Upcoming Events: 3rd Annual Capital Wine Festival

Third Annual Capital Wine Festival:  The 10-week dinner event kicks off with an opening reception tonight, January 19 at 7 p.m. which will highlight the 10 wineries sponsoring the event. Located at The Fairfax at Embassy Row Hotel, in conjunction with its signature restaurant, 2100 Prime.

Culinaria Cooking School Class on Friday, January 20th:  Chef Gina Stipo is an Italian-American chef living and operating her very own cooking school - Ecco La Cucina - near Siena, Italy where she offers hands-on cooking classes, insights into the cuisine of this beautiful region, and culinary tours.  Visiting the U.S. for only two months this winter, guests who sign up for this one-of-a-kind culinary class will watch as Gina prepares, talks about, and allows the audience to sample her authentic Tuscan fare.

"Beer Walks" - Buy Early and Get the Heat you want!! :  January 21 and 22 (Beer), 2012.  Calling all athletes and couch-potatoes alike! Cross the start line into the shops of Crystal City and rest your weary legs periodically at our hydration stations along the race course- but you won’t find any sports drinks or bananas here- just beer and wine! With 50 + beers & some wines to choose from before the finish line, spend your Saturday or Sunday walking with friends along the The Crystal City Shops. 

Culinaria Cooking School Class on Saturday, January 21st:   Participants will enjoy a hands-on pasta making class with Chef Gina Stipo allowing them to make three different types of pasta and potato gnocchi.

The Kitchen Studio Class on Thursday, January 26th:  Participants will join owner/ founder/ Chef Christine Van Bloem in the kitchen at The Kitchen Studio as they learn how to cook a variety of simple and delicious vegetarian dishes.

J and G Steakhouse will host its first wine dinner of 2012 with Virginia’s Linden Vineyards on Monday, January 30. The four-course dinner with wine pairings features highlights like Seared Cod with Scallion-Chili sauce, Basil and Celery, and Grilled Beef Short Ribs with Red Wine Glaze, Asian Pear and Herbs, and will be led by J&G Sommelier Guy Golan.Ticket/Reservation Info: $115/person, all-inclusive. Reservations are available online. 

Join Smith Commons for the second annual DCBeer.com Bootleggers Beer Dinner on Tuesday, January 31. Focusing on truly out-of-market beers, the dinner features unique pairings from Chef Carlos Delgado like Lime and Orange Macaroons with Foie Gras Mousse paired with Lost Abbey's "Inferno," Goat Cheese Ravioli with a Duo of Raisin Puree and Citrus Pop Rocks paired with Hair of the Dog Brewing Co.'s "Fred," and Braised Pork Belly with Coffee Migas, House Smoked Bacon Lardon, and Smoked Espuma paired with Alaskan Brewing Co.'s Limited Edition "Smoked Porter."  Ticket/Reservation Info: $75/person. Tickets are limited, and can be purchased online starting January 15.

Washington Humane Society Sugar and Champagne Affair February 1st:  Tickets to the general reception are $90. VIP tickets to the Chefs’ Tasting Room are $150; these include a special 90-minute savory reception prior to the unveiling of the desserts. All proceeds from the Sugar and Champagne Affair benefit the animals and the critical programs and services of the Washington Humane Society. For more information, visit www.sugarandchampagne.org. 


Sommelier Showdown, February 9, 7:00pm-9:00pm:  See top DC Sommeliers flex their knowledge at the Washington DC International Wine and Food Festival's inaugural Sommelier Showdown. Our experts will engage in a friendly tête-à-tête and compete in a race of the taste, using deductive tasting to identify wines with hidden labels.   To complement the wines presented, the Showdown will feature five of DCs most noted chefs who will be tasked with bringing food and wine together, including Chefs Todd Gray (Equinox), Xavier Deshayes (Ronald Reagan Building), and Jaime Montes de Oca (Zentan).  Invitation only to select members of the hospitality and restaurant trade, a limited number of tickets will be released to the public at $150. 

February 11-12th,  the 13th Annual Washington DC International Wine and Food Festival (IWFF) will celebrate the world of wine, food and culture, and shine a light on DC's diversity and prominence as a world-class destination for wine and food. 


Todd Gray's Watershed: Skipjack Shrimp Boil and Mardi Gras Celebration.  Friday, February 17, 7:00pm. Watershed's Skipjack Shrimp Boil, the next event in its popular Friday Supper series, is a delicious new addition to DC's Mardi Gras celebrations! Supper begins on the patio with passed hors d'oeuvres, a toasty fire pit with Chef Todd Gray grilling oysters, and friendly neighbors to keep you warm. Dinner continues in the restaurant, with menu highlights such as Crispy Red Cabbage Spring Rolls with Sweet and Sour Ginger Sauce, and Skipjack-sauced Shrimp with Red Bliss Potatoes, Surry Sausage and Slow-Roasted Fennel. The event also features select brews and live music.  Ticket/Reservation Info: $75/person, all-inclusive. Reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling 202.534.1350. *Special 2-for-1 NoMa Neighborhood Offer: For NoMa neighborhood residents, bring a friend and you can both enjoy the Skipjack Shrimp Boil for $75.

Embassy Chef Challenge:  Join Cultural Tourism DC for the 4th Annual Embassy Chef Challenge: DC’s premier international culinary competition on Thursday, March 8 from 7:30 – 10 pm, VIP Reception 6:30 pm.  Co-hosted by Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center:  1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004.