Recap: Second Annual Capital One Center Culinary Week Raises $10,000 for World Central Kitchen

Capital One Center hosted its second annual Culinary Week to benefit World Central Kitchen July 27th-31st, offering seven unique culinary-centric experiences at each of the community’s award-winning restaurants. Thanks to the many sold-out events and generosity of the week’s 400+ attendees, Capital One Center raised $10,000 for World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization founded by Chef José Andrés that provides fresh meals at the frontlines in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises.

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The below acclaimed restaurants and culinary destinations participated in Culinary Week events, including:

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• La Omri (opening this winter): Opening at Capital One Center in late 2026, this highly anticipated hybrid dining and social destination comes from the hospitality team behind Georgetown’s popular Villa Yara. “La Omri” translates to “to the love of my life,” reflecting the venue’s core mission to celebrate Mediterranean living through vibrant flavors, dynamic hospitality and high-energy experiences.
• Naisho Room: A “hidden cocktail lounge” at The Watermark Hotel with a secret location…if you know, you know…
• Ometeo: Rooted in Tex-Mex tradition and heightened by a passion for local seafood, Ometeo leans into the dichotomy of Texas border cuisine and strong coastal influences. Awarded the Restaurant Association of Washington’s 2024 Restaurateur of the Year (awarded to Ometeo’s management team, Long Shot Hospitality).
• Perch Putt’s Rhum Roost: Rhum Roost is a playful tiki bar at Perch Putt (an 18-hole mini golf experience 11 stories in the sky at The Perch) and features frozen libations and unique cocktails.
• Sisters Tysons & Flore Cafe: Sisters Tysons & Flore Cafe have become quick favorites among the foodie influencer community, known for their elevated approach to Thai street food, high tea experiences, dessert and café concepts, and visual aesthetics in full bloom.
• Starr Hill Brewpub: The second addition from Starr Hill at Capital One Center, Starr Hill Brewpub complements the popular live-music destination Starr Hill Biergarten at The Perch. The America-themed menu offers 20+ beers, cocktails, ciders, and wines, along with award-winning brews. Programming ranges from live music to trivia.
• Stellina Pizzeria: Stellina Pizzeria is an upscale casual Italian concept featuring Neo-Neapolitan pizzas, homemade pastas, and desserts served with style and dynamic energy. Awarded Top 50 Artisan Pizzerias in the World (2024, 2025) and recognized with a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide for five consecutive years.
• Wegmans Tysons: Capital One Center’s anchor grocery store, delivering an unmatched variety of premium food, wine, and culinary offerings.
• Wren: Meaning “love” in Japanese, Wren is The Watermark Hotel’s sophisticated yet approachable concept featuring Japanese street food fused with modern American elements. Awarded Virginia’s Restaurant of the Year by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association in 2022 and named Best Hotel Restaurant in DC’s Best of Luxury Travel Awards in 2026.

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The culinary experiences offered during Capital One Center’s Culinary Week provided diverse experiences for teambuilding, summer socials, date nights – and even for families looking for a fun summer activity with their children.  

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A few highlights of the week’s activities include:

• Battle of the Chefs: seven Executive Chefs competed for the audience’s vote based on taste, creativity, presentation, and storytelling. Guests experienced a culinary journey through Italy, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, the Mediterranean, and more, with artisanal dishes that represented each restaurant. During this reception at The Perch, Chef Leila with La Omri took home the 2026 title with her delicious “Yara’s Tobbouleh” and “Fattet Batinjan.”
• Capital One Center’s Cocktail Contest was another opportunity for the audience to cast their vote. The night featured cocktail craftsmen from six award-winning restaurants who competed based on creativity, presentation, and storytelling. Returning champion Jose Salgado from The Naisho Room took home the winning title with his refreshing “Secret Garden.” Guests enjoyed many artfully crafted libations from around the world on Ometeo’s beautiful outdoor patio.
• Additional Culinary Week classes ranged from a Sushi Master Class at Wren, Cocktail Class at The Naisho Room, multiple Pizza Making classes at Stellina Pizzeria with Michelin-Bib Chef Matteo Venin, as well Dine & Demo authentic Thai experience from Sisters Tysons.

“What stands out about Culinary Week is the incredible community Capital One Center has built. From the chefs competing on stage to the guests filling the room, people came together around great food and a shared purpose. Seeing Ometeo host its own fundraiser in support of our Venezuela relief efforts is a powerful example of how that spirit extends beyond the week’s events. We’re proud to have been part of Culinary Week for a second year and grateful to Capital One and everyone who made this week so meaningful in support of our mission.” –Matt Tripsas, Director, Community Fundraising, World Central Kitchen.

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Proceeds from Capital One Center Culinary Week Benefit World Central Kitchen:

Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises. A model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real-time, WCK has served more than 600 million nourishing meals around the world. Learn more here.

Capital One Center is a 35 acre mixed-use development in the heart of Tysons, VA. Anchored by the headquarters of Capital One, Washington DC’s hometown bank, and home to its over 13,500 associates in the region, Capital One Center is quickly transforming the skyline and the cultural landscape of Fairfax County. This 3 million sq. ft. development is a vibrant arts & entertainment destination which includes a large skypark, The Perch—complete with Starr Hill Biergarten, food trucks, and an 18-hole miniature golf course, Perch Putt—and a 300-all-suite hotel, The Watermark Hotel, numerous retail and dining options, and most notably a world-class corporate events and performing arts center, Capital One Hall.  In 2023 Capital One Park opened doors to a baseball stadium which hosts college, high school, and tournament games. The most recent addition is Metro Park, a large outdoor plaza complete with pickleball courts and an outdoor skating rink in the winter. Capital One Center is located 500 steps from the McLean Metro Station.

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