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Find Your Flavor of Philanthropy

In the mood to put your money where your mouth is? A number of non-profits would love to help you do just that in the coming weeks.  

All that’s left to decide is how you’d like to throw down.  

Chefs Behind Bars

(Courtesy Kiley Fischer)
(Courtesy Kiley Fischer)

Local toques will, on May 28, once again try their hands at fashioning can’t-miss libations during the latest installment of the ongoing “Chefs Behind Bars ” series.  

In the year since the role-reversing fundraiser for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign debuted here in the District, dozens of chefs and mixologists have rallied to the cause — facing off in a number of competitions that have borne bragging rights for a growing roster of self-styled cocktail shakers.  

Art and Soul vet Douglas Alexander nabbed the People’s Choice Award in July 2014. Beuchert’s  Executive Chef Andrew Markert became the People’s Choice winner in September 2014. And restaurateur and “Top Chef “ alumnus Bryan Voltaggio snagged the People’s Choice prize just last month.  

Those hoping to partake in the upcoming festivities, which are scheduled to take place at Capitol Hill newcomer Stanton & Greene , can secure tickets (join.nokidhungry.org/ChefsBehindBars) ahead of time for $45. (It’ll be $50 at the door.)  

The tasting is scheduled to run from 6 to 8 p.m. and will feature small bites supplied by Stanton & Greene (think: canapés, fritters, sliders and skewered items) as well as specialty drinks created by:

  • Birch & Barley Chef Kyle Bailey (his “Rain When I Die” is expected to include dark rum, smoked cherries and blood orange).
  • Vidalia Chef Hamilton Johnson.
  • Mango Tree Chef Adrian Salazar.
  • Rural Society Chef Louis Goral.
  • Sticky Fingers Eats & Sweets/FareWell Founder Doron Petersan.
  • Jack Rose Dining Saloon Chef Russell Jones.
  • Juniper Chef Mariah Tysz (her “French Twist” should feature St. Germaine, vodka, cucumber water, lime and a lemongrass-ginger reduction).

An event organizer noted that Buttercream Bakeshop Founder Tiffany MacIsaac is also hard at work on a batch of “boozy desserts!”  

K Street Farm Dinner

DC Greens Advisory Board Member Maggie Gyllenhaal is bringing along younger brother and fellow film star Jake to the food advocacy group’s inaugural K Street Farm Dinner .  

The family-style feast, scheduled to take place June 2 at the non-profit’s urban garden (located on the corner of New Jersey Avenue and K Street Northwest), is expected to feature locally sourced dishes tag-teamed by some of the area’s gustatory heavies.  

Participating chefs, include:

  • Ruben Garcia of MiniBar.
  • Sunnyside Restaurant Group Founder and DC Food Policy Council Chairman Spike Mendelsohn.
  • Mike Friedman of The Red Hen.
  • Jeremiah Langhorne of The Dabney.
  • Voltaggio.
  • Restaurateur Mike Isabella.
  • MacIsaac.

Per organizers, celebrating fresh, wholesome ingredients is what it’s all about.  

“Some elements will be harvested from The K Street Farm and from school gardens across the District,” an event coordinator told CQ Roll Call. Cocktail guru Owen Thomson has been tasked with providing adult refreshments, while Charlottesville, Va.-based winery Early Mountain Vineyards will supply pours.  

Instead of arranging a separate auction, party planners constructed perks — including “Hot Tables” (dinner for four at China Chilcano or Kapnos), “Cool Experiences” (gelato making class at Dolcezza ) and “Unforgettable Events” (rooftop dinner for 10 at Rose’s Luxury , VIP passes to the 2016 sweetlife festival) — built-in to varying ticket packages. General admission starts at $250 per person, while a VIP pass (which includes a welcome reception and gift bag assembled by Salt & Sundry) will set you back $600.  

Reserve your seat at: dcgreens.org/farmdinner.  

Third Annual Dine-N-Dash

(Courtesy ThinkFoodGroup)
(Courtesy ThinkFoodGroup)

Seasoned coalition builder José Andrés aims to again turn the streets of DC into a playground for the epicurious courtesy of his homegrown Dine-N-Dash on June 9 .  

Now in its third year, the Penn Quarter-based taste-around boasts unfettered access to a dozen established eateries and participating food trucks, as well as an after party at the neighboring Carnegie Library, all in the name of providing much needed resources to Andrés’ global relief arm, World Central Kitchen.  

At press time, general admission tickets ($129) remained available for those content to get underway at Cuba Libre, Del Campo , Jaleo , Oya, Oyamel, The Partisan , Ping Pong Dim Sum, Poste Brasserie, Proof, SEI and Zaytinya. VIP passes ($299) — which entitle guests to complimentary pedicab service between the participating restaurants, exclusive access to specialty drinks/food at the ThinkFoodGroup properties and after-party — were still available for those looking to launch from Jaleo, Oyamel or Zaytinya.  

Per organizers, the after party will be larded up with extra special goodies, including:

  • Signature cocktails created by mirth makers at 2 Birds 1 Stone, El Camino (think: “instant” ginger beer spiked with jalapeno, and mezcal-fueled Old Fashions) and Mockingbird Hill.
  • Custom sweets whipped up by Dog Tag Bakery, Buzz Bakery and Pitango Gelato.
  • Craft beer service.
  • Performances by City of the Sun, the indie rockers staff Andrés apparently fell in love with at South by Southwest.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbXIfTrax48  

The culinary trek is slated to take place from 6 to 9 p.m. The after party is projected to rage on from 9 to 11 p.m.  

Moving forward, Andrés said he’d love to invite the rest of the world to the party.  

Score tickets on LivingSocial .  

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