Upcoming Events: Safeway BBQ Battle and More!

Join us for the 21st Annual Safeway BBQ Battle, June 22 and 23 in Washington, DC.  Pennsylvania Avenue will be Smokin' with 30 bands on 3 stages like The Wailers and Roy Ayers on the Pepsi Next - Lay's Sound stage and EU and Kristen and the Noise on the Famous Dave's Stage.  Enjoy delicious free food samples in the Safeway Sampling Pavilion, cooking demonstrations by Celebrity Chefs like the "BBQ Pitmasters" TV Show and others, interactive exhibits such as NBA Nation and the Big Bite Tour, Family Friendly Activities, and The National BBQ Championship where the best BBQ Chefs from across the country compete for over $40,000 in cash and prizes. Tickets are $12 for adults, Kids 12 and under are Free.

BOURBON STEAK is offering the Charcuterie and Riesling class as part of the “Summer of Riesling” promotion, taking place at select restaurants across the country from June 21st through September 21st. Throughout these three months, Julian will offer several Riesling wines available by the glass and bottle in the lounge and restaurant. The “Summer of Riesling” featured wines are: Leitz "Dragonstone" Riesling, Rheingau, Germany ($12); Ovum "Off the Grid" Riesling, Oregon, USA ($15); and Trimbach Riesling, Alsace, France ($10).

Alexandria Food and Wine Festival - June 22: 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. Cost: FREE; however tickets are needed to sample food and beverages. Hours: 12-7 p.m.

The Park Hyatt Masters of Food and Wine will be hosted by the Park Hyatt Washington on Saturday, June 22nd. Located at the Port City Brewing Company (3950 Wheeler Avenue, Alexandria, Va. 22304), the event will feature a special tour (from 12pm to 2pm) and tasting led by Port City's founder, Bill Butcher. To compliment the tour and tasting, Park Hyatt Washington and Blue Duck Tavern's Executive Chef, Sebastien Archambault will prepare savory dishes celebrating summer flavors. Tickets are priced at $55 per person, all inclusive and seating is limited to 20 guests. Reservations may be made by emailing masters.phwashington@hyatt.com or by calling (202) 419-6768. For more information on other Park Hyatt Masters events, please visit www.mastersfoodandwine.com. 

Tickets on Sale for 2013 RAMMY Awards: Tickets are now on sale for the DC area's hottest foodie fete, the 31st annual RAMMY Awards, celebrating the city's vibrant restaurant industry. The black tie event will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC on Sunday, June 23rd. This year, the awards ceremony format has expanded to accommodate the 1600+ bartenders, restaurateurs and other industry professionals in attendance. The highly anticipated ceremony will announce coveted honors such as "Chef of the Year," "Best New Restaurant" and "Rising Culinary Star" which are bestowed to only the city's top restaurant leaders.  The evening will begin with a cocktail reception at 6pm followed by the awards ceremony, a buffet-style dinner, and a live band with dancing until midnight. Tickets to the RAMMYS are available for $225 for RAMW members, $300 for non-members, and may be purchased online at www.therammys.org, by calling 202.331.5990 or by email at therammys@ramw.org.

Join José Andrés and friends at the Dine n Dash on Tuesday, June 25th from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (VIP tour starts at 5:30pm). Map out a culinary adventure through Penn Quarter and sample specialty plates and drinks from six of the top DC restaurants, including Azur, Jaleo, Oyamel, Poste, Proof and Zaytinya. Tickets start at $150 for the culinary tour and $350 for a VIP experience that includes an additional stop at the exclusive barmini alongside José Andres himself. All proceeds will benefit World Central Kitchen. To purchase tickets, please visit: www.worldcentralkitchen.org

Happy Hour:  The Old Angler’s Inn, located at 10801 MacArthur Blvd in Potomac, MD 20854, is the perfect happy hour oasis with food and drink specials available Monday through Friday from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.  The happy hour menu features $5 select wine and rail cocktails and $3.50 domestic beers that can be enjoyed in the Beer Garden located behind the Inn. Guests can also enjoy half off pricing with select bar menu items including the All Beef Hot dog served with potato chips; the Angler’s Cheeseburger with sharp cheddar cheese, special sauce, and chips, and PEI Mussels with coconut milk and curry. For additional information, please call (301) 299-9097 or visit www.oldanglersinn.com.