Dressed-down denim: In Canada it’s a tux, but in DC it’s squarely casual.

Except for the Blue Jeans Ball, a fabulous gala benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank. For 13 years running, this event has brought together chefs, mixologists, food artisans, and culinary greats to treat denim-clad guests to delicious bites and drinks. In fact, since its founding, the event has raised $2.3 million, providing almost six million meals to those in need in the DC area. The shiny new Marriott Marquis on Massachusetts Avenue played host this year, welcoming hundreds to partake in an evening of fine food, excellent cocktails, live music, and plenty of cheer on a chilly night.

The cheese stands alone

More than 40 restaurants and food purveyors lined the room, plating up delicacies and specialties. One particular area stood out for its pork-heavy focus: Café Dupont with its microgreen salad on adorable micro-spoons topped with prosciutto and figs, Lavagna with its soul-warming house-made whole-wheat radiator Bolognese, and River Bend Bistro & Wine bar serving delicate pork rillettes perched atop shatteringly crunchy chips. MeatCrafters also got into the pig game, serving four types of salami (locally sourced, small-batch, natch) from pig-shaped cutting boards.

Other highlights? The long line told the story at Sodexho’s station, where the talented chef held court, expertly slicing pistachio-and-herb-crusted lamb chop over chorizo potato confit. DGS gave us a brunch meal deconstructed: cherrywood smoked salmon tartar and a tiny dollop of everything-bagel aioli. Our final fave may have been from Tosca: finely sliced duck breast kissed with a heavenly foie mousse, a touch of sweet and earthy from an apple jam and sage leaves, and a mind-blowing marrow dust to top everything off. Vegetarians enjoyed a dreamy truffle-cauliflower velouté from Gravitas.

Emcee Scott Thuman of ABC News held sway, leading things off with a jeans-clad bam. Joining him on stage were the event’s co-chairs: Chef Ruth Gresser of Pizzeria Paradiso, Chef Sherry Yard of City Perch Kitchen, Cheff Jeff Buben of Vidalia, and Christopher Neal of Bar Dupont. He also invited up every representative chef to a hearty applause for such a good cause. While a silent auction took place below, he was followed by a vivacious live auction with culinary dream prizes like home-cooking events from the co-chairs. Finally, thrilling musical acts took to the stage, including a swaying gospel choir.

Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the cocktails. There was an entire corner dedicated to the craft, all focusing on brown liquors. Kapnos served up a refreshing whiskey punch touched up with cucumber water and The Pub and the People gave us a tropical whiskey-pineapple-lemon concoction; but we had second from Del Campo, giving us Bulleit bourbon with Peychaud’s bitters and a nice firm kick from rocoto chile syrup.

The food, the drinks, the company: it most certainly goes to show that just because it’s in a ballroom doesn’t mean we all need to wear ball gowns.

-ESC

I was lucky enough to have my best friend invite me to the Capital Area Food Bank’s 11^th Annual Blue Jeans Ball. Over 700 people attended! The Blue Jeans Ball is an exclusive charity and tasting event featuring some of DMV’s popular and well-recognized restaurants; they all come together to raise money to fight hunger in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. Not only did the event have awesome sponsors that helped raise money (Whole Foods Market contributed $25,000), there was also a silent and live auction for guests to partake in. Auction items included  a signed Redskins football, spa treatments, and cruise ship packages.

Fun fact: Michelle Obama was the Blue Jeans Ball’s honorary chair.

Sad fact: She did not attend the event.

Some of the participating restaurants and vendors included:

Cava Mezze, Chef Geoff’s and Lia’s, Dean & DeLuca, EPIC Smokehouse, The Fourth Estate, Hank’s Oyster Bar, La Tasca, Oyamel, PAUL Bakery, The Palm, Pinch Dumplings, Policy Restaurant and Lounge, Restaurant Nora, Sangam, Sonoma, SILO, The Melting Pot, Thrive DC, and much more.

Not only was I happy about the casual denim dress code (hence, the event name), everyone was genuinely passionate about the event because it benefits a great cause. Capital Area Food Bank did an absolute superb job in raising over $350,000 that night and I would definitely attend next year if I could afford the $200 ticket (or if my friend invites me again).

-EHY