Pretty In Pink Washingtonians Party At The Mayflower!

NORTHWEST -- Hundreds of the city’s foodies braved a sporadic series of spring showers yesterday evening to attend the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s 5th annual Pink Tie Party.

Guests donned their finest pink ties and springtime styles.
Held inside the stately walls of The Mayflower Renaissance Washington, D.C. hotel, last night’s celebration invited guests to don their finest “pink ties and springtime styles” for a truly unique culinary affair.

Dozens of the city’s top restaurants, including J&G Steakhouse, Kushi, LIMA Restaurant & Lounge, Mie N Yu, SEI, and BLT Steak had come together to prepare a series of creative cherry and blossom-inspired dishes and drinks, with all proceeds from the night benefiting the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Foodies feasted on the likes of spicy pork broth with rice cakes and cherry Hoisin sauce...
VIP ticketholders even had the opportunity to arrive a bit earlier for a private mix-and-mingle event presented by Veuve Clicquot, hosted by celebrity chef Richard Sandoval, and featuring 8 of D.C.’s top culinary talents.

Many of the city’s top chefs (and even a real “Top Chef All-Star”) volunteered their time, talent, and ingredients for the night.
Top Chef All-Star Mike Isabella had dishes of Crispy Pork Belly Ravioli with Cherry Tapenade from Graffiato ready for guests, while Nicholas Stefanelli plated out a cherry-themed version of Bibiana’s popular Bomba al Cioccolato dessert. And the table helmed by The Source’s Scott Drewno was picked clean by hungry fans long before the clock struck 8:00 p.m.

Tables weighed-down by all sorts of donated goodies (trips, sports memorabilia, etc.) lined the main corridor to the event, as part of the evening’s “Auction Spectacular” fundraising initiative. In a nod to the current humanitarian crisis affecting Japan, the festival’s organizers generously decided to donate 100% of the auction proceeds made above value to the Japan Relief Fund of the American Red Cross.

Plenty of live entertainment was on offer as well.
A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the beauty of nature and international friendship, the National Cherry Blossom Festival maintains year-round programs, events, and educational initiatives that enhance the area’s environment, showcase arts and culture, and build community spirit.

The key to a woman’s heart is through her taste buds apparently…
Eat, drink, and be cherry D.C.!