Chefs for Equality: Gay Rights, 60 Chefs and Tim Gunn

This year's newest chef-spotting event is the Chefs For Equality fundraiser for the Human Rights Campaign, slated for Oct. 24. The gathering boasts an impressive lineup of 60 cooks and 15 mixologists, not to mention a hefty price tag, at $300 a pop. Well, as of this afternoon, the price just went down. Eater has learned that due to a big contribution from HRC board member Paul Boskind, ticket prices for the event have now been slashed in half, to $150 a head.

The basics: The event, which is being organized by D.C. food writer David Hagedorn, is being held at the Ritz-Carlton in Foggy Bottom at 6:30 p.m. Tickets get you drinks made from mixologists such as Gina Chersevani of Eddy Bar and Derek Brown of Columbia room, and food from restaurants like BLT Steak and Cork Wine Bar. There are auctions for big-ticket items like a year's worth of brunches from area restaurants, or a meal for 20 from José Andrés' Pepe food truck. Here's a list of all the participating chefs.

The odd couples: An interesting aspect of the event (particularly if you have a couple grand to throw around for bidding purposes) is that attendees can vie for the chance to sit at one of nine personal chef tables during the festivities. There, some unlikely chefs teams (many who haven't collaborated before) are coming together to cook five-course meals for the winners. The pairings include:

*Spike Gjerde (Woodberry Kitchen) and Erik Bruner-Yang (Toki Underground)
*Cathal Armstrong (Restaurant Eve) and RJ Cooper (Rogue24)
*Michel Richard (Central) and Bryan Voltaggio (Volt)
*Vikram Sunderam (Rasika) and Nicholas Stefanelli (Bibiana)
*Ris Lacoste (Ris) and Jamie Leeds (Hank's Oyster Bar)
*Enzo Fargione (Elisir) and Peter Smith (PS7s)
*Victor Albisu (Taco Bamba) and Amy Brandwein (former of Casa Nonna, now at Chef AmyB)
*Nora Pouillon and Todd Woods (Restaurant Nora) with Haidar Karoum (Estadio/Proof)
*Cedric Maupillier (Mintwood Place) and Devin Bozkaya (Westend Bistro)

The random stuff: In the celebrity-watch department, Project Runway's Tim Gunn and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley are slated to appear at the event. A bunch of models will be wandering around in bridal gowns from designers like Michael Andres Bespoke; those can be bid on as well. And those who want to chef-stalk, but don't have $150 to throw around can head to Graffiato, where a $50 after party is being held.

· Chefs For Equality [Official Site]