There is always need during the holiday season and this year, so many are in such desperate straits. On this #GivingTuesday many charities receive matching dollars or have specific goals to reach. There are so many amazing charities that are forever doing amazing things. A starter list includes: Best BuddiesCapital Area Food BankDC Central KitchenFood Rescue DCHumane Rescue AllianceHuman Rights Campaign (HRC)Les Dames d'Escoiffer Scholarship Foundation Martha’s Table No Kid HungrySo Others Might Eat The Lee InitiativePurple Heart x Bardstown BourbonWorld Central Kitchen Just a few of the many deserving area charities. So many doing so much to help others. If you can give, please do. It truly is better to give than receive. Photo: Katt Yukawa 

Osteria Mozza is opening in Georgetown, and Nycci was there to check it out. Find out more in this Georgetowner article by Robert Devaney.Photo: Greg “Fritz” Blakey

Halloween (& Dia de los Muertos) isn't just for the kids. Listen to Nycci's suggestions to celebrate (pt 2).

Per usual there is so much there’s so much going on and I’ve been eating, drinking, rubbing shoulders and shaking hands — I have really found myself chatting with some of the very best and brightest in the Industry - including today’s guest. I really do love what I do. Let’s go down memory lane shall we? I mean if you follow me on insta than you see a lot of what I am doing but you know I want to chat about it!  And then I will be bringing on this week’s guest:Journalist-turned-director-turned-activist: Joanna James. Joanna thinks a woman’s place is in the kitchen and I agree!Okay the DL on Chefs For EqualityYou know Your girl loves high tea and I just hosted a tea party at Zinnia in Silver Spring.I kind of just want to hang out at La Bonne Vache all the time. I want to just slather foie gras terrine on toasts and drink my roseRosedale is the new spot by Ashok Bajaj. It is exactly what a neighborhood restaurant should be: casual, pizzas, salads and Frank Ruta’s roasted chicken,Hungry? I didn’t event talk about my dinner at Dōgon, I’ll save that tasting trip until next week!Joanna James is  behind the film A Fine Line and is also the Founder & President of MAPP — MAPP is a 501-C3 non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the landscape of the hospitality & culinary industry through mentorship, advocacy, purpose, and the power of women (MAPP).Joanna likes to say, It shouldn’t be easier for a woman to be a CEO in this country than it is to be head chef and she is taking the standard, tearing it up into little pieces and demanding and effecting change - watch the full episode here or listen to it here.