Join us for An Evening with Celtic Chefs
The fourteenth installment of WIP’s annual Evening with Celtic Chefs will feature fantastic Chefs from the DC area offering delicious samples of their signature preparations served with an Irish flair. The Chefs will showcase their creativity alongside an exciting lineup of VIP Celebrity Sous Chefs hailing from the fields of politics, journalism, business, and the Irish American community.
And we're delighted to announce that Samantha Barry, Editor In Chief and Global Editorial Director at Glamour, will accept the Spirit of WIP Award!
Jean Schindler, DC On Tap"A bit of blarney, some bipartisan peacemaking and some seriously swoonworthy food – the best of all of DC’s worlds collide in An Evening with Celtic Chefs"
All proceeds benefit the Washington Ireland Program, a 501(c)(3) organization. See below for sponsorship packages and information.
Date: Thursday June 4th, 2026
Location: 905 16th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20006
VIP Reception: 6 – 7pm (Award Presentation)
Main Reception: 7 – 9pm
Honoring
Samantha Barry
Samantha Barry is the Global Editorial Director of Glamour, overseeing the brand’s editorial vision and content strategy across the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, Spain, and Germany.
Since assuming the role in October 2024, she has led Glamour’s transformation into a dynamic, digital-first global media brand – amplifying diverse voices, sparking cultural conversation, and driving record audience growth. Under Barry’s leadership, Glamour has produced powerful, agenda-setting journalism, including an international investigation into child marriage in collaboration with Amal Clooney, Michelle Obama, and Melinda French Gates; sustained advocacy and award-winning journalism on paid family leave in the U.S.; and the expansion of the Women of the Year franchise into a global platform celebrating changemakers.
Prior to her appointment as Global Editorial Director, Barry served as Glamour America’s editor-in-chief for seven years. During her tenure, she has overseen the brand’s most talked-about covers, including the viral Women of the Year cover featuring Tina Knowles, Maggie Baird, Donna Kelce, and Mandy Teefy, celebrating the community and tenacity of motherhood in raising the world’s biggest stars. Barry has also extended Glamour’s reach through original formats such as the podcast She Makes Money Moves and the YouTube series We Need to Talk, creating smart, resonant content that connects with audiences across platforms and generations.
Before joining Glamour, Barry served as Executive Producer for Social and Emerging Media at CNN, where she led global social strategy and helped the network earn its first Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Social Media. She began her journalism career with RTE in Ireland and BBC in London, and later reported from Papua New Guinea for the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), covering complex political and social issues with an international lens.
Barry holds an Honorary Doctorate from Ulster University and has received multiple accolades for her contributions to journalism and media innovation. She serves on the board of Room to Read, a global nonprofit focused on girls’ literacy and education, and is a dedicated advocate for women’s leadership, media literacy, and mentorship.
With a career that spans continents, platforms, and public discourse, Samantha Barry brings global fluency, editorial excellence, and strategic insight to one of the world’s most iconic media brands.
SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
VIP Sponsor ~ $25,000
Covering the costs of our Student Scholarships in 2026.
- Naming Rights for the VIP Reception.
- 15 event tickets including VIP Reception.
- Special logo/listing recognition during the event.
- Invitation to special events hosted by WIP in Washington, D.C. and across the island of Ireland in 2026.
Culinary Sponsor ~ $15,000
Covering the costs of Residential Leadership Training Programs across the island of Ireland in 2026.
- Naming Rights for at one of our Celebrity Chefs stations at the event.
- 12 event tickets including VIP Reception.
- Special logo/listing recognition during the event.
- Invitation to special events hosted by WIP in Washington, D.C. in 2026.
Distillery Sponsor ~ $10,000
Supporting our WIP Academy Program in 2026.
- Naming Rights for one of our Irish Whiskey or Bar Stations at the event.
- 8 event tickets including VIP Reception.
- Special logo/listing recognition during the event.
- Invitation to special events hosted by WIP in Washington, D.C. in 2026.
Brewing Sponsor ~ $5,000
Supporting our Alumni Programs across the island of Ireland in 2026.
- 6 event tickets including VIP Reception.
- Logo/listing recognition during the event.
- Invitation to special events hosted by WIP in Washington, D.C. in 2026.
Baking Sponsor - $2,500
Supporting our recruitment and outreach across the island of Ireland in 2026.
- 4 event tickets including VIP Reception.
- Logo/listing recognition during the event.
Ambassador Tickets - $1,000
Covering the flight costs of one student in 2026.
- 2 event tickets including VIP Reception.
Event Tickets - $200
- 1 ticket for the Main Event from 7-9pm
Our Sponsors
meet our celebrity chefs
NIALL DUFFY
Two and a half irishmen
Niall Duffy has been part of WIP’s Celtic Chefs since 2014!
