1. Rammys
More than 2,600 guests took to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in June for D.C.’s annual awards honoring food service industry professionals. In a town where there’s no shortage of galas and benefits, the Rammys sets itself apart with one unique trait: It’s traditionally held on a Sunday, the day the most industry workers have off. Among the awards and honors handed out were Chef of the Year (Kyle Bailey of the Salt Line), Restaurateur of the Year (the Redstone Restaurant Group), Rising Culinary Star of the Year (Kith/Kin's Kwame Onwuachi), and Pastry Chef of the Year (Ana Deshaies of Unconventional Diner). Next: June 2020
See more: How This Food Award Show Showcases Local Talent
See more: How This Food Award Show Showcases Local Talent
Photo: Kalorama Photography
2. Metro Cooking DC
More than 14,000 foodies flocked to the Walter Washington Convention Center for the multi-day event to see cooking royalty Martha Stewart and Wolfgang Puck, setting an attendance record on Saturday with some 8,000 attendees. National barbecue champion Myron Mixon, author and PBS host Lidia Bastianich, and locally acclaimed restaurateurs chef Kwamie Onwuachi (Kith/Kin) and chef Amy Brandwein (Centrolina), rounded out the weekend’s culinary star power. Next: December 5-6, 2020
Photo: Rey Lopez
3. National Harbor Wine & Food Festival
Up from #4
Sour weather didn’t ruin 2019’s festival, which celebrated its 10th year with an attendance of more than 7,500 people. Event produces estimated 4,300 bottles of wine, spirits, and beer were poured, and some 60,000 samples of food consumed. The festival changed locations in 2019, and was held in the National Harbor’s Southpointe Lot. Next: May 2-3, 2020
Sour weather didn’t ruin 2019’s festival, which celebrated its 10th year with an attendance of more than 7,500 people. Event produces estimated 4,300 bottles of wine, spirits, and beer were poured, and some 60,000 samples of food consumed. The festival changed locations in 2019, and was held in the National Harbor’s Southpointe Lot. Next: May 2-3, 2020
Photo: Anthony Washington
4. Capital Food Fight
Up from #5
Chef Marcelle Afram of Navy Yard’s Bluejacket brewery took home the 2019 Capital Food Fight top honor. The event, which pits four local chefs against each other, raised more than $815,000 for DC Central Kitchen, a culinary nonprofit focused on improving food security in the nation’s capital. Over 2,000 guests came to the Anthem to watch as celebrity judges such as Tom Colicchio (Bravo’s Top Chef), Ryan Zimmerman (Washington Nationals), and Andrew Zimmern (Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern) determined a grand champ. Next: Fall 2020
Chef Marcelle Afram of Navy Yard’s Bluejacket brewery took home the 2019 Capital Food Fight top honor. The event, which pits four local chefs against each other, raised more than $815,000 for DC Central Kitchen, a culinary nonprofit focused on improving food security in the nation’s capital. Over 2,000 guests came to the Anthem to watch as celebrity judges such as Tom Colicchio (Bravo’s Top Chef), Ryan Zimmerman (Washington Nationals), and Andrew Zimmern (Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern) determined a grand champ. Next: Fall 2020
Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for DC Central Kitchen
5. Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle
Up from #6
Vegetarians might want to sit this one out. Every year, for the past 26 years, tens of thousands of meat lovers have flocked to downtown D.C. for all things barbecue. The battle, now dubbed “America’s Official National BBQ Championship,” raises money for area charities, such as USO-Metro and the Capital Area Food Bank. Next: June 27-28, 2020
Vegetarians might want to sit this one out. Every year, for the past 26 years, tens of thousands of meat lovers have flocked to downtown D.C. for all things barbecue. The battle, now dubbed “America’s Official National BBQ Championship,” raises money for area charities, such as USO-Metro and the Capital Area Food Bank. Next: June 27-28, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle
6. Chefs for Equality
Up from #7
The annual benefit brings together the region’s top culinary stars, such as José Andrés, to raise awareness and funding for L.G.B.T.Q. rights and advance the mission of the HRC Foundation. Held for the second year in a row at the Washington National Cathedral, Chefs for Equality featured stations boasting sips and grub from local eateries such as Crimson and Toki Underground. In addition to tasting stations and live and silent auctions, special add-ons such as private chef tables, where guests can have intimate dining experiences with local restaurant talent, are available for increased prices. Next: June 27-28, 2020
The annual benefit brings together the region’s top culinary stars, such as José Andrés, to raise awareness and funding for L.G.B.T.Q. rights and advance the mission of the HRC Foundation. Held for the second year in a row at the Washington National Cathedral, Chefs for Equality featured stations boasting sips and grub from local eateries such as Crimson and Toki Underground. In addition to tasting stations and live and silent auctions, special add-ons such as private chef tables, where guests can have intimate dining experiences with local restaurant talent, are available for increased prices. Next: June 27-28, 2020
Photo: Jason Colston for Human Rights Campaign Foundation
7. Smithsonian Food History Gala
Up from #8
For the fifth year in a row, the Museum of American History kicked off its Food History weekend with the Smithsonian Food History Gala, attended by 350 guests. This year’s event honored chef José Andrés, who was awarded the Julia Child Award by the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts. Andrés opted to donate his $50,000 prize money to World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit he founded in 2010 that delivers meals to areas impacted by natural disasters. Next: Fall 2020
For the fifth year in a row, the Museum of American History kicked off its Food History weekend with the Smithsonian Food History Gala, attended by 350 guests. This year’s event honored chef José Andrés, who was awarded the Julia Child Award by the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts. Andrés opted to donate his $50,000 prize money to World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit he founded in 2010 that delivers meals to areas impacted by natural disasters. Next: Fall 2020
Photo: Pixelme Studio
8. Dîner en Blanc
New to the list
It’s an unusual premise that keeps guests guessing: The location of the event is kept a secret until shortly before the event begins. From there, guests scramble to bring themselves, their food, tables and chairs, and tabletop decor to the picnic. The event enforces its all-white dress code so strictly that all table linens and dining accessories must comply with the color scheme. In 2019, 5,000 guests participated in the sixth iteration of the event, which took place at Freedom Plaza, between 12th and 14th streets, NW. Those hoping to get in on the fun in 2020 must sign up for the event’s waiting list. Next: Summer 2020
It’s an unusual premise that keeps guests guessing: The location of the event is kept a secret until shortly before the event begins. From there, guests scramble to bring themselves, their food, tables and chairs, and tabletop decor to the picnic. The event enforces its all-white dress code so strictly that all table linens and dining accessories must comply with the color scheme. In 2019, 5,000 guests participated in the sixth iteration of the event, which took place at Freedom Plaza, between 12th and 14th streets, NW. Those hoping to get in on the fun in 2020 must sign up for the event’s waiting list. Next: Summer 2020
Photo: Tasos Katopodis
9. Taste of DC
Showcasing more than 50 of the area’s top restaurants and local artisans and boasting the region’s biggest beer garden, Taste of DC provides a comprehensive look at District’s culinary scene. Live music on two stages and kid-friendly activities make this an event fun for the whole family. Admission to the weekend-long festival at Audi Field is free; however, tickets must be purchased for tasting purposes. Next: Spring 2020
