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.
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash