Check Please! Passion Food Hospitality Plays and Pays for Sick Kids
Family of DC Restaurants Raises Over $150,000 for Children’s National Medical Center
On June 22, 2009, the award-winning restaurateurs of Passion Food Hospitality LLC presented Children’s National Medical Center with a check for $38,000, monies raised at the fourth annual ComPassion Golf Tournament. To date, Passion Food Hospitality has raised more than $150,000 for Children’s National Medical Center.
Founding partners Chef Jeff Tunks, David Wizenberg, and Gus DiMillo agree great service is at the heart of the success of their business. They extend this core value into the community with an annual fundraiser. In 2006, the owners of DC Coast, TenPenh, Ceiba, Acadiana, and PassionFish established the ComPassion Golf Tournament as a way for their company, clients, and colleagues to focus their fundraising efforts. Passion Food Hospitality selected Children’s National Medical Center as their charity of choice because of its commitment to provide top-notch care to all families, regardless of their ability to pay.
"When researching charities, we read an article about the hospital falling short of its fundraising goal and felt so strongly about supporting this cause," Wizenberg said. "Many of our chefs and Passion Food employees are parents themselves. This is a fun way for everyone to get outside and play a round of golf and score a hole-in-one for kids."
On April 27, 2009, golfers gathered at Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston, Virginia, for a friendly game. Afterwards, the duffers retired to PassionFish in nearby Herndon, Va., for a lavish post-game reception emceed by Steve Buckhantz, announcer for the Washington Wizards. Golfers enjoyed the hospitality PassionFish is known for: fine food and drink, as well as door prizes -- and some friendly ribbing. Passion Food Hospitality remains grateful to their major sponsors: Chile, Washington Whole Sale, Republic National, Mendelson & Mendelson and JRS.
"Pursuing the truest passions in food and wine" is the guiding philosophy of the Passion Food Hospitality partnership, which over the past seven years has pioneered a new breed of American eatery where imaginative food and wine are accompanied by gracious hospitality, chic surroundings, and outstanding value.
Employees of Passion Food Hospitality are invited to participate: to welcome guests, to golf, to connect with volunteer programs at Children’s National Medical Center. The greater Washington, DC community can support these efforts too by becoming a tournament sponsor or golfing.