1. Rammy Awards Gala
#1 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Each June, D.C.’s culinary scene gathers for a black-tie celebration at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The 36th annual Rammys drew 2,300 guests and feted winners in 21 award categories, including nods for Masseria as the formal fine dining restaurant of the year, Chiko as new restaurant of the year, and Centrolina's Amy Brandwein for chef of the year. The awards also honored José Andrés and Patricia Fernandez de la Cruz with the Exceptional Leadership & Impact Award and the Dubliner's Daniel J. Coleman with the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award for 44 years in business, respectively. Produced by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, this year's decor included food-inspired mural installations by Design Foundry, a live art installation from Kelly Walker, and "listening zones" with Spotify playlists from D.C. chefs and restaurateurs. Next: June 2019
Each June, D.C.’s culinary scene gathers for a black-tie celebration at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The 36th annual Rammys drew 2,300 guests and feted winners in 21 award categories, including nods for Masseria as the formal fine dining restaurant of the year, Chiko as new restaurant of the year, and Centrolina's Amy Brandwein for chef of the year. The awards also honored José Andrés and Patricia Fernandez de la Cruz with the Exceptional Leadership & Impact Award and the Dubliner's Daniel J. Coleman with the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award for 44 years in business, respectively. Produced by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, this year's decor included food-inspired mural installations by Design Foundry, a live art installation from Kelly Walker, and "listening zones" with Spotify playlists from D.C. chefs and restaurateurs. Next: June 2019
Photo: Kalorama Photo
2. Metro Cooking D.C.
#2 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Celebrity chefs like Food Network’s Guy Fieri, Carla Hall, and star D.C. chef José Andrés headlined the 12th annual food fest at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in December 2017. More than 10,000 people attended this popular event produced by E.J. Krause & Associates, which also boasted more than 200 specialty food exhibitors and local acclaimed chefs like Erik Bruner-Yang of Maketto, Vikram Sunderam of Rasika, and Amy Brandwein of Centrolina. Metro Cooking D.C. added the new Virginia’s Finest Pavilion showcasing dozens of Virginia specialty food manufacturers, the Made in D.C. Pavilion showcasing the D.C.-made products, and Cooking Light Lounge hosted by Cooking Light magazine. Next: December 1-2, 2018
Celebrity chefs like Food Network’s Guy Fieri, Carla Hall, and star D.C. chef José Andrés headlined the 12th annual food fest at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in December 2017. More than 10,000 people attended this popular event produced by E.J. Krause & Associates, which also boasted more than 200 specialty food exhibitors and local acclaimed chefs like Erik Bruner-Yang of Maketto, Vikram Sunderam of Rasika, and Amy Brandwein of Centrolina. Metro Cooking D.C. added the new Virginia’s Finest Pavilion showcasing dozens of Virginia specialty food manufacturers, the Made in D.C. Pavilion showcasing the D.C.-made products, and Cooking Light Lounge hosted by Cooking Light magazine. Next: December 1-2, 2018
Photo: Rey Lopez
3. Sips & Suppers
#3 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Ten years ago, famed chefs Alice Waters and José Andrés and cookbook author Joan Nathan created D.C. fund-raiser Sips & Suppers, and this year's 10th annual event raised more than $650,000 for local organizations DC Central Kitchen and Martha’s Table ($50,000 more than last year). The January event hosted some 1,000 guests on a Saturday at the Newseum for bites and drinks from restaurants like Alta Strada, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Rappahannock River Oyster Company, Radiator, and Oyamel. The JetBlue Lounge returned to the event, as mixologist Gina Chersevani whipped up cocktails passed throughout the space on airplane bar carts. This year, MGM National Harbor sponsored a lounge at the Newseum featuring bites from its restaurants along with three "Partyvators" in the elevator. Then on Sunday, chefs prepared dinner in the homes of more than 35 hosts. Next: January 26-28, 2019
Ten years ago, famed chefs Alice Waters and José Andrés and cookbook author Joan Nathan created D.C. fund-raiser Sips & Suppers, and this year's 10th annual event raised more than $650,000 for local organizations DC Central Kitchen and Martha’s Table ($50,000 more than last year). The January event hosted some 1,000 guests on a Saturday at the Newseum for bites and drinks from restaurants like Alta Strada, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Rappahannock River Oyster Company, Radiator, and Oyamel. The JetBlue Lounge returned to the event, as mixologist Gina Chersevani whipped up cocktails passed throughout the space on airplane bar carts. This year, MGM National Harbor sponsored a lounge at the Newseum featuring bites from its restaurants along with three "Partyvators" in the elevator. Then on Sunday, chefs prepared dinner in the homes of more than 35 hosts. Next: January 26-28, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of DC Central Kitchen
4. National Harbor Wine & Food Festival
#4 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #5)
Food and wine lovers convened in April at the 10th annual Wine and Food Festival at National Harbor's waterfront. Produced by Trigger Street, this year saw the debut of the Bubbles Champagne Lounge complete with a DJ and champagne flights. Top chefs hit the cooking stage, including Scott Drewno of Chiko, Amy Brandwein of Centrolina, Victor Albisu of Taco Bamba, Alex McCoy of Lucky Buns, and Rock Harper of Rock Solid Creative Food. About 7,500 attended the festival on Saturday, and weather dampened the enthusiasm on Sunday, with attendance at 2,500. Next: May 4-5, 2019
Food and wine lovers convened in April at the 10th annual Wine and Food Festival at National Harbor's waterfront. Produced by Trigger Street, this year saw the debut of the Bubbles Champagne Lounge complete with a DJ and champagne flights. Top chefs hit the cooking stage, including Scott Drewno of Chiko, Amy Brandwein of Centrolina, Victor Albisu of Taco Bamba, Alex McCoy of Lucky Buns, and Rock Harper of Rock Solid Creative Food. About 7,500 attended the festival on Saturday, and weather dampened the enthusiasm on Sunday, with attendance at 2,500. Next: May 4-5, 2019
