Whether you enjoy eating or cooking, fans of the culinary arts will want to be at the 5th Annual Smithsonian Food History Weekend, November 7–9, 2019, in Washington, DC. The weekend kicks off with the Smithsonian Food History Gala. This is a black-tie event that features presentation of the Julia Child Award, food critic Andres Zimmern as master of ceremonies, several guest speakers and a three-course menu created by the Julia Child Award recipient. This event will be an evening to remember and a great way to start this special weekend.
Friday and Saturday will be filled with two days of live demonstrations, hands-on learning, talks and stories of women who are empowering communities through food. It will feature talented local chefs, organizations, experts on food history and local entrepreneurs. Programs include activities for people of all ages. It will include a kids’ table and exploration of “food in a pocket” across many cultures. Experts will lead these activities in their regional food culture. Several rarely seen objects will also be on display.
Several special presentations are included in the programming. “Eritrean Food En Route” will explore a local food delivery service that supports refugees and upcoming migrant chefs. “In the Kitchen with Chef Jacques Pepin” will present demonstrations in his spirited and masterful style with creations that will delight everyone.
Other presentations throughout the weekend will feature experts in various cuisines, including Persian cuisine, eating healthy for kids, selections from the Baltimore Farmer’s Market, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Salvadorian cuisines. There is something for every taste and age group. It is an excellent opportunity to try something new and taste world cuisines.
The weekend will also feature Deep-Dish Dialogues, which presents live interviews and conversations with people who are innovating world change through the culinary arts. One of the discussions is a panel with past recipients of the Julia Child Award. Another will feature ways to empower communities through food. This discussion will go into how culinary knowledge and skills can be used to help refugees and migrant women. The third discussion on Saturday will feature the topic of food activism in American history. It will provide a fascinating look into how African American women have sustained communities through innovative production and food distribution systems.
Area Attractions
As you can see, a lot is going on at the Smithsonian Food History weekend, but there are also many other reasons to visit the area. It is located near the National Mall right in the heart of Washington, DC. Of course, you could visit the other buildings in the Smithsonian complex, such as the Natural History Museum or the Arts and Industries Building. You could also visit the White House, Lincoln Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial at the National Mall while you are there.
Washington Accommodations
Washington, DC. is a popular area for tourism, and there are many excellent hotels near the National Mall. Popular accommodations include the Hilton and the Hotel Harrington. Our recommendation is the Grand Hyatt Washington. It has an elegant interior, spacious rooms that are modern and comfortable, and it is close to the most popular sites near the National Mall.
