The 2014 Metro Cooking Show is right around the corner, one of several massive foodie events in the District within a week of each other. Here’s a closer look at what to expect from MetroCooking DC, held on November 8th and 9th at the Washington Convention Center.
A preview was held at Toro Toro, in conjunction with chef Richard Sandoval, who will be hosting a cooking demo at the James Beard Cooking Stage on Saturday. He’s just one of a dozen chefs over the two days who will be hosting demos on the big-name stage, with plenty of notable locals making an appearance. In order to make the cut at the James Beard Cooking Stage, you must have been a James Beard Foundation winner, nominee, or a guest chef at the James Beard House. No ifs, ands or buts about it.
The two star attractions of MetroCooking DC are Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri. Fieri will be in the Celebrity Theater and also hosting meet and greets and book signings on Saturday, and Flay will be doing the same on Sunday.
There’s a range of other book signings as well, from Kevin Martell, Kim Nelson, Todd English, Bonnie Benwick, Glenn Rolnick, Monica Bhide, Cathal Armstrong and Paula Shoyer, and many of those authors will also be hosting a tasting and/or entertaining workshop on Sunday
Sunday is also when you’ll find the Grand Tasting Pavilion, held in association with the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), with more than 40 restaurants participating. Saturday will instead offer eight separate, and free, cooking and skill classes from L’Academie de Cuisine, ranging from knife skills, to sauces 101, cake decorating, and more.
Both days will also feature a beer, wine and spirits pavilion.
As opposed to many other food events, MetroCooking DC isn’t just about sampling or watching, it’s also about buying things to try or use in the home kitchen as well, and finding new ideas and inspiration. There will be more than 300 specialty food exhibitors at the event showcasing their wares.
General admission tickets cost $20 in advance for adults, and $24.50 at the door. There are also many ticket packages offering access to the celebrity theater performances, the Grand Tasting Pavilion, the VIP meet and greets, and other a la carte offerings. Buy your tickets online here.
