When you put four female food bloggers with a flair for cooking in a kitchen together for one night, give them an elegant menu, some awesome wine and some sweet cameras, great stuff happens.

I convinced Tiffany McGettigan of The Garden Apartment, Colleen Levine of Foodie Tots, and Alison McConnell of The Humble Gourmand (all shown above with me, toasting our efforts, photo by The Face) to trek to my house on Sunday night and help make a low-stress meal focusing on the fall bounty currently found at our local farmers markets. We each took on a dish or two, and I’d say these D.C. food women rocked the house that night.

We cooked this meal to enter Chef Eric Ripert’s first Dinner Social contest. He provided the menu, wine suggestions, and tips for planning, and we pulled it all together in a few hours. The contest was for the best photo, and it was very tough to choose because these ladies are not only great cooks but great photographers.

If we win, I guess we’ll have to draw straws for the prize, an Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera, but it was a wonderful experience and I’ve made some new friends.

Take a look at some of the dishes we made, shopping locally and following Ripert’s recipes but tweaking a bit here and there to incorporate our personal styles, and the fun we had in making them:

Alison putting the finishing touches on her appetizer, Endive stuffed with Bleu Cheese and Prosciutto and topped with Pomegranate Seeds, then prepping my croustade for a photo. Photos by April

Me, plating my appetizer: Caramelized Onion and Olive Croustade, with Colleen and Tiffany doing dishes in the background. Close up of final presentation. Love that puff pastry from Sub*Urban Trading Co.! Photos by Alison

Colleen garnishing her First Course: Pumpkin Soup with Spiced Pumpkin Seeds. Photo by Alison

The first course, served in individual celebration squash bowls. Photo by Colleen

OUR CONTEST ENTRY PHOTO: Tiffany pulling her main course out of the oven -- Roasted Lamb with Fingerling Potatoes and Marinated Market Vegetables,  and then, the overflowing platter. Photos by Alison and April

Me, very content with Alison’s wine choices, Tiffany and Colleen tasting endive. Photos by Alison

Always Room for Dessert: April’s Maple-Roasted Pears in Chocolate -Bourbon Sauce, served with Homemade Chestnut Ice Cream. Photo by Alison

Are you hungry for more?  Check out Colleen’s photos and Alison’s photos. Tiffany’s photos coming soon!