About

Chefs for Equality 2023 Theme

Plate of Emergency
“At Chefs for Equality, over 200 of Washington’s greatest chefs, bakers and mixologists create spectacular food and drinks in the name of full LGBTQ+ equality. This year’s theme, Plate of Emergency, calls attention to the state of emergency that the Human Rights Campaign has officially declared because of attacks on our most marginalized communities, including the transgender and non-binary community, people of color and women. The chef community stands at the ready to turn up the heat and 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 OVER 200 of 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 55 savory tasting stations and 30 crafted cocktail stations headed by renowned chefs and mixologists from the Greater D.C. area, as well as 13 personal chef tables — an opportunity to dine with celebrity chefs for a lavish five-course meal in the middle of the action. The DMV area's top pastry chefs prepare stunning show-piece cakes that will adorn the museum, and guests can sample these delectable pastries towards the end of the evening before heading out with a curated limited-edition goody bag chock-full of culinary goodies. In addition to impressive fare, live and silent auctions are also held.

New additions this year:

• Speed Diner meets Drag Brunch - Drag is not a crime, but this activation is so fun it feels illegal. An interactive entertainment experience where guests can purchase a time slot for a seat at the diner where they'll enjoy brunch-inspired bites, a specialty cocktail, and a top-notch drag performance
• Queerlada Shop - a cafe in the middle of the action featuring Latin-inspired savory dishes, pastries and libations curated by the popular D.C.-based Colada Shop Cuban Cafe & Bar
• Private Upper Tier champagne & caviar lounge - guests who purchase this ticket type can enjoy access to an exclusive space throughout the event with lounge seating, champagne, caviar & more

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 would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our Host Committee

David Hagedorn, Ashley Arias, Bonnie Benwick, Misi Cooney, Glendon Hartley, Anthony Hesselius, Mark Indre, AJ Johnson, Christine Kim, Aba Kwawu, Jackie Ludden, Nycci Nellis, Amber Pfau, Simone Rathle, JP Sabatier, Christopher Vazquez, Adra Williams

Special Thanks to our Event Design Partners

Christopher Vazquez & Rick Davis, Amaryllis Floral + Event Design