Hundreds of foodies and philanthropists gathered in DC the weekend of January 27-28 for Sips & Suppers, a two-day culinary event designed to raise awareness of food insecurity and raise vital funds for DC Central Kitchen and Martha’s Table. This year, the combined events raised over $650,000, providing significant funding for our two organizations.
On Saturday, January 27th, nearly 1,000 guests poured into the Newseum for Sips, where they enjoyed the region’s finest food and drink, prepared by acclaimed chefs, restaurants, mixologists, and distilleries. MGM National Harbor sponsored the 6th floor lounge at the Newseum, which included passed bites from FISH by José Andrés, Voltaggio Brothers Steak House, Ginger, and Bellagio Patisserie. MGM National Harbor also sponsored three “Partyvators,” offering a one-of-a-kind elevator experience.
The JetBlue Lounge returned to Sips again this year, offering cocktails from Gina Chersevani passed throughout the space on airplane bar carts. Other participating restaurants supporting Sips included Alta Strada, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Rappahannock River Oysters, Radiator, Oyamel, and many more.
VIP guests enjoyed early entry to the exclusive VIP lounge, indulging in a selection of cocktails and dishes from some of DC’s most anticipated restaurants of 2018, including Coconut Club, Bresca, The Salt Line, and RASA. Congressional Seafood hosted a seafood tower for the exclusive gathering, where VIP guests also enjoyed an exclusive spirit tasting from DC distillery Jos. A. Magnus & Co., wines from Gustafson Family Vineyards, and cava from Winebow’s Mundo Vino and Juvé & Camps properties. Sips & Suppers co-chairs Joan Nathan, and Alice Waters rubbed elbows in the VIP suite and later shared personal remarks from the event stage about what the two organizations, and what fighting hunger of the last 10 years has meant to them.
On Sunday, January 28th, philanthropists across DC came together for Suppers prepared by the nation’s most acclaimed chefs in the homes of over 35 generous hosts.
Sips & Suppers is the brainchild of culinary greats José Andrés, Joan Nathan, and Alice Waters, who began the event in 2009 as a means of raising awareness about hunger and poverty in the District of Columbia. Now in its 10th anniversary year, this extraordinary fundraiser unites some of our nation’s greatest chefs with a growing community of local philanthropists and activists in support of DC Central Kitchen and Martha’s Table.
Since its inception, Sips & Suppers has raised nearly $3.7 million for our two nonprofits. This generous investment has helped DC Central Kitchen prepare 22 million healthy, balanced meals for DC kids and families, while equipping nearly 1,000 men and women with the skills needed to overcome histories of incarceration, homelessness, and trauma and pursue culinary careers. At Martha’s Table, these funds have directly impacted children, families, and neighbors. Over the past 10 years, Martha’s Table has supported over 5,000 students and families with high quality education and family supports, and provided over 6 million healthy meals to neighbors through our community supports and Joyful Food Market programs.