Photo: Kimchi
5. Capital Food Fight
#5 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #8)
D.C. Central Kitchen’s culinary battle moved to buzzy new concert hall the Anthem on the southwest waterfront for its 15th anniversary. This year, the event was hosted by star local chefs José Andrés and Spike Mendelsohn with celebrity judges like Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and Top Chef's Tom Colicchio. Chef Autumn Cline of Rappahannock Oyster Company took home the title, beating Kyle Bailey of the Salt Line, Alex McCoy of Lucky Buns, and Kevin Tien of Himitsu. The event raised over $770,000 to support its mission to fight hunger, an increase over last year's $638,000 total. Next: Fall 2019
D.C. Central Kitchen’s culinary battle moved to buzzy new concert hall the Anthem on the southwest waterfront for its 15th anniversary. This year, the event was hosted by star local chefs José Andrés and Spike Mendelsohn with celebrity judges like Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and Top Chef's Tom Colicchio. Chef Autumn Cline of Rappahannock Oyster Company took home the title, beating Kyle Bailey of the Salt Line, Alex McCoy of Lucky Buns, and Kevin Tien of Himitsu. The event raised over $770,000 to support its mission to fight hunger, an increase over last year's $638,000 total. Next: Fall 2019
Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty
6. Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle
#6 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Downtown D.C. transforms into a cookout each summer for the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on historic Pennsylvania Avenue. This year's 26th annual event drew 100,000 and raised $680,000 for the U.S.O. while donating food to the Capital Area Food Bank. This year, 30 bands performed on three stages, and restaurants from around the country served barbecue favorites. Attractions included Johnsonville’s Big Taste “World’s Largest” Grill, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, and a cooking contest, in which Serial Grillers of Memphis, Tennessee, won the title of Grand Champion. Next: June 22-23, 2019
Downtown D.C. transforms into a cookout each summer for the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle on historic Pennsylvania Avenue. This year's 26th annual event drew 100,000 and raised $680,000 for the U.S.O. while donating food to the Capital Area Food Bank. This year, 30 bands performed on three stages, and restaurants from around the country served barbecue favorites. Attractions included Johnsonville’s Big Taste “World’s Largest” Grill, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, and a cooking contest, in which Serial Grillers of Memphis, Tennessee, won the title of Grand Champion. Next: June 22-23, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle
7. Chefs for Equality
#7 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
The seventh annual Chefs for Equality from HRC Foundation and event creator David Hagedorn moved to the Washington National Cathedral for the first time this year. The sold-out October event dedicated to L.G.B.T.Q. equality brought together 600 chefs and more than 120 of the city's top chefs, pastry chefs, and mixologists. Christopher Vazquez and Rick Davis of Amaryllis Floral & Event Design transformed the venue, which was also accented by elaborate custom wedding cakes. Top auction items included a weeklong stay at an eight-bedroom home in Umbria, Italy, that went for $12,000; and dinner for two at three-Michelin-star Inn at Little Washington that went for $10,000. The evening's featured speaker was the campaign's own Charlotte Clymer, who spoke about the importance of inclusivity at restaurants. The event raised more than $300,000. Next: Fall 2019
The seventh annual Chefs for Equality from HRC Foundation and event creator David Hagedorn moved to the Washington National Cathedral for the first time this year. The sold-out October event dedicated to L.G.B.T.Q. equality brought together 600 chefs and more than 120 of the city's top chefs, pastry chefs, and mixologists. Christopher Vazquez and Rick Davis of Amaryllis Floral & Event Design transformed the venue, which was also accented by elaborate custom wedding cakes. Top auction items included a weeklong stay at an eight-bedroom home in Umbria, Italy, that went for $12,000; and dinner for two at three-Michelin-star Inn at Little Washington that went for $10,000. The evening's featured speaker was the campaign's own Charlotte Clymer, who spoke about the importance of inclusivity at restaurants. The event raised more than $300,000. Next: Fall 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Chefs for Equality
8. Smithsonian Food History Gala Dinner
#8 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (new to the list)
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is home to Julia Child's kitchen, and each year, the museum hosts acclaimed chefs for its Food History Weekend Gala. At this November's sold-out fourth annual black-tie event with 277 guests, Border Grill's Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger received the Julia Child Award in honor of their contributions to the way America cooks, eats, and drinks. The chefs created a menu for the gala inspired by their culinary journey, serving dishes like chicken with basmati rice and pickled tomatoes. Chef Bobby Flay served as master of ceremonies and former Bon Appetit editor in chief Barbara Fairchild and chef Traci Des Jardins spoke. This year’s event exceeded years past for a new fund-raising record, and all funding was directed toward the production of major upgrades to the museum's exhibition, "Food: Transforming the American Table." Next: November 7, 2019
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is home to Julia Child's kitchen, and each year, the museum hosts acclaimed chefs for its Food History Weekend Gala. At this November's sold-out fourth annual black-tie event with 277 guests, Border Grill's Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger received the Julia Child Award in honor of their contributions to the way America cooks, eats, and drinks. The chefs created a menu for the gala inspired by their culinary journey, serving dishes like chicken with basmati rice and pickled tomatoes. Chef Bobby Flay served as master of ceremonies and former Bon Appetit editor in chief Barbara Fairchild and chef Traci Des Jardins spoke. This year’s event exceeded years past for a new fund-raising record, and all funding was directed toward the production of major upgrades to the museum's exhibition, "Food: Transforming the American Table." Next: November 7, 2019
Photo: Jaclyn Nash
