Events/Things To Do

On July 29, 2016 at 6:30p.m. The Fashion Group International® of Greater Washington, DC, Inc. will present The Art of Buying with Ken Downing, Fashion Director & Senior VP of Neiman Marcus.

FGIDC Regional Director Elaine Mensah will lead an intimate discussion on the ins and outs of buying in the fashion industry with Ken Downing, the famed tastemaker who oversees women’s and men’s trends for Neiman Marcus, manages a team of fashion editors in the company’s New York office, and provides a vision for over 200 merchants on the season’s trends.

“Mr. Downing is widely recognized as one of the most influential personalities in fashion.  We are so honored to host him and bring his energy and multi-faceted knowledge of the fashion industry to our members and the Washington DC area fashion professionals interested in joining our organization,” said FGIDC Director Elaine Mensah.

Downing rose through the ranks of Neiman Marcus after starting with the company in 1990 in the Visual department of the Beverly Hills store.  His experience covers the worlds of visual display, public relations, buying and trend analysis.  Downing is a graduate of Seattle Central College and The Fashion Institute of Technology and has a degree in apparel design.

The event will be held at a location to be announced before the event on Friday, July 29, 2016 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm and is open to all at $25 for FGI Members and $40 for non-members.  Downing has generously agreed to sit down with 4 FGI members & DC based designers for one-on-one discussion and collection review. Individuals interested in this opportunity can email rsvp@fgidc.org for more information on how to secure one of these coveted spots.  For tickets and more information on The Art of Buying, visit ‪fgidcxkendowning.eventbrite.com.  #FGIDCxKenDowning
 

Chef Andrew Markert has a huge heart and loathes violence. Like many of us, he is frustrated and sickened by the endless string of gun-induced violence here in America. Chef Markert has observed these atrocities with grief, quietly supporting the advocacy that could help to stop them but unable to participate in the conversation. Not willing to remain silent any longer, he decided to do what the hospitality industry does best—invite your talented friends over to the restaurant and work together to raise money to go toward advocacy and awareness.

On Sunday July 31st, Beuchert’s will host “Forks up, Guns down” at its Capitol Hill location starting at 6:00pm.  Joining Andrew will be Chef Anthony Lombardo (his final event in DC) from The Hamilton, Chef Jesse Miller of Bar Pilar,Chef Kyle Bailey of Sixth Engine, and Celebrity Chef Rock Harper.  To complement the amazing cuisine, Chef Markert invited top beverage folks including Tyler Hudgens (The Dabney), Nate Mann (Room 11), and Chas Jefferson (Cotton & Reed) to name a few.  Cocktails featuring Charm City Mead, Whistle Pig, and other stellar brands will be available all night.  Chefs and mixos will have various stations in the open kitchen and behind the bar.  Gourmet Symphony will be on sight to provide musical entertainment throughout the evening, as well.

Tickets will be $50 and can be purchased through Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/e/forks-up-guns-down-tickets-26573045695.  The entire ticket price will be donated to The Coalition to Stop Gin Violence.  Founded in 1974, the CSVG states on their website “we seek to secure freedom from gun violence through research, strategic engagement and effective policy advocacy.”

In addition to that donation, all servers at Beuchert’s that evening will be volunteering their time.  Any tips given to servers or bartenders will be donated to Everytown for Gun Safety. Everytown says it is “…a movement of Americans working together to end gun violence and build safer communities.” They seek to achieve this using “Voices of the Movement” which include Moms, Mayors, and Survivors.

Chef Markert hopes you will join him and his friends for this outstanding event on July 31^st.

On Monday, August 15, 1986 Park Hyatt Washington DC first opened its doors to Washingtonians and visitors to the nation’s capital. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the iconic luxury hotel, located at 1201 24^th Street, NW, will display an eye-catching six-foot tall birthday cake, prepared by Pastry Chef David Collier, on the corner of 24 & M St. NW, next to the hotel’s landmark fountain. As an added bonus, guests will have the pleasure of enjoying complimentary cupcakes from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.  Passersby can partake in over 300 cupcakes, while supplies last, with two tempting flavors, Vanilla Citrus Sponge with cherry blossom buttercream and Chocolate Cake with caramelized milk and chocolate buttercream.

