On Saturday, October 24, the DC food world pays tribute to the late Joan Hisaoka’s passion for helping others at the second annual “Make A Difference Gala,” to be held in the stunning Mandarin Oriental Hotel. For the dinner, chef Eric Ziebold and his CityZen staff will prepare an intriguing four-course menu featuring a sea trout pavé with licorice beet reduction, lobster in its own broth, crispy corned beef short ribs with creamed spinach eclairs and cardamom-dusted cruller with kumquat preserves – all lubricated with lots of vino. Before the meal, during the reception and silent auction, hors d’oeuvres prepared by other top toques, including Todd Gray (Equinox), Cesare Lanfranconi (Spezie), Jeffrey Buben and RJ Cooper (Vidalia) and Robert Wiedmaier (Marcel’s), will be passed. The gala benefits the Smith Farm Center, a nonprofit organization that assists people living with cancer (6 PM reception and silent auction; 7:30 PM dinner and live auction; 10–11:30 PM after-party; $500 per person; call 202-543-7388, or click here to reserve).