Best Of Washington Party: Names and Faces

Washingtonian held its annual Best of Washington Party to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on July 21 at the National Building Museum.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Chris Leaman

Area chefs bring their most impressive dishes to the party. Here, Bibiana’s Nick Stefanelli portions out pasta.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Scott Suchman

Shaza Andersen, CEO of party sponsor WashingtonFirst Bank, and guests upstairs at the VIP party.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Tony Powell

Upstairs, guests snacked on trays of colorful cupcakes, while downstairs, ticket-holders got to test out the offerings of Washington’s confectionery competitors.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Tony Powell

And Coca-Cola helped wash all those food samples down.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Chris Leaman

Some guests worked up a sweat at arcade games.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Chris Leaman

Williams & Connolly’s Robert Barnett, USA Today Live Managing Editor Lauren Ashburn, and Washingtonian President Cathy Merrill Williams.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Tony Powell

Zaytinya’s Mike Isabella was one of many local Top Chef alumns working or relaxing at the Best of Washington party.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Scott Suchman

Some of the night’s offerings were a little intimidating!

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Chris Leaman

But most chefs served up bite-sized helpings, the better to let guests try lots of different dishes.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Scott Suchman

El Southerland, Niki Charles and Kelly and Jason Bough.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Tony Powell

The evening’s theme was the Greatest Party in Town. Guests got their drinks at bars decorated like arcade stands.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Chris Leaman

And circus performers roamed the crowd.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Chris Leaman

BMW had its latest models on display.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Chris Leaman

Washingtonian Style Setters Rich Amons and Sharon Dougherty showed the rest of the crowd how to make a splash.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Tony Powell

These brightly-colored lollipops were hot in demand.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Chris Leaman

PS 7 chef Peter Smith makes sure these serving spoons look just right.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Scott Suchman

Maryland candidate for Lieutenant Governor Mary Kane, Eleanor Merrill, National Building Museum president Chase Rynd, former Virgina Senator John Warner, and Washingtonian President Cathy Merrill Williams.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Tony Powell

Through the night, photo booth and crowd pictures were projected on the big screen.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Chris Leaman

If you were hungry for more than just a taste, some restaurants provided the equivalent of a full meal.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Scott Suchman

Top Chef contestant and local chef Timothy Dean and Washington, DC Deputy Mayor Valerie Santos.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Tony Powell

Chef’s weren’t the only one juggling a lot during the party.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Chris Leaman

As the sun went down, the National Building Museum lit up.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Chris Leaman

And guests lingered until the very end of the evening.

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Tony Powell

Best of Washington Party: Names and Faces

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Scott Suchman

Best of Washington Party: Names and Faces

Best of Washington Party Photograph by Scott Suchman