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A chef who cooks without tasting the food??
Samantha Pecoraro is a 15 year-old young lady who dreams of being a chef - but she cannot eat.
From Cape Coral, Florida she is in DC this weekend as an apprentice to Cedar Restaurant's Chef Aaron McCloud. Samantha has a condition called Eosinophilic Esophagitis, an autoimmune disease that causes food to make her extremely ill. Because of this disease Samantha can only eat white potatoes which her body is able to digest.
Yet even though she cannot eat she dreams of being a professional chef.
She takes a culinary class every day. She calls herself a "blind chef" because she cannot taste what she cooks so she focuses on presentation which she documents in photographs for her culinary portfolio.
No shy chef, Samantha recently perfected recipes for escargot and crème brulee.
Sunday December 2, Cedar Restaurant's Chef Aaron McCloud and Samantha will host a dinner benefiting CURED, the research foundation for Eosinophilic Esophagitis, the condition that affects one in 1,000 people.
Sunday December 2, 2012 - 6 p.m.
Cedar Chef Aaron McCloud hosts benefit dinner for Samantha
822 E Street NW
Washington DC 20004
202-637-0012
Tickets: $150 per person
Bright lights
Lots of red, green, blue and aqua lights sparkled along the waters of the Potomac River in Alexandria Saturday. Dozens of light bedecked boats took part in the 13th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Earlier in the day Santa was on hand for pictures and warm cider with the youngsters. The mild weather brought out thousands for what organizers feel was the largest crowd yet.
WTOP's Neal Augenstein on his way to Thanksgiving from I-95
WTOP's Neal Augenstein reports from I-95
What happened to Susan Rice's CIA talking points on Benghazi?
JJ Green, WTOP's national security correspondent
Painting a picture: What it's like for average citizen in Middle East
JJ Green, WTOP's national security correspondent
Express lanes, explained: The ins and outs of Virginia's new lanes
WTOP's Max Smith
Are you what you dream?
WTOP's Del Walters reports. Read more about dreaming on NBC.
WTOP reporter's valuable audio tool donated to Newseum
WTOP reporter Neal Augenstein is donating his most-valuable journalism tool to the Newseum - his iPhone 4S.
Suspicious spouses take spying into their own hands
WTOP's John Aaron reports. For more information, visit the Wall Street Journal.
Farm to market to table
Farmers are bringing some of the best food you can buy to Farmers' Markets all over the region. The largest non-profit group of markets in the region FreshFarm Markets is celebrating its 15 year anniversary and just held it's 10th Annual Farmland Feast. We take you there in the two clips below!
Are you hearing bells??
They are coming from hundreds of bell ringers helping The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command's Red Kettle Campaign. And once again WTOP is a proud sponsor. So, Every time you see a Red Kettle and hear the familiar bell ringing, please donate generously. Every dollar you give stays right here, supporting programs and proving help to those in need in our community. Listen to the two clips below to learn more!
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