Tuesday, July 5
Nutritionist Diane Welland will be at the Crystal City farmers market (Crystal Dr. between 18th and 20th sts., Arlington) from 3:30 to 4:30 to sign copies of her book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Local. The book includes a guide to what foods are in season when, how to store them, and tips on saving money while eating local.
The Accokeek Foundation (3400 Bryan Point Rd., Accokeek, MD; 301-283-2113) is hosting its monthly Local Food Forum from 6:30 to 8. The group of producers and consumers will talk about locally grown produce, eggs, and meat, including tips on where to find them and how to make them more available.
Wednesday, July 6
Combine a cooking class and social gathering at the International Club of DC's event with Lebanese Taverna in Arlington. The night begins at 6:30 with a wine reception, then guests will learn how to cook Lebanese mezze such as tabouleh, spicy sausages in tomato sauce, and baklava. Afterward, guests will sit down to a dinner of those dishes with wine pairings. Visit the Web site for full details and to purchase tickets ($65 limited discount price; $75 general admission).
Thursday, July 7
This month's Phillips After 5 event at the Phillips Collection features cookies by Top Chef alum Carla Hall as well as a beer pairing. Admission to the event—which also includes a dramatic reading of the play Six Degrees of Separation and a gallery talk about Kandinsky—is $12 (free for Phillips members). The beer-and-cookie tasting runs from 5 to 8:30.
Friday, July 8
Visit the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which runs through Monday, July 11. This year's themes are Colombia, the Peace Corps, and Rhythm and Blues, and events include cooking demonstrations on such foods as regional breads and sausages, cheesemaking, and sweet-corn arepas. For more information and a full schedule of events, click here. Free.
Saturday, July 9
Today is the start of the "Eat Local First" week from the organization Think Local First DC. Restaurants such as Ripple, Tryst, and Local 16 are part of the Farm to Table Restaurant Week, which includes special menus with seasonal ingredients and locally produced goods. Click here for a full lineup of events, such as tours of Arcadia Farm ($15), a pig roast at Local 16 on July 10, and an edible-garden tour on July 15. The week winds down with a "farm to street" party on V Street, Northwest, between 13th and 14th streets, that features craft beer and wine and local food. Visit Eat Local's Web site for more information, and click here to purchase tickets to any of the events.
The writers behind the food-and-fashion blog Bitches Who Brunch are teaming up with chef Ris Lacoste for an afternoon event at Ris from noon to 3. The cocktail party includes bottomless mimosas and passed small plates, as well as a fashion show from Rue 14 and a book signing from Washington journalist Helena Andrews, author the newly published Bitch Is the New Black. Tickets ($45 per person) benefit the Farm to School Network and are available here.
Sunday, July 10
For a boozy afternoon, head to Quill at the Jefferson Hotel, where five mixologists—such as Joe Cleveland (Oyamel), Clinton Terry (PX), Dean Feddaoui (the Beacon Hotel), JP Caceres (Bourbon Steak)—will shake up concoctions with Tequila Ocho Plata Single Estate. At 2 PM, there's a three-tequila tasting before the bartenders compete to make the best cocktail. There'll be a cheese buffet and passed canapes. For tickets ($50), call (202) 448-3274 or e-mail cballadur@jeffersondc.com. Click here (PDF) for more information.
Sample cheeses with local fromagier Carolyn Stromberg at Seasonal Pantry's cheese course, which starts at 4. The class ($40 per person) includes a tasting of six cheeses, which Stromberg will accompany with advice on wine pairings, storage, use, and other practical knowledge. Check the Web site for more information and to purchase tickets.
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Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