Niall Duffy is the owner and lead baker at Two and a Half Irishmen in Richmond, Virginia. Originally from Ireland, Duffy moved to the states in 2009 with his wife and sons, and soon after opened his home bakery in Richmond’s West End selling the same scrumptious and savory treats his mother taught him to make as a child back in Ireland. He now shares these recipes with his two sons, who make up the “half” Irishmen in the business’ catchy moniker. Duffy is known throughout central Virginia for his scones and variations of the traditional Irish soda bread, which are all prepared with organic, locally sourced ingredients and preservative free. Duffy bakes in home and travels throughout the week to sell his treats at local farmer’s markets in the Richmond area.
CAROLINE JOHNSTON
GreenIsland Bakery
Caroline is an International Business Executive with over 15 years of successful managerial and business development experience in various sectors in Europe and the Americas. Caroline completed her MBA in Spanish at EUDE in Spain. She also obtained a BA in Management from ESC Business School in France and an MA in International Business and Languages from Heriot Watt University, Scotland. Caroline is multilingual and is a certified Coach with a specialist focus on leadership for women and positive psychology. In 2019, she established Caroline Sarah Ventures LLC , which provides consulting & coaching services that focus on motivating and developing customized pathways to success. Most recently, Caroline launched a new venture GreenIsland Bakery, an Irish & European Specialty Bakery in DC. Partnering with Union Kitchen, she launched a shortbread range in multiple retail stores and has set up various partnerships with nonprofit organizations to serve the local community.
Alex Vasquez
RARE STEAKHOUSE & TAVERN
Growing up in a family that loves food, Alex found himself wanting to pursue a career as a chef from an early age. Upon graduating from a culinary school and working as a chef in several fine-dining restaurants, Alex joined RARE Steakhouse & Tavern as a Chef De Cuisine in 2019. Thanks to his vast professional experience and a huge passion for cooking, it was not too long before Alex was promoted to the rank of Executive Chef. Year after year, Alex has ensured that his prominent culinary program stood out from the rest, helping to establish RARE Steakhouse & Tavern as one of the premier dining experiences in the center of downtown, Washington, D.C.
Sarah White
Cofounder, Managing Partner, Westover Taco and Chief Operating Officer, Lost Dog Café Group
Sarah White’s path to restaurant ownership began long before she opened her first restaurant, Westover Taco in Arlington just over a year ago. With more than two decades in the industry, she brings deep experience in hospitality and operations to her first restaurant—and a love of blending her Irish and English family heritage with the bold creativity of Executive Chef Alex Aleman to create something unique all their own.
When she’s not at Westover Taco, Sarah can be found overseeing four other neighborhood favorites as COO of the Lost Dog Café Group, including locations in McLean, South Arlington, Dunn Loring, as well as Cowboy Café.
Based in Fairfax with her husband Bryan, Sarah also plays a leading role in Virginia’s restaurant and travel and tourism community. She serves on multiple boards and associations, and is a dedicated advocate for local hospitality, business, and philanthropic efforts.
While operating five restaurants, including her own, is more than a busy full time job, Sarah and her partners are already on the lookout for Westover Taco’s next location!
Darren Hendry
J. Hollinger's
Inspired by his mother’s love of cooking and desire to be the consummate host, Darren Hendry found a natural home in the culinary arts. He trained at Telford College in his native Edinburgh, Scotland, and arrived in the US in 1989. Career highlights include his time spent working at the New York Restaurant Group alongside David Burke, winner of the prestigious “Meilleur Ouvrier de France d’Honneur”, his six plus years as the executive chef at Bobby Van’s in D.C. and more recently his role as Consulting Executive Chef with Star Restaurant Group and at J. Hollinger's Waterman's Chophouse in Silver Spring, MD.
Meet the producers
This year we're excited to add some of Ireland and Northern Ireland's quality producers for samplings at Celtic Chefs including:
Washington Ireland Program
OUR IMPACT
For over three decades, the Washington Ireland Program (WIP) has played an important role in post-conflict Northern Ireland and Ireland by bringing together leaders from a wide range of communities and backgrounds for outstanding leadership and skills-development programs. WIP’s aim is to support, inspire and develop leaders who are committed to building a future of peace and prosperity for Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Each year, 30 full-time Higher Education students are chosen to take part in our year-long Emerging Leaders Program. With a focus on personal development, policy debate, public discussion and community service, the program includes a high-profile eight-week work placement in Washington DC, as well as a week-long study visit to New York City.
Operating since 1995, over 1,000 Alums have graduated from the WIP Emerging Leaders Program. Bringing powerful new voices and vigor to the debates, challenges, and issues facing a post-conflict society, the WIP graduates have gone on to make their mark in many fields, including politics, business, the arts, the community sector, media, and science.
We are supported by a generous community of partners and a committed Board of Directors. From our work placement partners on Capitol Hill to our host families, and donors, we are immensely grateful for their continuing support and belief in inspiring and developing new generations of leaders, and in embodying our core principles of service and leadership.
