Written by Amanda Minimi, Aeroflow Health
A Night of Culinary Excellence for a Worthy Cause
On May 15, 2024, Aeroflow Health proudly partnered with the March of Dimes at the 42nd Annual Gourmet Gala. Held at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, this prestigious event brought together 55 Members of Congress, over 700 guests, and a panel of renowned local chefs, all united by a common goal: to support new moms and babies across the nation. This year’s event was a resounding success, raising a record-breaking $1.47 million to further the March of Dimes’ advocacy, research, and educational efforts.
The Gourmet Gala: More Than Just a Cook-Off
The Gourmet Gala is no ordinary event; it’s a vibrant celebration of hope and resilience. Members of Congress took center stage in a spirited cook-off competition, showcasing their culinary prowess and serving up their favorite dishes. Their creations were judged by a panel of esteemed local chefs, including Chef Pepe Moncayo of Cranes, Chef Robbie Meltzer of Jose Andres Group, Chef Matt Baker of Gravitas and Michele’s, and Chef Gabe Thompson of Thompson Italian.
The evening also featured the heartwarming story of the Donaldson Family, who shared their emotional journey of welcoming their son Carter into the world at just 25 weeks, weighing a mere 12 ounces. Their story highlighted the critical role that the March of Dimes plays in providing support and resources to families with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Culinary Competition Winners
The event’s culinary competition saw Members of Congress vying for top honors in various categories:
- Easiest Preparation: Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) and Dr. Marcia Latta with their Oreo Victory Dessert
- Hometown Hero: Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) with her Tater Tot Casserole
- Healthiest Recipe: Rep. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Mrs. Ann Scott with their Wild Rice Chicken Salad
- Judge’s Choice: Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) and Mrs. Corinne Goldman with their Challa
- Best Presentation: Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) and Mrs. Sarah Landsman with their Shrimp Louis
- People’s Choice: Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA) and Mrs. Vivian Bishop with Grandma Betty’s Yellow Corn Grits & Southern Style Spicy Shrimp
A Community United
Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, President and CEO of March of Dimes, expressed her gratitude: “Our annual Gourmet Gala is more than a culinary event, it’s a celebration of hope and resilience for families across the US. We’re incredibly grateful for the support of our Congressional Chefs, sponsors, attendees, and volunteers who make these events possible—their generosity allows us to continue to fight to improve health outcomes for all moms and babies.”
Aeroflow Health’s involvement in the Gourmet Gala underscores our commitment to supporting organizations dedicated to health and well-being. As a company, we believe in making a positive impact in the communities we serve, and our partnership with the March of Dimes is a testament to that commitment.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, Aeroflow Health remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that advocate for the health and wellness of families nationwide. Our partnership with the March of Dimes is just one example of how we strive to make a difference.
To learn more about the March of Dimes Gourmet Gala and to see photos from the event, please visit marchofdimes.org/gourmetgala.
Together, we can continue to champion the cause of healthy moms and strong babies.
Amanda Minimi, Aeroflow Health
Amanda is the Director of Corporate Development at Aeroflow Healthcare, the largest provider of breastfeeding equipment and services in the nation. Amanda has led Aeroflow Healthcare's health plan partnership initiatives where there collaboration-based solutions have led to better outcomes through high patient engagement and increased instances and duration of breastfeeding. Amanda also serves as the co-chair of AAHomeCare's Breastfeeding Coalition, a team that works with states and health plans to advocate to reduce barriers in access to breastfeeding.
