Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or veg-curious, DC VegFest (www.dcvegfest.com) is the place to be on September 20th from 11-6pm. More than 15,000 people from the Washington, DC area are expected to attend this yearly celebration of the best of everything vegetarian in and around the nation’s capital.
“From free vegan food samples and cooking demos to a kids activity area and live music, DC VegFest has something for everyone,” says Erica Meier, Executive Director of Compassion Over Killing, the event organizer. “Now in its sixth year, this free outdoor event is the perfect way to spend a beautiful fall afternoon with your family and friends – including your furry four-legged friends who can enjoy free treats in our new Barking Lot.”
During this day-long celebration, more than 100 exhibitors, partners, and sponsors will showcase a wide range of products, services and resources to help Washington, DC-area consumers learn more about why eating a plant-based diet and choosing vegetarian foods is one of the best ways to help protect our health, the planet and animals. VegFest will take place at Yards Park, 355 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003.
Speakers include:
- Robin Quivers — Co-host of the Howard Stern show and author of The Vegucation of Robin
- Doron Petersan – Owner of the award-winning Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats
- Joe Yonan — Washington Post Food Editor and cookbook author
- Lesley Parker-Rollins — Vegan mom and host of Ask a Vegan Family
- Bryant Terry – Eco-chef and author of The Inspired Vegan and Afro-Vegan
- Dr. Neal Barnard – President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
- Alexis Fox and Micah Risk of Lighter Nutrition Coaching and Community
- Dr. Betty Smith — 73-year old ultra-marathon runner
- John Schlimm — activist, artist, and international award-winning cookbook author
DC VegFest highlights the many benefits and flavors of vegetarian eating and shows how easy and delicious it is to choose healthier, more sustainable, and kinder foods. Attendees will enjoy free food samples from So Delicious, Tofurky, Larabar, Way Better Snacks, Relay Foods, along with nearly two dozen food vendors including Vegan Treats, Bread & Brew, Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats, Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza, Dama Ethiopian and more.
During the day-long festival, attendees can peruse exhibitor booths from such animal-friendly organizations and companies as Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, the Humane Society of the United States, Conscious Corner, A Well-Fed World, Animal Rescue Bar, Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness, and many more.
In addition to this event being free and open to everyone, the first 1,000 attendees will also get a free 2014 commemorative DC VegFest tote bag loaded with veg-friendly products, coupons and more!
The DC VegFest was originally founded by the Vegetarian Society of DC and has been organized by Compassion Over Killing since 2009.
Please use #DCVegFest14 to follow along with us on social media.
Park Hyatt Washington will host its Park Hyatt Masters of Food & Wine, a seasonal culinary & beverage experience on Saturday, September 20, saluting the best ingredients of the new fall season. Guests will enjoy the tastes and flavors from Blue Duck Tavern’s talented chefs, regional artisans and local beverage partners.
Join Blue Duck Tavern’s celebrated culinary team outside on the garden terrace to feast on roasted pig, braised meats, whole roasted fish, seasonal salads, farm vegetables, artisan bread, house made desserts, and hand-cranked ice creams, accompanied by wines from The Boxwood Winery in Middleburg, VA and craft beer from Port City Brewing Company in Alexandria, VA. Tickets are priced at $165 per person, inclusive.
WHERE: Blue Duck Tavern Terrace
1201 24th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
WHEN: Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 6:00 pm
On September 22, culinary personalities from around the country will gather in Washington for a first-of-its kind charity roast of D.C. chef and pioneering restaurateur, Nora Pouillon. The night of food, comedy and philanthropy will be held at Dock 5 in Union Market, and honor Nora’s legacy, while poking some fun at her occasional foibles. All proceeds from the inaugural Chef’s Roast will benefit the Chef Action Network, an organization dedicated to building the next generation of chefs advocating for policies that support health, nutrition and sustainability.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the event will feature a series of roasters who will offer anecdotes and commentary on Pouillon’s storied culinary career, which saw the Austrian-born chef open Restaurant Nora in 1979 in Washington’s Dupont Circle neighborhood, and eventually turn it into America’s first certified organic restaurant.
