DCFBC events

The Italian Store

Everyone is familiar with Chianti, Barolo and Pinot Grigio. We would like to introduce you to wines many Italians drink with their daily meals.  Join our host, Brenan Downey (Downey Selections), in a wine tasting of 5 lesser-known Italian varietals expertly paired by Italian Wine Store Director John Kay.  A sparkling starter will also be offered to each guest.

NaRa-Ya

Upon arrival we will receive a glass of sparkling wine to sip on as we watch a demonstration by a NaRa-Ya chef on how to create a sushi roll. We will then enjoy a sushi roll and two drinks from the Sunset Happy Hour Menu which includes Wine, Beer, Daily Selection of Cocktails, or Highballs.

CHIKO

Chef Scott Drewno is serving up a fabulous family-style dim sum brunch at the Bethesda location of CHIKO. Come join the fun as we enjoy dim sum classics for a good cause! Choice of two beverages per person are included (beer, wine, soda, iced tea).

Mariscos 1133

Join us for a fundraising Tequila and Mezcal class followed by a margarita demonstration at Mariscos 1133. It’s the hottest new Latin American seafood restaurant from acclaimed chefs Alfredo and Jessica Solis, the sibling creators of El Sol and Mezcalero.

Enjoy margaritas, family-style guacamole, queso fundido, and an assortment of tacos while watching beverage director and mixologist, Scott Clime, explain the differences between Mezcal & Tequila and then demonstrate how to make a classic margarita and variations such as Mariscos 1133’s specialty, the “margarita con puré de frutas.”

Boqueria Penn Quarter

This brunch will feature familiar Spanish specialties such as jamon serrano, patatas bravas, and tortilla Espaniola. And did we mention the refreshing, free-flowing sangria? A raffle will round out the festivities.

Stellina Pizzeria

 Our annual Rosé All Day event is back! Please join us for a fun afternoon at Stellina Pizzeria’s new location in Mt. Vernon Square, which was just included in Eater’s 15 Hottest New Restaurants in D.C. (June 2022). Owner and Italian Wine Scholar Antonio Matarazzo will lead us through a tasting of 6 different roses that will be paired with a delicious 3 course family style Italian lunch prepared by Chef and Owner Matteo Venini.

 The Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse 

The contest will pitted eight of the area’s top chefs against one another in a crab cake showdown utilizing Department-verified Maryland blue crab. The winning chef’s restaurant received funds to support a culinary intern in their kitchen.

In addition to this “main event,” students from area culinary schools or programs competed in their own crab cake competition. The winning student was awarded a $500 scholarship.

Guests had the opportunity to sample each of the chef contestants’ crab cakes and cast a vote for the People's Choice award. Guests also enjoyed an oyster bar, New England clam chowder station, and other passed appetizers for which Ivy City Smokehouse is known.

 Ris

A fun Rosé All Day tasting and learning experience about this underappreciated wine style.

We discussed the various methods of making rosé wine and then sample a dozen different rosés from all over the world. Guests tasted several small plates by Chef Ris Lacoste and learned why this wine style was chosen "Best Wine" in this year's Sommelier Smack Down at Cochon 555.

The event was concluded with guests ranking their top three favorites.

 Cotton & Reed Distillery Tour & Tasting

A cocktail event at Cotton & Reed, Washington DC’s first rum distillery. The event included a tour of the distillery, an ingredient tasting, a rum flight and two cocktails.

This specially arranged tour allowed attendees to not only learn about the history of Cotton & Reed and taste their amazing rum, but also see the rum distilling process. DCFBC provided light snacks while guests enjoyed their rum flight and cocktails.

Arroz

 The talented bar team led by Taha Ismael offered guests a primer on how to make the perfect summertime refresher: sangria!

This demonstration will be followed by a coursed, family-style brunch, paired with refreshing white and red sangria.

Alta Strada

Guests were welcomed with cheese and Salumi followed by pizza making demo with Alta Strada's new local Italian food guru.

After the demo, we enjoyed a sit down lunch (Family style) with Roasted Cauliflower, Crispy Meatballs, Charred Greens, pizza and chocolate pistachio bundino for dessert.

Unlimited house wine and Moretti was included.

 Buttercream Bakeshop

 This hands on class will feature Buttercream's buttermilk pie crust recipe which participants will turn in to apple pie as well as a savory quiche.

While the goodies are baking, the chef/owner Tiffany MacIsaac and Lead Decorator/Partner Alex Mudry-Till took questions from the class.

Guests took home home one 5" apple pie and one 5" savory quiche, as well as recipes to make 9" versions of each.