It was hot! It was smoky! Ilan Hall and Hung Huynh donated their time, and were fabulously fun. The Institute for Culinary Education asked the chefs not to sear anything on the demo stoves due to lack of ventilation, and both chefs ignored the request completely! Emcee Kate Clinton was hilarious, as always. And, in the end, a bunch of money was raised for a great cause.

In case you’re not familiar with the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition, please allow me to introduce: It is a D.C.-based nonprofit organization that works to make the world safer for those among us who may not meet society’s expectations for gender behavior—put blunty, “sissy” boys, “butch” girls, and any permutation in between, not to mention transgendered folks. This work is sooo important, and so long overdue; how many of us have seen swishy kids harassed (or worse) in school, while teachers, coaches and administrators just looked the other way—or even participated? GPAC works to educate companies, schools and people in general about the importance of respecting everybody for exactly who they are, wherever they fall on the macho spectrum. This cuts to the very heart of homophobia, sexism and trans-phobia (and who knows what else). Let the kid have his damned dollhouse, for Pete’s sake! And get that girl her BB gun!

Speaking of machismo, in the ICE kitchen, it was ON. Both chefs were such great sports and such positive spirits—this in the face of a pretty crazy battle. (Someone neglected to send the memo that each chef needs to have the same ingredients in order for the cook-off to be fair; also, the ingredients tilted a bit toward the crazy side, including Nestle Quik, Spam, and ostrich.) But it was a blast.

In the end, judge Josie Smith-Malave and myself agreed that Ilan had taken the day, but that both chefs did a great job! Congrats to all, and thanks to Riki Wilchins and Gina Reiss for the amazing work you do with GPAC! Click on the links below for information about upcoming GPAC cookoffs in Denver, Chicago and Austin.