WASHINGTON, May 25, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — United States Senators and Representatives united for an evening of friendly competition for a great cause at the 35^th Annual March of Dimes Gourmet Gala. Forty-eight Members of Congress participated in a competitive cook-off on Tuesday night at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The Celebrity Chefs served their favorite recipes to the over 600 attendees while helping to raise $1,123,000 for March of Dimes programs and research.

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Special guests at the event were Senator Tom Cotton and Anna Cotton who shared the story of their son’s Daniel’s birth and two week stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Legacy Chefs were also honored during the evening for participating as Celebrity Chefs for ten or more years. Legacy Chefs included: Representative Robert Aderholt and Mrs. Caroline Aderholt (AL), Representative Sanford Bishop and Mrs. Vivian Bishop (GA), Senator Roy Blunt and Mrs. Abigail Blunt (MO), Representative Debbie Dingell (MI), Senator Pat Roberts and Mrs. Franki Roberts (KS), Representative Mike Thompson and Mrs. Janet Thompson (CA), and Senator Tom Udall and Mrs. Jill Cooper Udall (NM).

At the end of the evening, the following six awards were presented:

• Judge’s Choice – Senator John Barrasso and Mrs. Bobbi Barrasso (WY), Roosevelt Beans
• People’s Choice – Senator Roy Blunt and Mrs. Abigail Blunt (MO), Pan Seared Scallops with Wilted Spinach, Bacon Jam, and Spiced Pecans
• Healthiest Recipe – Senator Mazie Hirono and Mrs. Leighton Kim Oshima (HI), Mazie Hirono’s Hawaii Kimchi Recipe
• Hometown Hero – Representative Steve Scalise (LA), Shrimp Etouffee
• Best Presentation – Representative Adrian Smith and Mrs. Andrea Smith (NE), White Chili  
• Easiest Preparation – Representative Mike Thompson and Mrs. Janet Thompson (CA), Roasted Maple Herb Nuts

Gourmet Gala Co-Chairs were Caroline Aderholt (AL), Vivian Bishop (GA), Colleen Ochoa Peters (MI) and Gayle Wicker (MS), and Finance Co-Chairs were Debbie Marshall, Chevron, and Erskine Wills, BGR Group.

Serving as Celebrity Judges were Washington, D.C. area acclaimed chefs: Chef Ris Lacoste of RIS, Chef Ethan McKee of Urbana, Chef Hamilton Johnson of Honeysuckle, Chef Danny Lee of Mandu and Chiko, Chef Scott Drewno of Chiko, and John Rorapaugh of Ivy City Smokehouse and Tavern.

To learn more about March of Dimes Gourmet Gala, including a list of Congressional chefs and event photos, please visit marchofdimes.org/gourmetgala.

Sponsors of the 35^th Annual Gourmet Gala include: Samsung, Presenting Sponsor; Bentley Motors USA/Volkswagen Group of America and National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation, Title Sponsors; Chevron, Signature Sponsor; Aflac, BGR Group, Inc., BlueCross BlueShield Association, BNSF Railway, CVS Health, Intrexon Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, S&P Global, and United Technologies Corporation, Regional Sponsors; and The Hill, National Journal, The Umbrella Syndicate, and The Washington Diplomat, Media Sponsors.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and health information, visit our websites marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org. For detailed national, state and local perinatal statistics, visit peristats.org. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

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SOURCE March of Dimes