Celebrity chefs step in for Rogue 24’s RJ Cooper while he undergoes surgery.
By Nevin Martell
Ten guest chefs - including Bryan Voltaggio and José Andrés - will take over the kitchen at Rogue 24.
Garth Brooks likes boasting about having friends in low places, but Rogue 24’s chef-owner RJ Cooper is all about showing off his friends in high places. When the James Beard Award winner steps away from the kitchen this month to undergo open-heart surgery for a life-threatening genetic defect, ten of his most celebrated culinary pals will be stepping up to fill his place.
The guest chef’ed Rogue Sessions kicks off with Volt’s Bryan Voltaggio, who will man the burners from January 10–14 (sorry, tickets are already sold out). The series continue until March 17 with a different chef taking over each week, including José Andrés, Tim Byres of Dallas’ SMOKE, Top Chef season 6 finalist Jennifer Carroll, James Beard Award winner John Currence, The Source’s Scott Drewno, former minibar chef Katsuya Fukushima, Woodberry Kitchen’s Spike Gjerde, Nancy Oakes of San Fran’s Boulevard, and David Posey of Chicago’s celebrated Blackbird.
Each chef will prepare a 24-course tasting menu, which will include 12 of their own dishes and 12 interpretations of Cooper’s classics from Rogue 24. Tickets are $185, which includes wine and cocktail pairings, and will be available through Gilt City starting a week before each chef’s run.
Rogue 24, 922 N St. NW (in Blagden Alley); 202-408-9724, www.rogue24.com
