A Night of Celebration at EdibleDC's Eat/Drink Local

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by AJ Dronkers, Associate Publisher & Digital Editor PhotoBooth

Holding large events is a task that isn't for the faint of heart -- especially when you rely on a really small team. But after the success of our Drinks Invitational last year at the Long View Gallery in Shaw, we couldn't resist doing it again. Team EdibleDC seems to have a knack for picking dates that fall on weather events. Last year's Drinks Invitational was held on the coldest day of the year in 2015, and for this year on Monday, May 2, we had rain, thunder and hail released from the sky.

We love kicking things off with Champange and Celebrity Cruise had us covered -- upon entry guests got a full glass to toast the evening. (Photo by Raisa Aziz)

Guests sampled their way through 30+ local food and drink artisans at the redesigned Long View Gallery in Shaw.

That didn't stop five hundred people from turning out for EdibleDC Eat/Drink Local on May 2, where we celebrated all things local from spirits, shrubs, rooftop gardens, to goat tacos. It was a smash hit, and many thanks to our sponsors, our vendors and to The Columbia Room and La Colombe for helping host the VIPs. Here's a quick recap of the event:

Our favorite vegan tacos are the mushroom ones from Chaia Tacos in Georgetown! (Photo by January Jai)

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Chef Ed Scapone, from DBGB DC, plating his Seven Hills Farm beef with ramps on crostini.

Local distiller, Don Ciccio & Figli, scoops his Amaro Punch Me made with grapefuit and rosemary. (Photo by January Jai)

Bethesda based, Denizens Brewing Co, had copious amounts of beer and recently announced their first cans are now available exclusively at Glen's Garden Market in Shaw & Dupont. (Photo by Albert Ting)

Newly launched sustainable chocolate maker, Harper Macaw, partnered with Chef Matthew Ramsey aka Pornburger to treat guests to a delicious mole dish. (Photo by Raisa Aziz)

In case guests needed a break from all the booze, Honest Tea, had a plethora of teas and their signature fizz flavors available throughout the Long View Gallery. (Styling by Heirloom Catering & Photo by Albert Ting)

Newly opened Ivy City Smokehouse was on hand serving multiple spreads. (Compost friendly plates provided by VerTerra & Photo by January Jai)

Manassas, VA based KO Distilling wasn't just pouring but educating guests on the unique flavors that make up their navy strength gin. (Photo by Albert Ting)

The amazing Long View Gallery was transformed by our event partners -- Heirloom Catering, Amaryllis hanging garden, and Frost Lighting. (Photo by Albert Tin)

Newly launched vegan flatbread company, Z&Z, can be found at area farmers markets and hopefully our next event. (Photo by Albert Ting)

H St favorite, Sally's Middle Name, made these delicious BLTs with Pickled Green Tomatoes from Earth N Eats Farm, organic bacon cured at Sally's for a month, spicy house-made mayonnaise and pullman loaf. (Photo by Raisa Aziz)

Lyon Distilling & True Syrups partnered up to serve cocktails that were refreshing and uber local. Recipe coming out soon. (Photo by January Jai)

We're obsessed with the flavor of Mountain Valley Spring Water which is loaded with natural minerals and has a slightly high pH level. (Photo by Albert Ting)

New Belgium Brewing Heavy Melon is the perfect Spring/Summer beer -- with hints of lime and watermelon. (Model not included with purchase & Photo by Heavy Melon)

No event is complete without moonshine -- including Richmond based Belle Isle Moonshine. (Photo by January Jai)

One Eight Distilling paired up with Element Shurb to serve two delicious cocktails. Need a break no problem just mix Element Shrub with soda water for a refreshing spritzer. (Photo by Albert Ting)

Greenhill Vineyards took a break from their Middleburg tasting room to sample their wines. (Photo by January Jai)

Chef Colin King and his team from Oyamel were pressing fresh masa tacos on-site and serving delicious goat tacos sourced from Pipe Dreams Farm. (Photo by Albert Ting)

Gina Cherservair from Buffalo & Bergen was slinging delicious cocktails using Prairie Organic Vodka. (Photo by Albert Ting)

Woodberry Kitchen & Artifact Coffee came down from Baltimore serving a variety of local things including these gorgeous Steadfast Farms black bean hummus with raw vegetable chips and spelt crackers. (Photo by January Jai)

Local DC Embitterment paired up with Tito's Vodka. (Photo by January Jai)

Relay Foods, your healthy online grocer, was making seasonal strawberry and arugula salad. (Photo by Albert Ting)

Richmond based, Reservoir Distillery, treated guests to straight pours and their old-fashioned. (Photo by Albert Ting)

"Brose" or the Early Mountain Rose was a hit at EdibleDC Eat/Drink Local. (Photo by January Jai)

Guests huddled around Valliant Oysters proving you just can't have one. (Photo by Albert Ting)

Troegs Brewing sampled their Perpetual IPA & Sunshine Pils next to the Gibson team. (Photo January Jai)

VIP guests has exclusive access to the Celebrity Cruise patio at the Columbia Room, Derek Brown's newly opened bar in Blagden Alley. (Photo by January Jai)

The food and drinks didn't stop at the Celebrity Cruise VIP patio -- Heirloom Catering wow'd guests with Celebrity inspired food pairings like this grass-fed hnager steak, with market herb chimichurri aioli and caramelized sweet onions. (Photo by January Jai)

These white sesame shrimp with daikon carrot slaw on a crisp wonton were paired with locally inspired punches at the Columbia Room patio. (Photo by January Jai)

The Celebrity Cruise VIP experience at the Columbia Room included two locally inspired punches: Gin Punch a la Terrington with GreenHat Gin and Linstead Punch with Catoctin Creek Rye whiskey. (Photo by Albert Ting)

Scenes from a successful VIP punch patio thanks to the Columbia Room, Celebrity Cruise, Heirloom Catering, DC Distillers (GreenHat Gin), and Catoctin Creek. (Photo by Raisa Aziz)

After the show is the after-party at La Colombe Coffee -- VIP guests grab treats from Rare Sweets. (Photo by Raisa Aziz)

Oh and of course all the coffee you can ask for -- guests also indulged in affogatos combining Trickling Springs Creamery ice cream with La Colombe espresso. (Photo by Raisa Aziz)

Closing out a memorable evening with our VIP jute gift bags chock-full of goodies from our local partners! (Photo by Albert Ting)

 

Interested in our next event? For more information about being an event sponsor, vendor or a guest at EdibleDC's future events, email us at info@edibledc.com. Want to see your photos from the FreshFarm photo booth provided by Hot Pink Photobooth, click here.