Special sandwiches: José Andrés teams up with Taylor Gourmet for a special sandwich promotion this week: Hoagies for Haiti, which benefits World Central Kitchen. Drop by any Taylor location, Monday through Sunday, for the “Griot and Picklese,” a sour orange and habanero-braised pork sandwich with pickled vegetable salad and caramelized plantain spread. A dollar from every sale goes towards WCK.
Beer dinner: Roofers Union teams up with Denizens Brewing Company on Tuesday from 6:30 to 10 for a dinner of unusual dishes and beer pairings. Chef Marjorie Meek Bradley prepares four courses, such as shrimp veracruz paired with a mezcal barrel-aged brew. Tickets ($65 all-inclusive) are available online.
Book talk: Head to Busboys & Poets in Brookland on Tuesday at 6:30 for a discussion with Jeff Alworth, author of The Beer Bible. The Oregon-based writer talks about his new work. Admission is free and open to the public.
Food fight: One of the biggest foodie gatherings of the year goes down on Thursday: Capital Food Fight, a celebrity chef-filled benefit for DC Central Kitchen. Seventy five restaurants provide food and beverages, while a number of local chefs like Nick Stefanelli (Masseria) and Amy Brandwein (Centrolina) compete in an Iron Chef-style competition judged by José Andrés, Carla Hall, and more. Tickets ($250 for general admission) are available online.
Cost of food: American University hosts a discussion on Thursday from 10:30 to noon about the true cost of food when all of the social, health, and environmental costs are taken into account. Panelists include Roni Neff from the Center for a Livable Future, Barbara Ekwall from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and Jenn Yates from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Elevation Burger provides lunch and Honest Tea samples their beverages. Tickets ($25) are available online.
Truckgiving: Food truck operators turn canned goods into delicious meals on Thursday from 5 to 10 at Noma’s outdoor beer garden, Wunder Garten. The event’s proceeds go to Food & Friends, an organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals to those with life-challenging illnesses. People are also encouraged to drop off canned food at several listed locations this week, and can receive a $10 Zipcar credit. There is no charge for admission.
Whiskey festival: Washingtonian hosts our annual On the Rocks spirits festival on Thursday at Shaw’s Long View Gallery from 7 to 10. Sample the best whiskey, vodka, gin, tequila, bourbon, and Scotch. Master mixologists will concoct speciality cocktails with the liquors. Tickets ($65) are available online.
Piepalooza: Pastry Chef Tiffany MacIsaac of Shaw’s upcoming Buttercream Bakeshop pops up at Union Market starting Friday, and will continue over a series of nonconsecutive days. Drop by for a slice of cake or pie and cup of mulled cider, or pre-order sweets for Thanksgiving week (available for pickup Wednesday, November 24 and Thursday, November 25). Pre-order online, prices vary.
Farmers dinner: Harth Restaurant in the Hilton McLean hosts a farm-to-table supper on Friday at 7. Hear stories from the teams at Autumn Olive, Richardson Farms, and Chapel’s Country Creamery. Begin the evening with a cocktail reception before transitioning to the five-course meal. Learn how you can become more involved in the local foods movement. Tickets ($75) are available online.
Foodie festivus: Downtown Silver Spring celebrates the holidays a little differently by lighting a 30-foot, food-centric art installation on Saturday at 6 made out of takeout containers, “u-tinsel,” and spatula snowflakes. Tommy McFly of 94.7 kicks off the celebration along with drink specials and food tastings from local vendor. Guests are encouraged to bring canned food to donate to Manna Food Center. There is no charge for admission.
Pig roast: Pig roast season isn’t over at Black Jack
, which hosts a fall feast on Saturday from 2 to 5. Sip on all-you-can-drink seasonal beer from Caboose Brewery along with house-made cider cocktails, wood-grilled oysters, maple-glazed ribs, and BLT sliders. Tickets ($55) are available online.
Local beers and a hog: Wicked Bloom DC Social Club teams up with Union Craft Brewing on Saturday for a party starring a whole smoked hog from sister venture DCity Smokehouse. Guests can try six different beers with their pork, plus sides such as spicy collards and potato salad. Tickets ($45.30) are available online, and include seven beer tokens and the barbecue.
The Emporiyum: One of the hottest food festivals of the year, the Emporiyum, comes to Union Market’s Dock 5 event space on Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 4. A local and national lineup of vendors and chefs attend to sell ready-eat dishes and gift-able treats, including Fatty Sundays, Taco Bamba, Callie’s Biscuits, and many more. Tickets, which range from $15 to $40 for VIP, are available online. The event typically sells out, so grab them soon.
