The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center is now in progress. DC area food lovers – it’s not too late. The show continues through tomorrow, November 9.
Today’s program featured an appearance by The Food Network‘s boisterous star Guy Fieri. His quick-fire repartee kept the audience entertained, and when he was joined on-stage by WJLA-TV news anchor Leon Harris, the amusement quotient was kicked up even more. These two really played well together.
Guy Fieri
I’ve always wondered if Fieri is forced to pretend he likes the food on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.” When an audience member asks, he confesses that there are times he has left a restaurant he doesn’t like, or doesn’t air the segment. When asked what DC restaurant he likes best, Fieri won’t say. It’s DC, and he’s trying to be politically correct, he says.
On Sunday, popular Food Network chef and restaurateur Bobby Flay will appear in the Celebrity Theater, followed by a book signing.
The James Beard Cooking Stage features demonstrations by guest chefs including Ian Boden (The Shack), Marjorie Meek-Bradley (Ripple and Roofers Union), and Cathal Armstrong (Restaurant Eve). Chef Boden sings the praises of adding acid to food to really kick-up the flavor. Chef Armstrong talks turkey. His advice- don’t add pepper. It masks the flavor of the bird. On hand tomorrow will be Tim Ma (Maple Ave Restaurant and Water and Wall), Caitlin Dysart (2941) and more.
One of the highlights are the hundreds of vendors, many representing unique, independently-owned businesses. There are baked goods from companies like Daisy Cakes (seen on “Shark Tank”) and Naughty Girls Donut Shop. Attendees can sample sauces, spices, salsas, and dips from companies like Capital City Mumbo Sauce and Todd’s Dirt Seasonings. And one of my personal favorites- tahini from Soom Foods.
Capital City Mumbo Sauce
Daisy Cakes
Naughty Girls Donut Shop
The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show is a fun and flavorful DC event. Catch it if you can. Tickets are available online or onsite at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
