Washington, DC – Events DC’s Embassy Chef Challenge is thrilled to announce that more than 30 embassies have confirmed their participation in the friendly culinary competition to take place July 10 starting at 6 p.m. at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. This year, the annual event will be hosted by Washington, DC-based restaurateur and former Top Chef contestant, Spike Mendelsohn. The embassies hail from all over the world, with exciting additions such as Cuba, Ukraine and Bolivia.
Returning Champions and Global Flavours
Past winners, including Barbados, Peru and China, have also confirmed, with new, exciting menu presentations sure to offer a night of culinary mastery.
An Unforgettable Cultural and Culinary Experience
For the public, the Embassy Chef Challenge will be a delightful chance to try new and exciting dishes from around the world in a one-of-a-kind, cultural experience only available in Washington, DC. Attendees can start planning their Embassy Chef Challenge experience, buy tickets and view more information at: https://eventsdc.com/EmbassyChefChallenge
Friendly Competition and Awards
For the participating chefs and mixologists, the friendly competition is a challenge to win the coveted People’s Choice Award, chosen by guests’ votes. The top three will be announced alongside the Judges’ Choice, selected by a panel of influential members of the diplomatic, cultural and culinary communities.
Meet the 2025 Judges Panel
This year’s Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge judging panel is comprised of:
- Chef Eric Adjepong, Celebrity Chef
- Lenore T. Adkins, Freelance food journalist
- Tim Ebner, District-based food and international travel writer
- Tierney Plumb, Editor of Eater DC
- Shawn Townsend, President and CEO of Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington
Participating Embassies
Embassies confirmed include:
Algeria, Bahrain, Barbados, Bolivia, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Mauritania, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe
Culture, Music & Culinary Diplomacy
The Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge not only encourages culinary diplomacy but also celebrates the arts of many cultures and highlights some of the world’s amazing musicians, dancers and singers. This year’s event will feature a non-stop range of performances to accompany the delicious food and drink that will be served.
Press & Media Information
Media Members: For media members interested in covering the Embassy Chef Challenge, please visit here to apply for press credentials to attend and cover the event. Please follow instructions to apply online and responses will be provided within the timeline listed. Please note, credentials are for working members of the press only.
Images of last year’s Embassy Chef Challenge can be found HERE.
Any questions can be directed to embassychef@lindarothpr.com
About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities…
For more information, please visit:
https://www.eventsdc.com
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