WHEN:           Monday, August 15^th from 12p.m. To 1 p.m. 

WHERE:         The Park Hyatt Washington is located at 24th and M Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20037.  For additional information please call 800 778 7477 or visit www.parkhyattwashington.com

Join Art and Soul and the Liaison Capitol Hill DC on their Rooftop Pool & Lounge Friday, August 26 for a taco extravaganza hosted by Executive Chef Douglas Alexander (who’ll be manning the grill) and DC Brau. Guests can also bring their bathing suits if they want to take a dip between bites.

• Any combination of three tacos. Chef’s selections include: Cochinita Pibil, Al Pastor, Grilled Chicken, Carne Asada, and Braised Chicken Mole
• An unlimited toppings bar
• A DC Brau

• Tacos a la carte – $5
• Chips & Guacamole – $5
• Chips and Three Salsas – $3
• DC Brau – $6/can and $8/draft.
• Margaritas on tap – $9

The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (www.goldentriangledc.com) will host Chef Kazuhiro “Kaz” Okochi, the head chef at the award-winning KAZ Sushi Bistro at 1915 I Street NW, for an outdoor cooking demonstration, Fri., Sept. 16, from Noon–2 p.m., during Farragut Fridays at Farragut Square Park (at the intersection of K St. and Connecticut Ave. NW). Attendees will learn from Chef Kaz as he prepares a twist on okonomiyaki – a popular Japanese dish, sometimes referred to as “Japanese pizza.”

Okonomiyaki, which is more like a crepe than a pizza, is made from a rich savory cabbage pancake in an egg and flour batter with pork belly, red ginger, smoky dried bonito flakes, Japanese mayonnaise, and a special sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. Samples will be available on a first come, first served basis.

The chef demonstration is part of Farragut Fridays, a weekly outdoor activation of one of the city’s most well-known national parks, which draws more than 39,000 visitors over the summer. Throughout the day, the Golden Triangle BID invites people to use the free Wi-Fi at Outdoor Office and enjoy a variety of pop-up events including adoptable puppies, scavenger hunts and music during lunch. The programming serves as an additional amenity for workers and tourists, as it’s occurring a block from the White House. The complete schedule of activities can be found at goldentriangledc.com/farragutfridays.

“Just one month before the release of Washington, D.C.’s first Michelin Guide, the city’s attention is sure to be on the food scene. These chef demonstrations will give everyone a taste of the creativity and vibrancy of our neighborhood and the more than 32 restaurants here,” says Leona Agouridis, executive director, Golden Triangle BID. “The fact that Michelin decided to bring on of the new guides here doesn’t surprise me. With the diversity and stature of our region, Washington offers unique dining options for workers, tourists, and residents.”

Park Hyatt Washington will host the fall 2016 Park Hyatt Masters of Food & Wine, a seasonal culinary & beverage experience onSaturday, September 17.  This culinary gatheringsalutes the ingredients, flavors, and talents of local chefs, regional artisans and sommeliers, and it will take place aboard Liberté, a custom-designed 74-foot schooner.  Guests will take pleasure in the breathtaking views of Maryland’s Eastern Shore while enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres prepared by Executive Chef Franck Loquet and Blue Duck Tavern’s Chef de Cuisine Brad Deboy, along with wines and fall-inspired cocktails selected by Blue Duck Tavern’s General Manager Joseph Cerione.  Priced at $250 per person (tax not included), the menu will highlight carefully sourced, seasonal fare from local farmers.  Guests will meet Park Hyatt Washington’s culinary team in Annapolis, Maryland to board the schooner for the three-hour sailing experience complete with a bountiful reception.

WHERE:       300 Second Street

Annapolis, Maryland 21403

WHEN:          September 17, 2016 from 2 PM to 5 PM.

HOW:            To purchase tickets, please call + 1 202 419 6620 or

email masters.phwashington@hyatt.com

On Saturday, September 17 from 8pm – 10pm, Shinola (1631 14th St NW) will partner with The Social Club Grooming Company to host an in-store ShopTalk event featuring great conversation and complimentary whiskey tastings from One Eight Distilling. Several panelists will share their business success stories while receiving haircuts from barbers of The Social Club.

Please note that though this event is public, an RSVP email to RSVP_DC@shinola.com is required as space is limited.