Lawmakers cook off for charity

Fifty lawmakers shared their favorite dishes in a charity cook-off for the March of Dimes’ 33rd annual Gourmet Gala in Washington on Wednesday.

Guests mingled with congressional representatives and their spouses at the National Building Museum to sample risotto, coconut shrimp, oatmeal cookies and more.

Members submitted their recipes to caterers, who kept the hors d’oeuvres flowing and served the competing dishes throughout the night.  

{mosads}“We’ll probably raise about a million dollars,” said Jennifer Howse, president of the March of Dimes Foundation. The event raised about $900,000 last year.

But Howse refused to play favorites with the chefs.

“I love all the dishes, just in the same way that I love all the elected officials that come here and cook for us,” she told The Hill. “I’m gonna let those expert judges decide [the winner].”

The easiest preparation award this year went to Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), for her crunchy and addictive brown sugar bacon skewers.

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and his wife Kris Toomey took home the easiest preparation award last year for their baked honey-raisin brie last year.

“I’ve been making it for years. Everyone likes it, and it’s easy, like five ingredients,” said Kris Toomey, whose family handed down the recipe. “I was trying to find something different [for this year’s competition], but everyone loves this.”

Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) took home the best presentation award for his chicken potpie. Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) snagged the healthy choice award for his lemon pepper chicken with chili peppers, while Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) won the people’s choice award for his curried chicken balls.

Best in show went to Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) for his Bavarian apple tart.

Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga.) said the birth of his eighth grandchild earlier Wednesday morning highlighted the importance of the charity event.

“It’s about moms and children, and in support of their health,” Allen said.

“I get emotional, but I‘ve got eight grandchildren, and they are all as healthy as they can be, and you don’t know what that means to a granddaddy,” he continued. It’s everything. We’ve been so fortunate. … That little grandchild is why I’m here.”

The Hill served as a media sponsor of the event.