Michael Guest

A high-profile culinary collaboration brought together some of the region’s most recognizable chef names as Chef Tobias Dorzon joins Michael and Bryan Voltaggio for a one-night-only “House Guest” dinner experience at Voltaggio Brothers Steak House inside MGM National Harbor on Wednesday.

The event featured a curated four-course tasting menu designed jointly by Dorzon and the Voltaggio brothers, along with optional wine pairings, chef meet-and-greets, and table-side insight into the inspiration behind each dish.

7News reporter John Gonzalez spoke with the Voltaggio brothers ahead of the event — and here is that conversation:

A collaboration rooted in competition and Maryland ties

The Voltaggio brothers — Michael Voltaggio and Bryan Voltaggio — are among the most recognizable culinary figures to emerge from the Washington, D.C. region. Michael Voltaggio won Top Chef Season 6, while Bryan Voltaggio was the runner-up in the same season, cementing both as nationally known culinary competitors and innovators in modern American cuisine.

Together, they operate Voltaggio Brothers Steak House, a flagship dining destination at MGM National Harbor that blends elevated steakhouse traditions with modern technique and regional influences.

Chef Tobias Dorzon, meanwhile, has built a second career in the culinary world after previously playing professional football. He has become a familiar face on the Food Network, including appearances on Tournament of Champions, where his bold, globally inspired cooking style has drawn national attention.

Dorzon said the collaboration reflects both shared Maryland roots and a mutual respect forged through televised culinary competition.

“I’m so excited to join forces with Michael and Bryan for this unique event,” Dorzon said. “They are true champions lifting up the people and culture of Maryland, and it’s an honor to collaborate on this special evening.”

Inside the “House Guest” experience

The “House Guest” series is designed as an intimate, high-end dining format where guest chefs partner with the Voltaggio brothers to create a limited-seating, multi-course menu that highlights each chef’s signature style.

For this edition, the menu blends refined technique with global and regional influences:

The evening opened with an asparagus summer roll featuring daikon radish, chicken liver butter, and soy balsamic gel. A second course highlights blue crab and prawn toast with miso aioli, pickled Fresno chilies, shiso, and Petrossian caviar.

The third course centered on sea bass paired with a squid ink potato dumpling, coconut bone broth, and calamari salad, while the main course features rib eye cap with jollof bordelaise, charred broccoli, and a red pepper pancake — a nod to West African flavor profiles often showcased in Dorzon’s cooking.

Dessert rounded out the experience with a matcha strawberry shortcake, yuzu curd, and matcha semifreddo.

The dinner is priced at $150 per person, with an optional $45 wine pairing. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet the chefs following the meal.

National recognition meets regional culinary growth

The Voltaggio brothers have long been credited with elevating the Mid-Atlantic dining scene, blending fine-dining pedigree with approachable innovation. Their continued collaboration with guest chefs has turned MGM National Harbor into a regional culinary destination.

Dorzon’s rise has followed a similar trajectory of national exposure and growing local influence, as he continues to expand his brand while maintaining strong ties to the Washington-area food community.

Bryan Voltaggio said the partnership reflects that shared vision.

“Our shared experiences growing up in Maryland and competing on nationally televised food competitions is going to come through this menu,” he said. “It will be unforgettable for our guests at MGM National Harbor.”

Reservations were required for the one-night-only event.