Art Smith and Wes Morton. Photograph by Moshe Zusman Photography.

The inauguration looms, and restaurateurs are shaking off the holiday hangovers to start prepping for their presidential parties. Among them: Art and Soul—Art Smith’s Southern-leaning restaurant in the Liaison Hotel on Capitol Hill—which will host a late night chef’s ball on January 19 where local toques will whip up treats in the wee hours.

Art and Soul chef Wes Morton is teaming up with Smith to co-chair the event. The two men are donating their time and resources to benefit Common Threads, the Smith-founded charity that teaches nutrition and well-being to underprivileged kids. Proceeds from the party will go to additional charities picked by the five guest chefs participating. They are: Toki Underground’s Erik Bruner-Yang; Mike Isabella (Graffiato, Bandolero); Scott Drewno of the Source; Rock Harper, director of kitchen operations for D.C. Central Kitchen; and Todd Gray of Equinox and Watershed.

The chef’s ball will be one of the last chances to see Art and Soul in its current iteration—it closes January 22 for a renovation by Seattle firm Dawson Design Associates.

Designed as an afterparty to the glitzy galas that will be taking place all over town, the event will kick off with a VIP gathering at 10:30 on the heated patio of the restaurant; general admission begins at 11 PM and costs $75—a fee that includes open bar access, dancing, and food. To attend both the VIP party and the main event, you will need to donate $125. Advance ticket purchase is required.

You might also enjoy:
Only Two “Official” Inaugural Balls, Down From Ten in 2009
Art and Soul Will Temporarily Close for a Remodel After the Inauguration