The first day of February threatened to bring a major weather event to D.C., but in the end, the dogs had their day. More than 500 Washingtonians — and many of their four-legged friends — turned up to support the Washington Humane Society’s 10th Annual Sugar and Champagne Affair held at the Ritz-Carlton Tuesday evening.
Top chefs, including Carla Hall from Alchemy and Art Smith from Art & Soul, were on hand dishing out delectables. D.C. food trucks including D.C. Slices and the Red Hook Lobster Truck were invited to participate in the event and graciously donated half their sales to the WHS.
“The food trucks are a first ever in the D.C. fundraising equation and have never before been invited to exclusive restaurant events,” said Ellen Kassoff Gray, co-owner of Equinox and founder of Sugar and Champagne. “There have been a lot of restaurants fighting the food trucks but we extended an olive branch. Plus, it is the ultimate dog-friendly dining.”
If only Congress could compromise like that.
With more than 40 restaurants in attendance, the variety of confections was exquisite. Chef Art Smith, a first-time participant, said he was delighted by the turnout. Smith said he “loves people that love animals. It shows character.”
Smith, an owner of five cats, three dogs and a turtle, brought his signature cupcakes including his favorite, the Hummingbird Cake, which he called the “Tweet.”
Todd Gray, chef extraordinaire at Equinox, debuted some coming attractions from his new culinary establishment opening in April, Todd Gray’s Watershed. When asked what would make Watershed stand out from other restaurants, Gray told us, “Personality. We make food that pops.”
The event, which awards field service officers and humane educators for exemplary service on behalf of mistreated and abandoned animals, raised about $40,000 in proceeds including a silent auction. How about those bones?
