At a Capitol Hill reception last night, the March of Dimes announced that Bobbi Barrasso and Marty Hinojosa will serve as Gourmet Gala Co-chairs. Gourmet Gala is a fundraising dinner with a unique flavor. Members of Congress participate as celebrity chefs in a competitive cook-off, which exemplifies bipartisanship. Each serves guests hors d’oeuvres based on their own recipe. The evening also includes the presentation of six awards to winning congressional chefs as determined by chefs from Washington, D.C. restaurants.
Mrs. Barrasso and Mrs. Hinojosa will play an integral role raising awareness of the March of Dimes mission to prevent preterm birth, birth defects and infant mortality. They will assist in Gala planning efforts and congressional outreach. At the 2013 Gourmet Gala, Senator John Barrasso (WY) and Bobbi received the Easiest Preparation award. Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX) and Marty received the Best in Show award.
In addition, Dean Aguillen, principal, Ogilvy Government Relations, and Ken Cole, senior vice president of government relations, Pfizer, Inc., accepted the role of Gourmet Gala Finance Co-chairs. As finance committee leaders, they will help achieve the Gala’s fundraising goal of $1,000,000.
“I couldn’t be happier to have Bobbi, Marty, Dean and Ken as our Gala Chairs,” said Tina Cavucci, chapter director for the March of Dimes Maryland-National Capital Area Chapter. “Their commitment to improving the health of moms and babies is meaningful, and I am confident that their contributions will go a long way to make this year’s event a success.”
The 32nd Annual Gourmet Gala will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. All proceeds support March of Dimes research and programs that help women have full term pregnancies and healthy babies. More than 4 million babies are born in the United States each year, and the March of Dimes has helped each and every one through 75 years of research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs.
Last year, $927,000 was raised by more than 600 Gala attendees – including a record 44 Members of Congress who competed as chefs. Learn more about the March of Dimes and its Gourmet Gala. To view photos from previous Galas, please visit our Facebook Members of Congress photo gallery and event photo gallery.
Major sponsors of the 2014 Gourmet Gala currently include: Pfizer, Coca-Cola, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., The Hill and Washington Life Magazine.