The list of roasters is a who’s who of food world personalities, environmental and food issue advocates, including:
- Chef Rick Bayless – Frontera Grill, Toplobompo and Xoco
- Chef Carla Hall – Co-host of ABC’s The Chew
- Chef Michel Nischan – Wholesome Wave and Chef Action Network
- Chef Mary Sue Milliken – Border Grill Restaurants and James Beard Foundation trustee
- Chef Patrick O’Connell – The Inn at Little Washington
- Chef Ann Cooper – “The Renegade Lunch Lady”
- Ken Cook – President, Environmental Working Group
- Jim Crawford – Owner, New Morning Farm, Founding Member, Tuscarora Organic Growers
- Robert Egger – Founder and President, LA Kitchen, Former President, DC Central Kitchen
The inaugural Chef’s Roast is the brainchild of Arabella Advisors founder and managing director, Eric Kessler, and his wife, Sharapat Kessler, who also serve as event chairs on the host committee. “The Chef Action Network does a remarkable job helping chefs shine a spotlight on important culinary and environmental issues,” said Eric, “and we are thrilled to be able to support it while also paying tribute to Nora, a truly remarkable talent who has had a major, if often underappreciated, influence on American dining.”
During the proceedings, guests will enjoy a Nora-inspired feast prepared by culinary luminaries:
- Cathal Armstrong (Restaurant Eve, Eamonn’s, PX, The Majestic and Society Fair)
- Scott Drewno (The Source by Wolfgang Puck)
- Mike Isabella (Graffiato, Kapnos and G)
- Kate Jansen (Pastry Chef at Willow)
- Haidar Karoum (Proof, Estadio, Doi Moi)
- Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill Restaurants)
- John Mooney (Bidwell, Bell, Book & Candle)
- Tracy O’Grady (Willow)
- Mikaela Reuben (Private Chef, Vancouver, BC)
- Andrea Reusing (The Lantern)
- Christian Thornton (Atria)
- Sherry Yard (Helms Bakery)
Individual tickets to the Chef’s Roast are $300, while tables for 10 can be reserved for $7,000-$30,000 inclusive of unique opportunities, including a meet and greet with chefs and celebrity roasters. All tickets are available through Eventrbite.
About the Chef Action Network
The Chef Action Network (CAN) is a non-profit organization that connects chefs to tools and resources that will help them create significant and lasting change in their communities, the country and the world. CAN is focused on harnessing the power of America’s preeminent chefs in support of a strong, sustainable, just and healthy food system. www.chefactionnetwork.com
Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm
In Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future, the co-founder of PayPal draws on his experience investing in hundreds of start-ups and shares what he has learned about how to build companies that create new things.
with Politics & Prose
WHAT: FIGMENT DC – Free Participatory Art Phenomenon
WHEN: Saturday September 27, 11am-5pm, Sunday September 28, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Anacostia Park, Section E at the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, WDC
A “Leave No Trace” event, FIGMENT DC features local artists whose art submerges participants in interactive co-creation. The event is totally free and open to the public, and provides a much-needed platform for emerging artists to engage with a diverse audience, and share their artistic visions. In a culture where passive spectatorship often prevails over active engagement, FIGMENT DC builds community among urban residents and suburbanites alike, as we all collaborate together in generating our collective FIGMENT experience. Family-friendly and completely non-commercial, FIGMENT transforms the beautiful outdoor space of Anacostia Park into a magical, colorful playground that everyone can enjoy.
“FIGMENT is an opportunity for our DC community to come together and enjoy art in all its forms,” says Patty Simonton, director of FIGMENT DC 2014. “Unlike most art galleries in Washington, FIGMENT erases the lines between those who create and those who view art so that everyone can become an artist. DC really does have a thriving, creative arts community and this event brings that artistic energy out to a broad audience.”
Concurrent with the announcement of FIGMENT DC 2014 dates, organizers have launched a crowdfunding campaign, “Your Creativity, Your Participation, Your FIGMENT” to raise $9,200 to provide logistics and services such as water, security, equipment and other associated costs. Strictly non-commercial and not for profit, FIGMENT DC accepts no corporate funding or advertising, and hence relies entirely upon individual donations and support. Consistent with the FIGMENT ethos of participation and personal creativity, “perks,” or gifts given in gratitude for donations, include interactive experiences such as singing lessons. Local DC area artists have also made their artworks available as gifts, to help the campaign meet its goal. The campaign, along with a new video about why FIGMENT is such a special part of the creative community in the Greater Washington area can be found at: http://startsomegood.com/
WHAT: FIGMENT DC – Free Participatory Art Phenomenon
WHEN: Saturday September 27, 11am-5pm, Sunday September 28, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Anacostia Park, Section E at the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, WDC
A “Leave No Trace” event, FIGMENT DC features local artists whose art submerges participants in interactive co-creation. The event is totally free and open to the public, and provides a much-needed platform for emerging artists to engage with a diverse audience, and share their artistic visions. In a culture where passive spectatorship often prevails over active engagement, FIGMENT DC builds community among urban residents and suburbanites alike, as we all collaborate together in generating our collective FIGMENT experience. Family-friendly and completely non-commercial, FIGMENT transforms the beautiful outdoor space of Anacostia Park into a magical, colorful playground that everyone can enjoy.
