Night at the Navy Yard: Full Service Gala Catering for the DC Burn Foundation

Some events carry more weight than others. The DC Firefighters Burn Foundation's annual Night at the Navy Yard gala is one of them.

Held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at HQO Events in Washington, DC, this milestone evening brought together 300 guests in support of burn survivors and the families who walk beside them through recovery. Burn injuries don't end when someone leaves the hospital. The road ahead is long, and the support made possible by events like this one ensures that survivors and families have access to the care, resources, and community they need at every stage. 

Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events was proud to serve as the full service catering partner for this year's gala.

Full Service Nonprofit Gala Catering in Washington, DC 

When the DC Burn Foundation chose Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events for Night at the Navy Yard, the ask was clear: deliver an exceptional dining experience worthy of the cause and the guests gathered to support it.

Our team handled the full catering scope for 300 guests — from passed hors d'oeuvres through a multi-station dinner experience and late-night snack — with the same attention to craft, delicious food & drink,  and hospitality we bring to every event we serve.

Majority owned by American family farmers, including the North Dakota Farmers Union, Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events makes all our food and drink from scratch —  breads, pastas, sauces, chocolate, spirits, and more — sourced from farmers and producers we know and trust. That commitment to quality ingredients and scratch-made cuisine was on full display throughout the evening.

The Menu: A Founding Farmers Station Experience 

Guests began the evening with a passed hors d'oeuvres hour featuring Ahi Tuna Bites on Crispy Wontons, Steak Frites Haystacks with Basil Aioli, and Baked Brie Puffs with Seasonal Homemade Jam and Beyla Honey.

The centerpiece of the evening was a six-station dinner concept we call the Founding Farmers Station Experience — each station drawing inspiration from one of our restaurant locations across the DMV:

Station 1: The Henhouse & Honey — Representing Founding Farmers DC, the location that started it all,  with Fried Chicken & Waffles: crispy buttermilk fried chicken, freshly made waffles, cinnamon maple syrup, and Beyla honey.

Station 2: Steam & Wheat — Representing Founding Farmers & Distillers with a Chinese Dumplings & Noodle Bar: handmade dumplings, sweet chili sauce, spring onions, and stir fry noodles.

Station 3: Field & Fire — Representing Founding Farmers Alexandria with Farmhouse BBQ: Texas BBQ Brisket, Mini Buttermilk Biscuits, and Seven Cheese Macaroni Cups. 

Station 4: Agave & Ash — Representing Founding Farmers & Bakers in Georgetown with a Taco Stand featuring Chicken Tinga, Marinated Steak, and a Vegan option, alongside Street Corn Salad Cups.

Station 5: Griddle & Bun — Representing Founding Farmers Reston Station with a Slider bar: Smash Cheeseburgers, Goat Cheese Burger Sliders, Falafel Cheese "Burgers," and Good All Green Salad Cups.

Station 6: Sugar & Stone — Representing the bakery at Founding Farmers Tysons with our handcrafted Founding Farmers Chocolates & Sweets: our Candy Bar Classics and Chocolate Squares, Assorted Cookies, Mini Jefferson Glazed Donuts, and Mini Dessert Cups with chocolate mousse, salted caramel, strawberry shortcake, and toasted coconut mango mousee. 

The evening closed with a Late Night Snack: Whirley Pop bags — a crowd-pleasing finish to a full and festive night. 

What the Client Said 

The response from the DC Burn Foundation said it all: "We received so many compliments about the food, the presentation, the service, the displays — honestly, everything," said Megan Tinney, PT, DPT, Communications & Events at the DC Burn Foundation. "You all brought such an incredible level of professionalism and energy to the event, and it truly elevated the entire experience for our guests." 

Tinney also noted something that matters deeply to us: the strength of the team behind the scenes. "It was also very obvious this year how much depth and support you have behind the scenes as a team, and it made such a difference." 

We believe this is the beginning of a long partnership. The DC Burn Foundation said they will use Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events again next year. 

Planning a Nonprofit Gala or Charity Event in DC? 

Whether you're planning an annual gala, a fundraising dinner, or a large-scale benefit event in the Washington, DC metro area, Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events brings the food, the service, and the team to make it exceptional.

We offer full service catering with scratch-made cuisine, a best-in-class beverage program featuring our very own spirits from our DC-based distillery, Founding Spirits, and the kind of hospitality that your guests will remember. We are certain your organization will want to come back to, year after year.

Why Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events is the Right Caterer for Non-Profit Events

Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events is a mission-driven company majority owned by American family farmers. We are working to not only serve delicious food and drink with exceptional hospitality but do so while caring about our people, our communities, and the land we all call home. Our mission has farmers at the root. We are working to unbundle the industrial supply chain and earn family farmers a larger share of the food dollar. With every event, we are also giving back to our farmer owners, strengthening their livelihood, giving back to the community, preserving our land and waterways, and making high-quality food more accessible to all.  Also, when you hire us, farmers directly benefit. That is what it. means to be farmer owned.  

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Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events serves the DC, Maryland, Virginia, and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania region.