Chef Sheldon Simeon, a finalist on Top Chef Season 10 and semi-finalist on this year’s Season 14, is cooking in D.C. on Friday, Oct. 27. But unlike when most celebrity chefs come to town, you won’t have to smash your piggy bank with one of the Nats’ bats that didn’t find the ball enough in the post-season. He’ll be cooking three dishes at ChiKo on Barracks Row from 10 p.m. to midnight as a part of the casual eatery’s “After Dark” series. 

Simeon is in town from Hawaii, where he operates his restaurant Tin Roof, to participate in Smithsonian’s Food History Weekend. “I’ve been following the news of their opening from afar and am happy that my schedule brought me to the area so we could team up,” Simeon says. “The blending of cuisines—Chinese and Korean in their case—is something I am very familiar with, as this is reflective of the food scene in Hawaii.” Think of Hawaiian cuisine as the original fusion food.

ChiKo chefs and co-owners Danny Lee and Scott Drewno were happy to get the call. “I think it was before we even started doing the ‘After Dark’ nights,” Lee says. “He just wanted to cook with us, which is awesome.” 

Seating will be on a first come, first served basis. Simeon will make three dishes priced at $8 each and the ChiKo team will also try its hand at a “somewhat Hawaiian” dish. 

ChiKo, 423 8th St. SE; (202) 558-9934; chikodc.com