Upcoming Events: Safeway BBQ Battle, Alexandria Food and Wine and More!

Alexandria Food and Wine Festival - June 23-24: Sips, slurps, chomps, and laughter will fill the air in Old Town Alexandria in the Carlyle District (300 John Carlyle Street) as the local community gathers together to enjoy the diverse restaurants of Alexandria and Virginia’s wineries for the 1st Annual Alexandria Food and Wine Festival. Enjoy this new lively festival, complete with live entertainment, a children’s corner, food and wine tasting, a food demonstration showcase area and a VIP networking reception for our sponsors. Attendees will be able to sample food and wine from a variety of local restaurants and Virginia’s wineries, including The Chart House, Indigo Landing, and wineries Mattaponi Winery, Unicorn Winery, Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery, and Cedar Creek Winery. Cost: FREE; however tickets are needed to sample food and beverages.  Hours: 12-5 p.m.


Signaling the beginning of summer, June 23rd and 24th, the Safeway Barbecue Battle is one of Washington’s largest and most unique food and music festivals offering the greater DC-area community and visitors a chance to enjoy some of America’s favorite pastimes in the shadow of the Capitol Building.  The two-day festival includes delicious barbecue and taste treats of all kinds from top vendors, plenty of delicious free food samples and two days of non-stop live entertainment, all surrounding one of the nation’s top barbecue cooking competitions. While entertaining so many food, music and fun-lovers, the Safeway Barbecue Battle has also raised over $1.2 million for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and donated goods and funds to other area charities over the years.  Get your tickets for only $12.


Don't miss El Centro's Bottomless Brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Only $35).  (Ongoing)

The Park Hyatt Washington is hosting a Masters of Food and Wine event on Sunday, June 24th.  The Masters is a seasonal culinary experience saluting the ingredients, flavors, and talents of local chefs, regional artisans and producers and will feature a farm-fresh breakfast, educational cooking demonstration, highlighting the seasons best ingredients, and walking tour of the famed Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market.   


Food and Friends signature fundraiser Chef’s Best Dinner and Auction is back for its 22^nd year! On Tuesday, June 26^th, 2012, join more than 1,300 area residents at The Washington Hilton to enjoy special tastings of signature plates from over 50 of the area’s best chef’s. Tickets are $250 each for individuals and can be purchased at www.foodandfriends.org/chefsbest. All proceeds from Chef’s Best will ensure Food & Friends’ clients living with cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses receive delivery of specialized meals and personalized nutrition. Doors open for the main event at 6:30 p.m., with a live auction scheduled for 8:15 p.m.

Washingtonian's Best Of Washington:  National Building Museum - July 11th 6-10pm.  Join Washingtonian magazine for the hottest party of the summer season - the AT and T Best Of Washington blowout event! Last year, more than 1,500 guests, celebrities, and restauranteurs filled the National Building Museum to sample, sip, and socialize. Over 60 of Washingtonian's 100 Very Best Restaurants, such as 1789, Bar Pilar, Bibiana, BGR, BLT Steak, Blue Duck Tavern, Bombay Club, Bourbon Steak, Café du Parc, Cava, CityZen Equinox, Et Voila!, The Majestic, Matchbox, Plume at the Jefferson, PS 7’s, Rasika, The Source,  and  Todd Gray’s Muse at the Corcoran , will serve tastes of their famous dishes. All funds from the silent auction and a portion of the ticket proceeds will once again go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.