The 2nd annual Launch Pad, a culinary business competition created by Union Market, Mess Hall and RIS
Guests at the finale will be treated to cocktails and small bites as finalists Arepa Zone, Bao Bros Bar, Half Smoke, Whisked, and Bene pitch their original concepts. The winner will be announced by a panel of judges, including restaurant mavens Patrick O’Connell, Aaron Silverman, Drew Nieporent, Dav
An after-party will feature chefs’ tables with previous Launch Pad contestants, judges, and advisors. Guests will mingle with food and drink mavens such as DC Brau‘s Jeff Hancock, Mari Rodela, and Brendan Skall, Cake Love owner Warren Brown, and Capital Kombucha owner John Lee, among others. Locally produced snacks and beverages will be provided, and hometown bartenders will mix specialty cocktails featuring Jefferson’s Ridiculously Small Batch Bourbon, Gosling’s Rums, and Pallini Limoncello.
Who: Union Market, Mess Hall, RIS owner Ris Lacoste
What: Launch Pad Grand Finale
Where: Dock 5, Union Market (1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002)
When: Sunday, July 12, 1pm-5pm
Tickets: $25 | Tickets can be purchased here.
WHAT: A special dinner with wine and a discussion of her new book, In a French Kitchen with author Susan Herrmann Loomis, hosted by Chefs Christophe & Michelle Poteaux. The book is a collection of tales from the kitchens of home cooks throughout France capturing the delightful celebration of French life and the cooks who turn even the simplest meals into an occasion. On the eve of Bastille Day, the Chefs Poteaux will serve:
Amuse et Kir
Melon et jambon sale – Virginia made prosciutto, compressed cantaloupe, micro basil, Banyuls vinegar reduction
Poulet roti au romarin et aux citrons confits – Roasted Amish chicken infused with preserved lemon and rosemary, fingerling potatoes, haricots verts, cipoline, piquillo peppers
Salade verte, chèvre chaud – Fresh goat cheese tartine with organic green salad, Dijon and shallot vinaigrette
Tarte aux citrons, fruits rouges, crème Chantilly – Lemon tart, fresh local berries, Chantilly cream
WHEN: Monday, July 13
6:30pm Reception, Meet & Greet
7pm Dinner
WHERE: Bastille
606 N Fayette St
Alexandria, VA 22314
RSVP: Tickets are $69.00 per person, inclusive of dinner and wine, exclusive of tax or gratuity. Books will be available for purchase for $26.95. Please call (703) 519-3776 or email reservations@bastillerestaurant.com to reserve seats for this special event.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Herrmann Loomis is a France-based, award-winning journalist, author and cooking school proprietor with nine books to her credit, and a professionally trained chef. Among her books are On Rue Tatin, a narrative about her life in France, with recipes which won the IACP best literary food book for 2002, Loomis contributes to many publications including Cooking Light,Metropolitan Home, France Today, and Gastronomica. She has lived in France for nearly twenty years, operates On Rue Tatin, a cultural and culinary cooking program, from her 15th century home in Louviers, France, where she lives with her two children.
Union Market, the vibrant district in Northeast DC, will host its fifth annual DC Scoop event on Saturday, July 18 from 1pm-4pm. The highly-anticipated, free event, which drew over 3,000 Washingtonians last year, will take place at Dock 5, the indoor space above the market. Ice cream vendors from over 15 different creameries will put their best foot forward to win the crown title of “Best Ice Cream,” offering guests a wide array of free samples and servings for purchase, from gelato to ice cream sandwiches, popsicles to soda shoppe-style scoops.
Sweet tooths at the family-friendly event can participate in ice cream-eating contests, raffles, and giveaways. Timber Pizza Co. will provide savory complements to patrons’ favorite desserts, and Union Market vendors Buffalo & Bergen and Trickling Springs will join the fun to serve Root Beer Floats to kids.
Last year’s DC Scoop winner, Nicecream Factory, pairs liquid nitrogen with fresh local ingredients to create flavors for customers on the spot—a business model developed by owners Gilbert Welsford and Sandra Tran. “We were so excited to be recognized,” Welsford exclaimed. “There were so many incredible competitors participating in last year’s DC Scoop event. We’re passionate about what we do and we were glad to provide the DC and Northern Virginia areas with what we think is the best ice cream out there,” he said.