“FIGMENT is an opportunity for our DC community to come together and enjoy art in all its forms,” says Patty Simonton, director of FIGMENT DC 2014. “Unlike most art galleries in Washington, FIGMENT erases the lines between those who create and those who view art so that everyone can become an artist. DC really does have a thriving, creative arts community and this event brings that artistic energy out to a broad audience.”
Concurrent with the announcement of FIGMENT DC 2014 dates, organizers have launched a crowdfunding campaign, “Your Creativity, Your Participation, Your FIGMENT” to raise $9,200 to provide logistics and services such as water, security, equipment and other associated costs. Strictly non-commercial and not for profit, FIGMENT DC accepts no corporate funding or advertising, and hence relies entirely upon individual donations and support. Consistent with the FIGMENT ethos of participation and personal creativity, “perks,” or gifts given in gratitude for donations, include interactive experiences such as singing lessons. Local DC area artists have also made their artworks available as gifts, to help the campaign meet its goal. The campaign, along with a new video about why FIGMENT is such a special part of the creative community in the Greater Washington area can be found at: http://startsomegood.com/
When: Friday, October 3, 7:00-10:30 pm
Where: The Art League Gallery, Torpedo Factory Art Center
How much: Tickets: $35 ($45 after September 19). Must be 21+ to attend. Click here to purchase.
Seven craft beers from six local breweries have been artfully paired with a work of art from an Art League instructor. Local restaurants have chosen a brew/artwork coupling to serve as their muse to create the perfect complementary appetizer. Enjoy the numerous brew, bite, and artwork trifectas on Friday, October 3 from 7:00 to 10:30 pm at The Art League’s first Art on Tap event.
Sample the creative combinations in a take-home Art on Tap beer tasting glass and vote for your favorite and the end of the event!
Featuring live music by Shark Week & Greenland!
Participating breweries:
Devils Backbone Brewing Company (Charlottesville, VA)
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Richmond, VA) – presenting two beers
Heavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, MD)
Port City Brewing Company (Alexandria, VA)
Starr Hill Brewery (Charlottesville, VA)
Three Brothers Brewing Company (Harrisonburg, VA)
Participating restaurants:
Location:
105 North Union Street
Studio 21
(located in the Torpedo Factory Art Center)
Alexandria, VA 22314
Information:
703-683-1780
The Fourth Annual Taste of DC will take over Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday, October 11 and Sunday October 12, 2014. The largest Mid-Atlantic culinary festival will bring to the Nation’s Capital two days of the region’s very best food, drink and entertainment. WHAT: Attendees will be able to sample food from more than 70 of the region’s most popular restaurants, food trucks, caterers and purveyors; taste over 50 beers in the Stella Artois Beer Garden; sample more than 100 wines on the Taste of DC Wine Walk and enjoy nonstop entertainment on three different stages.
Saturday, October 11 – 3 PM: The 4th Annual Ben’s Chili Bowl World Chili Eating Championship. Contestants include some of the world’s most famous professional eaters including Joey “Jaws” Chestnut and Sonya “The Black Widow” vying for the World Championship title. The competition takes place on the Taste of DC Main Stage.
Sunday, October 12 – 4-8 pm: Heritage BBQ Cochon 555 Five local superstar chefs will create their version of a globally-influenced menu featuring whole heritage bred pigs. Each will make 6 dishes. Competing chefs: Scott Drewno (The Source by Wolfgang Puck), Erik Bruner-Yang (Maketto), Kyle Bailey (Birch & Barley), Joe Palma (Bourbon Steak), George Pagonis (Kapnos). Ten other chefs also will prepare BBQ items.
This event is ticketed: General admission: $100, VIP Early Admission $200. WHERE: Pennsylvania Ave. between 9th – 14th Streets NW
WHEN: Saturday, October 11 and Sunday October 12 – Noon to 7 p.m. each day. Special ticketing packages will be available for every Taste, including Beer Lovers, Wine Lovers and Heritage BBQ Cochon 555: Information at www.thetasteofdc.org/tickets. PRICE: General admission: $10; Children 6-12 yrs $5; children under 5 free.
