Spotlight | Culture | WD
Diplomatic Spotlight
January 2017
March of Dimes Signature Chefs Gala
Sustained Dialogue Institute Gala
The Maryland-National Capital Area Chapter of March of Dimes held its 20th annual Signature Chefs Gala on Nov. 2 at the Ritz-Carlton in D.C., raising over $225,000 to support the nonprofit’s mission to prevent premature childbirth. The premier social event highlighting the city’s culinary masters brought together over 40 of the area’s celebrated chefs, mixologists, bartenders and vintners for an evening of wine, cocktails and dining, along with an expansive auction. Every year more than 15 million babies are born prematurely; 1 million will die before their first birthday as a result.
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was honored at the Sustained Dialogue Institute Gala on Nov. 17 at the National Press Club for her lifetime dedication to the highest ideals of cautious change and thoughtful jurisprudence. The first Global Peacemaker Award was also presented by Librarian of Congress Emeritus James Billington to Susan Carmel Lehrman for her efforts to promote cultural relations, particularly with Russia.
Executive chef Joe Palma of Bourbon Steak, left, prepares chestnut soup with white truffles, garam masala and tasted pepitas.
Diane Mullins, Jim Dougherty, Mary Jane Dougherty, Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthare Mid Atlantic Health Plan Christopher Mullins and Tammy O’Hare.
George O’Hare, Laura Furgione of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Ricky Levine.
“Top Chef” alum Jennifer Carroll of Requin presents her deviled lamb rillettes.
Pastry chef Erin Reed of DBGB Kitchen and Bar.
Jack Rose Dining Saloon offers its Highland Folk-Lour made with 12-year Aberlour single-malt whisky.
Chef Danny Lee of Mandu prepares Korean shrimp cracker.
Andrew Gelfuso of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, embassy liaison Jan Du Plain, President of the Eurasia Center Gerard J. Janco and his wife.
Joanna Athanasopoulos Owen, president of the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW), and Sheila Switzer, AAFSW program chair.
Wife of the Botswana ambassador Changu Mazana, Ambassador of Botswana John David Newman of Botswana, embassy liaison Jan Du Plain and Vincent Orange, the new president of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce.
Honorary cocktail chair Jo-Jo Valenzuela prepares drinks. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (seated), former D.C. Council Member Carol Schwartz, gala chair Judith Terra of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, gala honorary chair Ambassador Andrew Young (seated) and Hilda McIntosh.
Neonatologist Robin Baker and Sara Donahue, NICU family support specialist with March of Dimes.
John Rorapaugh of Sustainability Profish, Jennifer Reswick Williams and Steve Uhr of Schlow Restaurant Group.
Chef Matteo Venini, right, of Lupo Verde prepares charred baby octopus. Shahin Mafi of the Azar Foundation for Children and Home Health Connection, gala chair Judith Terra and Dame Pamela Gordon Banks.
Lebanese-Palestinian Performance The General Delegation of the PLO to the United States, in cooperation with Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies and the Ramallah Club of Washington D.C., hosted a live performance at Georgetown featuring the two renowned performers, Lebanese singer Oumeima El Khalil and Palestinian poet Marwan Makhoul.
Photos: PLO General Delegation
Saba Shami of Washington Works LLC, honoree Khalil Aburish and PLO Chief Representative Maen Rashid Areikat.
Egyptian Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Wael Hamed, Jordanian Embassy Counselor Anas Oran, Omani Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Ahmed Al Saidi, Khalil Aburish, Ambassador of Tunisia Fayçal Gouia and Jamil Shami.
Photos: Patricia McDougall
Lebanese singer Oumeima El Khalil and Palestinian poet Marwan Makhoul.
President of the Sustained Dialogue Institute Rev, Mark Farr, philanthropist Susan Carmel Lehrman, Librarian of Congress Emeritus James Billington and presenter Thomas Noll. THE WASHINGTON DIPLOMAT | January 2017 | 43