Participants for this year’s DC Scoop include:
• Milk Cult
• Little Baby’s Ice Cream
• Gifford’s
• King of Pop’s
• Carmens
• NiceCream
• Ice Cream Jubilee
• DC Puddin’
• Faithfully Sweet
• Dangerously Delicious Pies
• Suga Mama Sweets
EVENT DETAILS:
Saturday, July 18, 2015
1 – 4 p.m.
Dock 5 @ Union Market
1309 5th Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
Music and fashion go together like love and marriage, they are inseparable; and, like any creative industry, they find innovative ways of thriving through collaboration. Musical accompaniment to collections convey the aesthetic of a designer’s work in ways which presenting the collection on its own, cannot. Creativity is style. In recent years, the music has been, literally, amplified. Live music is now adding to the manifestation of runway; the shows of many major fashion houses now like concerts, its musicians their muse.
Haute Haus Agency presents the latest concept to DC fashion… Rock the Runway DC, a fashion-music-infusion like no other. Guests will be presented with an original couture fashion show, haute gift bags, cocktails, live original music, and more – all surrounding the pool with a DC skyline view. Headlining designer is fashion powerhouse Marchesa graciously lending its iconic collections. A portion of the proceeds benefit Music Unites, the leading charity organization supporting music education around the world.
VIP guests include: T.H.E. Artist Agency’s Lynda Erkiletian and Elizabeth Centenari (all models donated by T.H.E. Agency), Grammy-nominated artist Wayna, actress Jamie Hyder (Graceland and True Blood), Music Unites founder Michelle Edgar, and a surprise musical guest that will knock your stilettos off!
WHAT: Rock the Runway DC, a live couture runway show atop VIDA’s penthouse pool set to live original music.
WHO: 300 of DC’s chicest fashion community; including couture brands, trend setters and industry leaders for an evening of fashion, rock, and philanthropy benefitting Music Unites.
WHEN: July 18, 2015 | 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM
WHERE: VIDA Fitness Penthouse Pool & Lounge – The Yards | 1212 4th St SE Washington, DC 20003
FEATURES: Runway Show & Concert – Band: Amber Sands and DJ: Welby Luk, Open bar for the first hour for general ticket holders; hors d’oeuvres for VIP guests (cabanas/day beds for purchase; complimentary dessert bar; swag bags: including restaurant gift cards, flagship store discounts, top-end cosmetics, beauty products, and much more (first 100 guests).
RSVP: General Admission Tickets: $55 – includes: open bar for first hour, complimentary dessert bar, concert, runway show, and haute swag bags for the first 100 guests. Available via: www.RockTheRunwayDC.com. VIP: cabanas and pool-side daybeds (8-15 people) available for group purchase. Includes: hors d’oeuvres, desserts, champagne/liquor cocktails (approx. four-five bottles), branding as event partner, runway/pool-side seating, swag bags, and more! For VIP group purchases please contact us via email: info@hautehausagency.com.
With nearly 500 attendees at its first event, the Taste of National Harbor charity event returns to Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on June 27 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Set along the banks of the Potomac River at the Washington, D.C. regions only waterfront hotel, proceeds of the event will benefit Children’s National Health System, the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital (CMNH) whose main goal is to provide the best possible health care for local kids.
The resort will host the areas local restaurants and brands to showcase the gourmet cuisine visitors can enjoy in National Harbor.
A growing culinary destination, attendees can enjoy a variety of gourmet food samples from the Harbor’s award-winning restaurants paired with domestic wines and craft beers in the hotel’s 19-story glass atrium.
With views of the sun setting over Old Town Alexandria and The Capital Wheel observation wheel, guests can enter-to-win door prizes, watch a “perfect pour” demonstration by Stella Artois and more.
“Children’s National was thrilled with the success of the first Taste of National Harbor event, having raised more than $40,000 for our organization,” said Patricia Jasper-Zellner, Director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Children’s National. “It is wonderful to see all of these industry leaders come together to support our mission again this year.”
Participating restaurants and brands include AC Lounge, Barefoot Wines, Cadillac Ranch, Country Vinters, Granite City Food and Brewery, McLoone’s Pier House, Nando’s Peri-Peri, National Pastime Sports Bar and Grill, New Columbia Distillers, Old Hickory Steakhouse, PEEPS and Company, Pienza Marketplace, The Cocoa Bean, The Sunset Room by Wolfgang Puck, The Walrus Oyster and Ale House and more.
