Photos: WIlly Wonka Buffet
Peter West
June 06, 2024
Photo Credit: Peter West
Violinist Aruay Zhussip was one of two musicians who played as part of panel discussion with members of the cast of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate factory to help demonstrate the international reach the 1971 film has had.
Photo Credit: Peter West
Guests at a Willy Wonka-themed buffet Friday in the Reliable Source were able to sample not one, but two chocolate fountains: white and dark.
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Denise B. Slaughter, special assistant to the University of the District of Columbia's Chief Academic Officer, won one of five Golden Tickets, which entitled recipients to a photo with the cast.
Photo Credit: Peter West
Mesfin Mekonen, of the Press Club staff, and singer Renee Tannenbaum, draw Golden tickets at Thursday's event.
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Peter Ostrum, who played Charlie Bucket in the film, a character who won a Golden Ticket, presents an autographed ticket to Club President Emily Wilkins.
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Press Club staffer Jose Vasquez manned a carving station where guests could feast on roast beef in chocolate au jus.
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Julie Dawn Cole, who played the character of Veruca Salt, speaking on Friday night's panel.
Photo Credit: Peter West
NPC kitchen staffer Letticia Nauai staffs the chocolate fountains.
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Guest Lori Arbuckle looks over the dessert selection of mini-pastries.
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Dressed in traditional costume, Ochirbat Munkh played music from the film on a Mongolian instrument.
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Paris Themmen, who played the character Mike Teevee, speaking on Friday night's panel.
Photo Credit: Peter West
Peter Ostrum, who played the character of Charlie Bucket, speaking on Friday night's panel.
Photo Credit: Peter West
Rene Tannebaum and her Band entertained with jazz standards at Thursday night's buffet.
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Se Hoon Kim, assignment editor/senior correspondent East and South Asia at Global Strat View, organized the event and moderated Friday night's panel.
Photo Credit: Peter West
Peter Ostrum, who played the character of Charlie Bucket, displays a tattoo of his favorite line from the film: "So Shines a Good Deed in a Weary World." Willy Wonka was Ostrum's only movie role; he spent his career as a veterinarian.
Photo Credit: Peter West
Three of the former child actors who were featured in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, spoke about their experiences at a panel discussion Friday night. (left to right) Paris Themmen, "Mike Teevee"; Julie Dawn Cole, "Veruca Salt"; and Peter Ostrum, "Charlie Bucket".
Photo Credit: Peter West
Club President Emily WIlkins chats with Willy Wonka actors Paris Themmen, "Mike Teevee", and Julie Dawn Cole, "Veruca Salt", over chocolate themed food from the Reliable Source buffet.
The iconic cast of the 1971 film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" - including Charlie Bucket, Veruca Salt, and Mike Teevee - visited the National Press Club on June 6, 2024 for the Reliable Source's Wonka Themed Buffet. Five lucky diners won NPC Golden Tickets for an exclusive photo opportunity alongside the cast.