Solidarity & Spice: A Rare Wine Pairing Dinner
Join us for a six-course wine pairing dinner hosted by Anish Bhatnagar & Dini Rao, to launch the “No More Lasts” PWSA | USA Equity Project.
When: Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 6 – 9 PM
Where: Rasika West End | Washington, DC
LEARN MORE AND PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
We’ll take you on an exquisite journey through India’s rich culinary styles from chaat style street bites to tawa tender fish, tandoor kebabs and a range of dal, bhartas, masalas, homemade breads and festive accompaniments at the renowned DC locale, Rasika, where presidents celebrate birthdays and ambassadors dine. Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema wrote, “Nobody glorifies the cooking of India like Rasika,” and “While the restaurant scene has gained from more Indian competitors of late, no chef has surpassed Vikram Sunderam’s finesse or flavors,” as he put Rasika on his hall of fame list. It is no wonder Chef Sunderam was awarded the 2013 James Beard award for best chef in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The meal will be enhanced as Wine Curator Dini Rao guides you through this six-course tasting menu with wines chosen from Anish Bhatnagar’s collection to create the pairings of a lifetime. In Dini’s nearly 30 years of hosting wine events including a dinner at Julia Child’s house and a wine tasting for British royalty, never before has a dinner spoken more to her epicurean heart.
A vegetarian or dairy free option is available or contact dinivrao@gmail.com to discuss other food restrictions.
More About the “No More Lasts” PWSA | USA Equity Project
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), it is a rare genetic condition that has no cure. It is also one where early diagnosis, coordinated care, and lifelong supports dramatically shape health and quality-of-life outcomes. Yet these benefits are not always realized. Children and adults from marginalized communities experience delayed diagnosis, reduced access to specialized PWS care, underrepresentation in research and registries, and poorer downstream outcomes.
At PWSA USA we are creating an Equity Initiative to make sure that research developments are useful to our whole population and that more people can access the tools currently available. We want to make sure there are no more lasts – no more last diagnosed, no more last treated. This “No More Lasts” initiative aims to close the gap in racial, ethnic, religious and other disparities for those affected by Prader-Willi Syndrome by accelerating diagnoses, access to evidence-based care, and inclusion in research—so no community is left last.
Come join us by becoming a founding supporter of this important initiative.
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.