which, while helpful, posed a problem for St. Jude mid-Atlantic regional director Kevin Gianotto. “The biggest challenge was trying to accommodate the waiting list,” he said. Senior event specialist Jeanie Torchio added, “With an event of this size, you worry about long lines for the food and drinks.” Luckily, the venue’s cavernous hall and many chef booths allowed for little to no waiting throughout the evening. Conference Inc. president Donna Tschiffely donated her services, transforming the space into a mini Mardi Gras, complete with beads and feathered masks provided by Enchanted Florist.

Hargrove Inc. draped 80- to 100-foot-tall swaths of sheer tangerine fabric.
Sean McCormick/Sean McCormick Photography Inc.

Hargrove Inc. draped 80- to 100-foot-tall swathsof sheer tangerine fabric from the ceiling to the stage.
Sean McCormick/Sean McCormick Photography Inc.

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Chef Greggory Hill of David Greggory restaurant was one of the 37 chefspreparing dishes on-site.
Sean McCormick/Sean McCormick Photography Inc.

Enchanted Florist supplied feathery masks to enhance the Mardi Grastheme.
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