A Taste of the Future

An Extraordinary Evening with DC’s Top Chefs to Support Tomorrow’s Young Talent.

On October 19, 2025, A Taste of the Future will unite some of Washington, DC’s most acclaimed chefs at award-winning Moon Rabbit for a one-night-only, multi-course dinner inspired by the creativity of the next generation.

Hosted by Moon Rabbit's Chef Kevin Tien, the evening benefits the 2026 Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge. This competition, now in its fourteenth year, challenges middle and high school students from across the DMV to design healthy, delicious meals for their peers that meet the same cost and nutrition standards as school food professionals.

Chef Kevin Tien, the Event Chair of the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge, will lead the dinner alongside:

• Forrest Gonia (former two-time Culinary Challenge participant, now at Moon Rabbit)
• Susan Bae (Moon Rabbit, James Beard finalist, North America's Best Pastry Chef 2025 winner)
• Rahul Vinod (RASA, former Culinary Challenge judge and headlining demo chef)
• Jamie Leeds (Hank’s Oyster Bar)
• Paolo Dungca (Kayu)
• Yuan Tang (Rooster & Owl and Ellie Bird, James Beard nominee)

Together, they will reimagine winning student recipes from past Culinary Challenges, showing how youth-driven innovation can inspire chefs at the highest level.

Why It Matters

Since 2012, the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge has given middle and high school students the chance to step into the role of school nutrition professionals. They design delicious, healthy meals that reflect the diverse culinary traditions of our communities, while meeting the strict nutrition and cost requirements of the National School Meal Program.

It remains the only competition where students see their recipes adapted and served in school cafeterias across the Greater Metropolitan Region.

Funds raised at this dinner will directly support the 2026 Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge on February 28, expanding mentorship, career exposure, and the student-led push to transform school food. To make a direct tax-deductible donation, please visit https://www.realfoodforkids.org/donateculinarychallenge.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025

Location: Moon Rabbit · 927 F Street NW · Washington, DC 20004

Public parking garages are available nearby, and Moon Rabbit is conveniently metro-accessible.

Schedule:

• 5:30–6:30 p.m. · VIP Reception
• 6:30 p.m. · Dinner Guest Arrival
• 7:00 p.m. · Dinner Begins

Dress Code: Sunday Best

Beverages: A cash bar will be available throughout the evening

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TICKET OPTIONS

VIP – $200
Includes a 5:30–6:30 p.m. reception with a signature cocktail, small bites inspired by past Culinary Challenge recipes, and early access to mingle with the chefs and former Culinary Challenge participants.

Dinner Guest – $150
Seated multi-course dinner.

Tickets are limited. Reserve your seat today.

Be part of an unforgettable evening where celebrated chefs honor student innovation, amplify youth voices, and invest in the future of school food, hosted at Moon Rabbit by Kevin Tien, recently named to North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list.