The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals also will announce their new “Champion” ambassador for 2015 during the event. Champions are children selected to share their stories throughout the year in their state, illustrating why children’s hospitals need local charitable support.
The Taste of National Harbor charity event costs $45* per person for pre-purchased tickets and $50* per person the day of the event with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
A burger-themed trophy will be awarded to one lucky winner at the end of the culinary competition.
Pitmaster Rob Sonderman and the DCity Smokehouse team are halting operations at 8 Florida Avenue NW for just one day as they partner with Mess Hall for Barbecue World, an all-inclusive mid-summer soiree.
This highly anticipated summertime celebration will highlight DC’s best BBQ professionals, brews, music, specialty cocktails, and most importantly – food. Unlimited food.
In addition to the DCity Smokehouse team, BBQ World will also showcase Joe Neuman from Sloppy Mama’s. Not only can guests expect ribs, brisket and DCity’s beloved half-smokes and dozens of yummy sides, attended will also be treated Logan’s sausages, brews from kegs of DC Brau, games, and contests in an indoor-outdoor interactive event. Westray’s Finest Ice Cream will rollout their brand new ice cream truck to help keep party goers cool. Westray’s has linked up with One Eight Distilling and Tory Pratt of True Tonics to create booze milkshakes.
In true DC fashion, the BBQ party highlight some of the most popular and renowned brands around DC, but it’s also for a great cause. Mess Hall will donate a percentage of ticket sales to Miriam’s Kitchen.
About DCity Smokehouse
While small in size, DCity Smokehouse restaurant is big in flavor! The current location in Truxton Circle (8 Florida Avenue NW) first opened in October 2013 and quickly became known for serving up “DC style BBQ” cuisine and has received much attention and numerous awards for everything from their ribs to the popular half-smokes, the Meaty Palmer sandwich (voted best sandwich in town) and their delicious sides like the crispy brussels sprouts and green chile cheddar grits. DCity Smokehouse is looking to expand later this year with their new full-service restaurant DCity Smokehouse Taphouse in the Bloomingdale neighborhood.
About Mess Hall
Mess Hall is a unique culinary incubator, born out of a 10,000 square foot warehouse and a need for commercial kitchen space in the city. Shared by food professionals who come together to cook share and collaborate, Mess Hall also houses premium event space with an open demonstration kitchen. The space is often used for pop-up restaurant concepts or other events that revolve around local food concepts. Mess Hall also provides exclusive resources, support, and innovative programs to help pave a path to success for its Members. The facility is located at 703 Edgewood Street, NE, in the historic Edgewood section of Washington, DC – and a 10 minute walk from either Brookland or Rhode Island Avenue Metro Stations.
Location:
Mess Hall
703 Edgewood St, NE
Washington, DC 20017
Date/Time:
Sunday, August 2nd, 2-5pm
Tickets:
$60-$80
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mess-hall-presents-bbq-world-tickets-17752921466?ref=estw
*We do not expect to have tickets at the door as this is likely to sell out
Connect:
#BBQWorld
EatWell DC’s restaurants will host the 4th Annual Dining Out With The Dogs on August 10, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to close to benefit City Dogs Rescue.
Participating restaurants Commissary, Grillfish, Logan Tavern & The Pig will all donate 15% of dinner sales to the organization that works to rescue adoptable dogs in overcrowded and high-kill shelters throughout DC.
This event, named the Washington City Paper’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Charity Event in 2015, has raised more than $17,000 in its first three years and organizers hope to surpass a 2015 goal of $8,000.
“City Dogs Rescue’s mission is one that resonates with our company and for so many of our guests,” says EatWell DC Partner Josh Hahn, who helped to launch EatWell DC’s charitable arm GiveWell in 2010. “GiveWell allows for us to have a greater impact on the charities and community organizations in which we believe, and City Dogs does incredible, important work that we want to support.”
To support City Dogs Rescue, diners are encouraged to make a reservation at eatwelldc.com (walk-ins welcome!). Happy hour will run as usual until 7:00 p.m. at each restaurant, but each bar will also have a “late night” happy hour revival from 10:00 – 11:00 p.m. In addition, kids will eat free up until 6:30 p.m. Dogs welcome to join on Commissary, Grillfish, Logan Tavern & The Pigs’ patios, and City Dogs will have adoptable pups greeting guests at each location.