About

Thank you to all of our participants and attendees for making our eighth annual Chefs for Equality an incredible success!

Chefs for Equality 2019 Theme
Stirred, Not Shaken
“At Chefs for Equality, over 150 of Washington’s greatest chefs, bakers and mixologists create spectacular food and drinks in the name of full LGBTQ equality. This year’s theme, Stirred, Not Shaken, means that rather than be cowed by attacks on our most marginalized communities — including immigrants, the transgender and non-binary community, people of color and women — the chef community will fight even harder to protect and promote equality.” - David Hagedorn, food writer and Chefs for Equality Co-Chair


More About Chefs for Equality
Chefs for Equality brings together the capital region's top chefs, pastry chefs and mixologists for an evening of food, cocktails and music to benefit the fight for full LGBTQ equality. The event features savory tasting and drink stations headed by renowned chefs and mixologists from the D.C.-area, as well as 12 personal chef tables — an opportunity to dine with celebrity chefs for a lavish five-course meal in the middle of the action during the evening. In addition to impressive fare, live and silent auctions are also held.

Chefs for Equality is an event to advance the fight for LGBTQ equality through the work of the HRC Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization.

The HRC Foundation works to educate the public and provides training and model policies that alter the fundamental nature of the institutions that govern the everyday lives of LGBTQ people everywhere. The HRC Foundation touches every aspect of LGBTQ life with programs that target our most sensitive and vulnerable interactions:

  • Helping with equal access to adoption and foster care

  • Creating respectful and supportive school environments

  • Helping healthcare providers increase LGBTQ competency

  • Engaging in dialogue around LGBTQ equality in faith communities

  • Helping corporate America adopt inclusive workplace policies and practices

  • Leveraging our domestic work to have an international impact

The HRC Foundation enhances the lived experiences of LGBTQ people and their families by changing hearts and minds across the country and beyond.

Chefs for Equality; Goody bag; Washington National Cathedral; Salt and Sundry


Thank you to our fantastic 2019 Host Committee for your hard work and dedication
David Hagedorn, Ashley Arias, Bonnie Benwick, Misi Cooney, Glendon Hartley, Anthony Hesselius, Mark Indre, Aba Kwawu, Jackie Ludden, Amanda McClements, Nycci Nellis, Troy Petenbrink, Amber Pfau, Simone Rathle, Maria Trabocchi, Christopher Vazquez, Adra Williams, Sara Williams

David Hagedorn; Chefs for Equality

Event Design

Christopher Vazquez & Rick Davis, Amaryllis Floral + Event Design

Chefs for Equality; Amaryllis Floral + Event Design

Chefs for Equality; Washington National Cathedral; Amaryllis Floral + Event Design

A Look at Our 2019 Event

Hear From 2018 Participants

Scenes From Our 2017 Event