Contact: Nate Brown, March of Dimes, at nbrown@marchofdimes.com or (703) 824-0111, ext. 16

Chef Rahman “Rock” Harper, Fox TV’s Hell’s Kitchen 3 champion, will return to Washington, D.C., to take part in March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction of D.C. on Monday, October 27, at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. Hotel.

Chef Rock, a past participant of the Washington, D.C., event, is now the March of Dimes national celebrity Signature Chefs spokesperson.  “I always wanted to be part of the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auctions nationwide,” he said.  “This movement is special to me.”

He and his wife, Tamara, share a special connection to the March of Dimes mission.  Their daughter, Leah, was born with a heart defect and spent weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Inova Fairfax Hospital.  The pressure of Hell’s Kitchen did not come close to the harrowing experience of having his own baby sick in the NICU, he said.

Chef Rock is volunteering his time, talent and secrets of his own success at Signature Chefs events in several cities, including Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland.  “I want to use my craft to change the world—one child at a time,” he said.  “It is my honor to give back to this organization for my daughter’s life and the health of all babies.”

Peter Smith, executive chef and owner of PS 7’s on I (Eye) Street, NW, is this year’s local Honorary Signature Chef.  Chef Rock, Chef Peter and more than 30 of the area’s top chefs will be offering tastings of their signature dishes during an evening of food, wine and entertainment.

“Cooking the Books” is the theme of this year’s Washington, D.C., event, which will include book signings by cookbook authors.  Participating chefs will also be donating culinary experiences for the highest bidders of the live auction.  The chefs’ samplings and a silent auction begin at 6:30 p.m.; the live auction begins at 8:15 p.m.   Tickets are $200.  Table sales and corporate sponsorships are also available.  For more information, visit marchofdimes.com/metrodc.

Leon Harris, news anchor at ABC7, WJLA-TV, will once again serve as master of ceremonies for the evening.  Media sponsors for the event include ABC7, WTOP Radio, The Washington Informer and Washington Life magazine.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies.  For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
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