MetroCooking DC

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DC is the city of events. Seriously, we have events on events on events. It’s a lot of fun, but it can also be exhausting and hard to keep up. But, there are a few events that I always keep my eye out for every year. One of them is MetroCooking DC.

Talbots Sweater c/o
J.Crew Factory Skirt
Old Navy Boots (old, Similar, Similar)
Coach Bag (Similar, Similar)

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Talbots Sweater c/o
J.Crew Factory Skirt
Old Navy Boots (old, Similar, Similar)
Coach Bag (Similar, Similar)

MetroCooking DC

MetroCooking DC is is hard to describe, but at the same time, incredibly easy. Basically, it’s a food event for foodies of all kind. If you like food, you’ll love this event. There are a lot of parts to this event, so I’ll break it down for you.

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The Exhibit Hall

The Exhibit Hall is the largest part of MetroCooking DC. For the exhibit hall, they bring in bakeries, tea shops, snack makers, cookware sellers, and so many more vendors. Basically, any vendor who is related to food in some form can apply for a space in the hall. They then get a booth where they can set up to interact with attendees, let their products be sampled, and sell their products to visitors.

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You could fill up on all of the delicious samples they give out. I also love it because it gives me the chance to see products I may not normally come across in the grocery store or I wouldn’t have tried otherwise. I’ve become so obsessed with some foods just because I’ve sampled it during MetroCooking DC (aka Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream).

BBQ Bash, The Grand Tasting Pavilion, and the Spirits Garden

BBQ Bash

If you could fill up in the Exhibit Hall, you can absolutely stuff yourself silly at these two events. Thank god they happen on different days. The BBQ Bash brings in all of the BBQ restaurants from around the DMV area and allows you to sample their best dishes. You then get to vote on your favorite dish of that day.

The Grand Tasting Pavilion

The Grand Tasting Pavilion follows the same format, except, it has restaurants from all genres from all over the DMV area. I love the BBQ day, but the Grand Tasting Pavilion has my heart. I went to this event with a completely empty stomach and walked out almost waddling I was so full. It’s amazing getting to sample restaurants I would have never tried out otherwise, plus some of the restaurants give out free appetizer cards.

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The Beer, Wine, and Spirits Garden

Since I don’t drink, this part is a little less of my jam, but since this was the first year I was there with someone else, it was great getting to walk around there. You (obviously) get to sample from various vendors, many of whom were local!  I also loved getting to look at all of the amazing bottle designs (is that weird?).

Chefs and Celebrity Talks and Demonstrations

What’s a cooking event without guest stars?! I go back and forth with whether or not I actually go to these. It really depends for me on who the guests are. But in the past I’ve gotten to see Christina Tosi speak and this year I got to see Bethenny Frankel. Honestly, if you were ever turned off by her since she’s on The Real Housewives, you need to hear her speak at an event and read her bio. The woman is amazing and her advice is so straightforward and GOOD.

Pop Up Cooking School, Workshops, and VIP Events

Of course you can learn how to cook at a cooking show! You could take an Italian Cooking Class or Chocolate Truffles from Sur La Table. Or want to brush up on your food photography skills? They had a workshop for those too! You could have also learned how to pair your chocolate and port. You can also have the chance to meet your favorite celebrities at the event and chill with them in the VIP section.

I think you can probably see why this is one of my favorite events of the year. I don’t have the dates for 2019, but it’ll probably be around the first few weeks of December. Make sure to mark your calendar so you can go!

Photos by Kimberly Graydon