An inaugural food charity event thrown
by seven celebrity chefs on Saturday also helped raise awareness for
gay marriage.
Openly gay Chef Art Smith's Capitol
Hill restaurant Art and Soul hosted the Chef's Ball, which drew a
sold-out crowd of more than 500 who shelled out $75 each for the
opportunity to sample food from some of the city's top chefs,
according to the AP.
Smith, who is based in Chicago, said
the Obamas have influenced America's food culture.
“Can that little garden at the White
House feed America? No. But you know what it can do? It can
inspire America,” Smith said. “Most importantly, it's that we as
Americans all deserve good food, regardless of economic, social
differences.”
With Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and
Modern Family actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson in attendance, the
event also highlighted Illinois' upcoming debate on marriage
equality. Quinn, a Democrat, has endorsed the effort. Ferguson, who
is openly gay, has, with his lawyer fiance Justin Mikita, lobbied
Illinois lawmakers on the issue and launched the non-profit
TieTheKnot.org. Wait staff at the event wore white bow ties from
Ferguson's organization to support passage of marriage equality in
Illinois.
(Related: Jesse
Tyler Ferguson, star of
Modern Family,
to lobby for Illinois gay marriage.)
Other chefs participating in the event
included Erik Bruner-Yang of Toki Underground, Scott Drewno of The
Source, Wes Morton of Art and Soul, Todd Gray of Equinox Restaurant,
Rock Harper of Central Kitchen
and Mike Isabella of Graffiato and Bandolero.