29th annual March of Dimes Gourmet Gala
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Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) and Mary Sessions serve up fancy pimento cheese
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Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas) and Linda McCaul made Guadalupe chicken
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Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Jill Cooper Udall, with their smoked trout and huckleberry remoulade in new potatoes
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Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) and his wife Vicki Risch won top culinary honors Wednesday night at the 29th annual March of Dimes Gourmet Gala and cooking competition, held at the National Building Museum.
The Rischs beat out more than three dozen lawmakers and their spouses to win the evening's Best in Show Award for their recipe for Pistachio Crusted Idaho Rainbow Trout with Cilantro Orange Hollandaise Sauce.
Each of the participating members of Congress served samples of an original recipe to the more than 350 guests, and prizes in a number of categories were awarded after stringent judging by professional chefs.
The evening's Best Presentation Award went Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Diane Nelson, for their Cucumber Cups with Creamy Salmon Whip, while the relatively new category of Health and Happiness was awarded to Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) and his wife, Jeann Lamborn, for a Velvet Asparagus Soup.
Dean of the House Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) and Debbie Dingell won the Best American Regional Cuisine Award for their Michigan Cherry BBQ Meatballs, while the honors for Easiest Preparation went to Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) and Carolina Reyes for their Avocado Bacon Roasted Corn and Jalapeno Salsa, which was a huge hit with guests.
Lastly, the newly added People’s Choice Award for the night belonged to Rep. Fred S. Upton (R-Mich.) and his wife, Amey Upton, for their Braised Short Ribs with Parsnip Purée.
The gala was chaired by Gayle Wicker, wife of Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Libby Doggett, wife of Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), and this year's theme was “39 Weeks: A Recipe for a Healthy Baby.” In total, the event raised more that $850,000 for the March of Dimes.
— Report and photographs by Christina Wilkie
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Alfredia Scott and Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) made crab strudel | 
Barbara Levin and Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) serve asparagus nibbles |
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) offered up beef satay with spicy peanut sauce
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Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Abby Blunt pose with their croque monsieur | 
Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Bobbi Barrasso scored a hit with guacamole, cheese, and green chile pie |
Charlene Lugar and Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) cooked up "Historic Pigs in a Blanket"
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Reigning champion Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) made tomato bisque with sea salt gougeres
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Suzanne Conaway and Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) made sausage pizza rounds
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Franki Roberts and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) serve coconut shrimp with dipping sauce
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"Chef" Geoff Tracy, one of the evening's celebrity judges |
Nikki, Lauren, and Densel Flemming, the March of Dimes 2011 Ambassador Family
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From left: Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Dr. Libby Doggett, Mrs. Gayle Wicker and Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) |
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