Join Deborah Smith—founder and executive editor of Jersey Bites and author of The Jersey Shore Cookbook—at MetroCooking DC: Washington D.C.’s largest two-day culinary showcase on December 3 and 4 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Showgoers will have the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season and shop from aisles of specialty food products—many featuring some of the DC area’s top gourmet purveyors—including a wide variety of gift options, while enjoying live demos from James Beard-honored celebrity chefs, partaking in interactive and informative workshops, and enjoying book signings from some of the most celebrated culinary authors in our country. All of this is included in a general admission ticket priced at $21.50 for adults and $10 for children (ages 4 to 12). This event, in its eleventh year, is organized by E.J. Krause & Associates.
The James Beard Foundation Cooking Stage welcomes an all-star lineup this year, including demos from culinary legends including Jacques Pepin, Tom Colicchio, Duff Goldman (Charm City Cakes, Ace of Cakes), and celebrated Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) RAMMY award-winners and local DC.-area-based chefs including Erik Bruner-Yang of Maketto, Scott Drewno of The Source, Chef Peter Chang, and more. On Saturday, chefs from L’Academie de Cuisine will lead hands-on cooking classes.
Deborah will speak on Sunday at 12:15 p.m., as part of the event’s Taste Talks series. Her topic, How To Grow Your Blog Into a Career, will be of particular interest to the many food writers in attendance. (Admission is part of the general admission ticket.) You can find all ticket information here. A book signing of The Jersey Shore Cookbook will follow, at 1 p.m.
Interactive stops throughout the event are also worth adding to your itinerary. The Beer, Wine & Spirits Garden, open both days, will serve as the ultimate spot for sipping craft beer, specialty wines, and spirits. Following the success of the launch of last year’s BBQ Bash, it will return on Saturday, December 3, with Chef David Guas, author of Grill Nation and star of the Travel Channel’s American Grilled, as the host of this special event.
Attendees will be able to sample an assortment of meats from the area’s top barbecue restaurants and pit masters, while also discovering the latest grilling tips and trends. On Sunday, December 4, more than 50 restaurants will serve up signature sweet and savory bites at the fourth annual Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s Grand Tasting Pavilion.
Throughout the two-day event there will be nonstop activities including ongoing tastings, demos, and home entertaining and cooking workshops. Known to be a great shopping show, this year 200 specialty food exhibitors will showcase products—many for sale, making the event the perfect place to shop for holiday gifts for gourmands. The popular Natural Products and Healthy Living Pavilion will also be back.
General admission tickets are priced at $21.50, which includes admission to the James Beard Stage; cooking classes; and the Beer, Wine & Spirits Garden. The BBQ Bash and RAMW Grand Tasting Pavilion are special ticketed events and sold separately. VIP ticket packages are available, which will afford an exclusive meet and greet with Tom Colicchio, Jacques Pepin, or Duff Goldman, plus access to additional ticketed special events.
The show will take place December 3 and 4 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Doors open at 10 a.m.
