Inauguration 2013 festivities are underway and celebrity Chef Art Smith, famous for his appearance on Top Chef and now the co-owner of five restaurants, is celebrated the event with a "Chef's Ball" Saturday night.
Smith is pairing up with five other celebrity chefs from the D.C. area that will create late-night bites for the event.
The late-night occasion was hosted by Smith's Capitol Hill restaurant "Art and Soul." Proceeds from the event will be donated to various charitable organizations of each chef's choice.
"What's wonderful about this occasion was, and in harmony and celebration and philosophy with the first family, is bringing chefs together for one wonderful common thread," Smith said in an interview with CNN. "Chefs can do wonderful things and each chef is cooking their heart out for something they believe in."
The other chefs participating in the event are also D.C. celebrities:
- Erik Bruner-Yang of "Toki Underground"
- Scott Drewno of "The Source"
- Todd Gray of "Equinox Restaurant"
- Rock Harper of "D.C. Central Kitchen"
- Mike Isabella of "Graffiato", "Kapnos", "G" and "Bandolero"
Smith chose to donate to the charitable organization Common Threads, an organization that aims to educate children on the importance of nutrition and physical well-being.
Other charities that will benefit from the event are the Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center, The Cambodian Children's Fund and the James Beard Foundation.
"What's wonderful is that we come together in unity and that the fact that food has the ability to do such great things," Smith told CNN.
Smith's restaurant will also be operating under extended hours during the inauguration festivities up until Obama's ceremonial swear-in on Monday. A condensed version of their menu will be available during that time featuring top picks from their lunch and dinner selections.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
