Colicchio saves food writer from choking at D.C. dinnerColicchio saves food writer from choking at D.C. dinner

Pam Parseghian

WASHINGTON "Top Chef" host Tom Colicchio came to the aid of a food writer who was choking at a party she hosted here Sunday night, according to a food blogger who was also in attendance.

Joan Nathan, a contributor to The New York Times and an award-winning food writer, was hosting a party in honor of the chefs, including Colicchio, who were scheduled to cook Monday night for the Art. Food. Hope. Fund-raiser benefiting three organizations that fight hunger in Washington. Ezra Klein, a writer for The Internet Food Association blog, said Nathan was chocking on a piece of chicken when Colicchio performed the Heimlich maneuver.

After the incident, Klein said he spoke with Nathan, who described Colicchio as "so strong!" Colicchio responded, "I just happened to be there."

Besides an impressive list of New York chef attendees including Lydia Bastianich, Daniel Boulud and Dan Barber, guests at the dinner Sunday also included journalists Carl Bernstein, Bob Woodward and Jeff Toobin, according to the blog.

Nathan's dinner and the Art. Food. Hope. benefit are both part of the celebrations in Washington in advance of Tuesday's inauguration of Barack Obama.