We are overwhelmed with gratitude that celebrity chefs Jeffrey Buben and Ris Lacoste were willing to reschedule from the blizzard and cook a spectacular meal to raise funds for Martha's Table and DC Central Kitchen.

The chef/owners of Ris Restaurant and Vidalia told us how they got into the business and how they started their own restaurants. The great meal was for a great cause: Martha's Table and DC Central Kitchen do so much for those in need in our city, serving so many meals, helping end hunger, and providing training in the culinary world for so many low-income people. And thanks to great volunteers Hannah Safford, Austin Brown and Rodney Hildebrand; the team from the restaurants, including sommelier Kenesha Hughes; and Mike Davis with his team.

Enjoying a delightful spring dish of Coho salmon, Kentucky ham, fava beans, pea tendrils, asparagus, cauliflower puree, and Béarnaise sauce: IOEDNA founder Chris Carlson, Amazon VP Teresa Carlson, Pocket Mentor founder Caren Merrick, Stacey Reynolds, Message Systems CEO Phillip Merrick, Cardinal Bank president Kevin Reynolds, Margot Machol, and Jayne Plank.

Eating delicious oyster and champagne stew with celery root cream, ham and chives: Tanya Meyer, construction king Tom McCullough, his daughter Kate, starchitect Shalom Baranes, interior designer Sherri Pellegrino, Gensler's Gigi Webb, and Brookfield SVP Greg Meyer.