Female chefs Dish It Up to raise money for Women Against Abuse

Women Against Abuse, which works with victims of domestic violence, drew 300 boosters and more than a dozen female chefs and restaurateurs to WHYY Studios on March 27 for Dish It Up 2014

The organization, which raised more than $67,000, presented its Dish It Up Woman of the Year Award to chef Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran (Lolita, Barbuzzo, Little Nonna's, Jamonera).

The evening's volunteer chefs created dishes with an element of purple - the color of the anti-domestic violence movement. Judges Drew Lazor, Caroline Russock, Jennifer Carroll, and Natalie Maronski awarded the Purple Dish Award to Aimee Olexy of Talula's Garden, Talula's Table and Talula's Daily.

This year's competitors were Stacey DiPlacido of Fitzwater Café, Bridget Foy of Bridget Foy's, Rachel Klein of Miss Rachel's Pantry, Moon Krapugthong of Chabaa Thai, Beverly Leakes of Truffles Party, Karen Nicolas of Citron & Rose, Jess Nolan of Brauhaus Schmitz, Aimee Olexy of Talula's Garden, Susan VanVreede of Distrito, and a crew from Vedge (Kate Jacoby was out of town).

Pam Kingsland of Pamcakes Cupcakery won the Purple Cupcake Award, selected by the 300 guests in attendance. Her competitors were Jen Kremer of Sweet Freedom Bakery, and Toni & Chrissy Walton of Sweet T's Bakeshop.

Mixologist and author Katie Loeb created a Purple cocktail for the event.