WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Senator Angus King’s lobster stew won the Judges’ Choice prize at the 37th Annual March of Dimes Gourmet Gala, an event that raises funds for maternal and infant health. The Judges’ Choice prize is awarded by five Washington-area chefs; Senator King’s lobster stew also won the same award at last year’s event. The event, which brought together 46 members of Congress to serve recipes that shared the flavor of their home states, raised $1.3 million for the March of Dimes.

“I’m always grateful for the opportunity to help out a good cause like March of Dimes, who do important work to support the health of mothers and babies,” said Senator King. “On a personal note, I’m thrilled that our dish took home this back-to-back prize. It’s exciting to know that even Washington’s chefs know that the best food in the nation comes from the great state of Maine!”

Senator King’s lobster stew recipe is adapted from Marjorie Standish’s take on the dish, as published in her famed cookbook “Cooking Down East”. Senator King served the dish to attendees while wearing one of his signature lobster ties.