On Monday, Share Our Strength held its 20th annual Washington Taste of the Nation benefit, which raised funds for ending childhood hunger. Underwritten by American Express at the Washington Hilton, the event brought out some 1,400 guests to sample tastings from more than 50 local heavyweight restaurants, including Kinkead's, BLT Steak, and Central Michel Richard. The evening ran smoothly with help from a small army of volunteers (100 showed up) and Hilton waitstaff, who were kept on their toes by the mountains of dishes that piled up from each tasting.
"For this event, we were using real plates. Usually [at the other national events] they are disposable so we need garbage to be picked up at all times. But because it was at the Hilton, it was easy to have them provide us with dishes," said Taste of the Nation director Vered Uziel. "We worked with the hotel last year, so we were able to review what worked and didn’t work. We also got feedback from our chefs, and needed to ensure that people were providing them with plates, since some ran out last year."The result? A busy night for food, with a jam-packed crowd clamoring for the small dishes. To attract attention, some chefs took time to adorn their stations with eye-catching motifs, or simple nods to the restaurant's brand and flavor.
"For this event, we were using real plates. Usually [at the other national events] they are disposable so we need garbage to be picked up at all times. But because it was at the Hilton, it was easy to have them provide us with dishes," said Taste of the Nation director Vered Uziel. "We worked with the hotel last year, so we were able to review what worked and didn’t work. We also got feedback from our chefs, and needed to ensure that people were providing them with plates, since some ran out last year."The result? A busy night for food, with a jam-packed crowd clamoring for the small dishes. To attract attention, some chefs took time to adorn their stations with eye-catching motifs, or simple nods to the restaurant's brand and flavor.
Share Our Strength's logo illuminated the ceiling.
Photo: BizBash
The event took over the Hilton's space-age-style ballroom.
Photo: BizBash
Best Buns Bread Company of Arlington used cheerful colors and flowers to draw attention to its shrimp tostadas and Bavarian cream puffs.
Photo: BizBash
Wolfgang Puck's the Source held court in the V.I.P. area, with a display of standing sesame miso cones filled with spicy tuna tartare.
Photo: BizBash
The Ronald Reagan Building chefs showcased their sorbets (including carrot galangal) in an ice sculpture, while a grass pad held cookies.
Photo: BizBash
Vidalia appropriately dressed its booth with piles of onions and dished out roasted pork belly on top of toasted corn polenta.
Photo: BizBash
Penn Quarter's Indebleu stayed true to its modern Indian cuisine with a colorful lentil mosaic to display caper-crusted sea scallops and coconut curry cauliflower.
Photo: BizBash
Alexandria spots Restaurant Eve and the Majestic went for a spring look (with orange linens, tulips, and bright green apples) for their braised beef short ribs.
Photo: BizBash
Georgetown's Hook set up in the event's chocolate corner, with whoopie pies and a chocolate cake centerpiece.
Photo: BizBash
The V.I.P. area moved to the balcony this year, with tables offering sponsored gifts (think Washington Post-emblazed jar openers and treats from Georgetown Cupcake).
Photo: BizBash
Share Our Strength's brand-new corporate logo illuminated the ballroom ceiling.
Photo: BizBash
