Washington, D.C.  – On Wednesday May 10th, the Washington Ireland Program (WIP) hosted the eleventh installment of An Evening with Celtic Chefs.

At the event, the Honorable Joe Crowely presented the Spirit of WIP Award to the Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus. The 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement offers an opportunity to reflect on the vital role that the Friends of Ireland Caucus has played in the peace process in Northern Ireland for many decades.

Accepting the award on behalf of the Caucus, Co-Chair, Representative Richard Neal remarked on the progress towards peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland and Ireland and the important contribution that WIP has made. 

The rooftop deck of LiUNA (Laborers’ International Union of North America) was an incredible setting for the event. The Celtic Chefs showcased their culinary creativity alongside stars of Washington’s political and media firmament for a bipartisan evening of celebration and fun. The Celtic Chefs were accompanied by an exciting lineup of VIP Celebrity Sous Chefs hailing from the fields of politics, business, and the Irish American community. Some of our VIP Sous Chefs included Rep Joe Crowley, Rep Richie Neal, Rep Val Hoyle, Jim Caroll, Susan Davis, and Symone Sanders Townsend to name just a few.

Leading an impressive list of Washington area Celtic Chefs was Tracy O’Grady, Executive Chef of Green Pig Bistro in Arlington. This was Chef Tracy’s 11th year participating in the event and was joined by other notable chefs from Ruthie’s All Day, RARE Steakhouse and Tavern, Two and a Half Irishmen, The Pembroke of The Dupont Circle Hotel, and GreenIsland Bakery.

The 11th anniversary Celtic Chef was a great success with an impressive $242,000 being raised to support WIP. Funds raised from Celtic Chefs go directly towards supporting the WIP Class of 2023 who will be in Washington DC and NYC this summer.

Thank you to all of the Sponsors, Chefs, VIP Sous Chefs and guests that helped make the night such a great success.