Making her first appearance at MetroCooking DC, the region’s largest culinary showcase, Martha Stewart will headline this weekend’s show to be held for its 14th year at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. She will be joined by internationally-renowned chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck as well as Emmy-award winning Lidia Bastianich and the “winningest man in barbeque” TV host and restaurateur Myron Mixon.
Show-goers may shop from aisles of specialty food products, including holiday gift options, experience live demos from James Beard honored chefs, participate in interactive workshops and attend book signings from authors from throughout the country.
At the James Beard Foundation Cooking Stage will be an all-star lineup, including Stewart and Puck, and Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington RAMMY award-winners and local DC area chefs including Victor Albisu, owner of Paco Madre and Taco Bamba restaurant; Amy Brandwein, 2018 RAMMY “Chef of the Year” and three-time Beard “Mid-Atlantic Chef of the Year” nominee, from Centrolina; Erik Bruner-Yang, of Maketto; Haidar Karoum, owner of Chloe along with other regional Beard honored winners and nominees.
Several interactive events within the event include a two-day Beer, Wine & Spirits Garden, with craft beer, specialty wines and spirits plus the dueling pianos from National Harbor’s Bobby McKeys . At the BBQ Bash hosted by Myron Mixon on Saturday. Nov. 16, attendees will find the area’s top barbecue restaurants and pitmasters offering food samples and giving grilling tips and trends. On Sunday, Nov. 17, more than 50 restaurants will serve up signature bites at the Grand Tasting Pavilion benefiting SOME (So Others Might Eat). A Natural Products & Healthy Living pavilion will showcase healthy dining and culinary innovations.
Throughout the two-day event, there will be a plethora of activities including ongoing tastings, demos and home entertaining and cooking workshops. In addition, regional chefs will lead hands on cooking classes.
Known to be a great shopping show, this year 200 specialty food exhibitors will exhibit and sell products making the event a place to shop for holiday gifts for gourmands.
General admission tickets are priced at $21.50, which includes admission to the James Beard Cooking Stage and the Exhibitor Marketplace. The cooking classes, Beer, Wine & Spirits Garden, BBQ Bash and the Grand Tasting are special ticketed events and sold separately. VIP ticket packages are available, which will afford a backstage meet and greet with Stewart and Puck, plus access to additional ticketed special events.
MetroCooking DC show hours are 10 a.m. to 5: 30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17.
