by contributor Donna Shor
Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan
Once a year Barry Glassman, president of McLean’s Glassman Wealth Services, puts down the stock quotes and takes up a ladle in the effort to fight the illness affecting 700,000 plus brain tumor sufferers in the U.S.
Utilizing his culinary skills, he has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund research and offer comprehensive care to victims across the nation.
At Saturday night’s Twelfth Annual Chef Night, he succeeded yet again. As the event’s fame has spread, supporters jumped from 150 last year to 230 this year partying at The Powerhouse, a new venue in Georgetown big enough to hold the sizable crowd.
This is the repurposed building on Grace Street that housed the power source for the old paper mill nearly 100 years ago and later stored Georgetown’s streetcars. It’s a gorgeous space in industrial-chic style, with two huge floors and a terrific overlook down from the second – a great party venue.
The big commercial kitchen eased preparation for the elaborate dinner. All recipes were Glassman’s, with cooking help and desserts provided by Design Cuisine.
Guests at the Annual Chef Night fundraiser viewed bankroll-busting wines at the wine auction and enjoyed the lavish menu that the amateur, but-oh-so-talented, chef Barry created for the evening.
It’s a labor of love for Barry who does this for The National Brain Tumor Society, a cause for which he has spent half his life fund-raising and where he is on the board of directors.
Cindy Sanquist and Hillary Howard
Hillary Howard and Cindy Sanquist were two women at the fundraiser who knew better than most the importance of the cause. Hillary is the host of NBC’s “That’s Academic!” and is an afternoon anchor for WTOP. She explained to inquirers her relief that a CAT-scan after a bad fall revealed good news: no brain injury.
Barry Glassman with his parents, Ronnie and Norm Glassman.
“Unfortunately” the doctor continued, “there is some unexpected bad news. The CAT-scan showed a small tumor growing at the back of your brain.” “Out with it” Hillary said immediately, to get rid of this threat to her life. Happily the operation was successful, and its outcome was to benefit Cindy Sanquist, too.
Julie and Tristan Pelligrino with Jessica Ness
“We had become friends,” Cindy explained, “and she became my mentor, helping me every step of the way. She explained what to expect when I had my operation and saw me through it afterwards until my full recovery, just like hers.”
So the evening was a special joy for them, knowing their support will help others. Among the dinner guests were many of Barry’s clients at Glassman Wealth Services, as well as relatives and other friends including some down from New York for the event, including one couple from Park City, Utah.
Howard Cohen, Mary and Leo Fox
Preceding the dinner a specialty cocktail, a Pear Haymaker (pear vodka, lemon juice and ginger), was served and there was a champagne and popcorn bar loaded with three varieties: Parmesan Garlic with grated Parmesan and essence of sautéed garlic; truffled popcorn, and Zebra chocolate covered popcorn striped with white and dark chocolate.
Dean Brown, Steve Schwartz and Wendy Weinberger
The passed hors d’oeuvres were little fig compote and foie gras toast circles; quail eggs stuffed with crème frậiche and topped with black caviar, and Heirloom Tomato Tartlets, miniature pastry boxes filled with caramelized Vidalia onions, tomato confit and goat cheese “pearls.”
The first course was herb-crusted halibut with parsnip puree, basil powder and sherry syrup. For the pasta course came a velvety wonder: light as air Potato Gnocchi covered with the creamiest goat cheese sauce imaginable, studded with chanterelles, and the rarely-seen red lobster mushrooms.
Carol Urbach and Stanley Senders
For the entrée flavorful Angus short ribs that could be cut with a spoon paired nicely with a cheese/potato classic gratin dauphinois. Then came coffee and a fine display of desserts that finished the remarkable meal.
Good wines were served throughout the dinner and several wine lovers brought special bottles of their own they wished to share―and discuss―with their tablemates.
Kara Genderson and Scott Greenberg of Schneider’s of Capitol Hill liquor shop
A dazzling array of wines made up the silent auction offerings, topped by a 3-litre Opus One 1984 from Napa Valley. Signatures on the label reflected its creators, two legendary icons of the wine world: the late Robert Mondavi who pioneered the amelioration of California’s formerly nondescript wines, and the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild fame.
Michael Kosmides and Vince Borrelli, The lead singer for the band Joker’s Wild
There was a light-hearted party air throughout the dinner heightened by the excellent band, Jokers Wild, led by Vince Borelli.
At the end of the evening suddenly a vocalist was heard. Necks craned, it was Hillary Howard and she sounded great. If ever she wants to give up that anchor job.
