T'was smooth sailing on day two of the ninth annual
Metro Cooking DC, thanks in large part to new management (
E.J. Krause & Associates, Inc.) Want proof? Look no further than the
RAMW Grand Tasting Pavilion, which was an absolute breeze (and joy) to navigate... a major improvement upon last year's edition. Even the
food was better (read our review
here.) However, man doesn't live on tastings alone (even
50 of 'em!) There were celebrities (
Bobby Flay, perhaps you've heard of him) and a slew of book signings, cooking demos and vendors...
more than enough to keep even the choosiest foodie happy.
Flay got things started in grand fashion, captivating a capacity crowd at the Celebrity Theater for a full hour in the morning (and again, later in the afternoon.) Between Flay and Saturday's headliner (
Guy Fieri) you'd be hard pressed to find a more entertaining and polished duo in the cooking industry. The audience literally
gobbled Flay up,
peppering the
Iron Chef with questions and advice: Flay even promised to promote using
all of his ingredients, at the behest of one pushy attendee. Keep in mind,
I'm the one who said pushy (trust me, she was.) Flay couldn't have been nicer. Case in point: Flay admitted that his wife wants his buddy (and fellow Iron Chef)
Michael Symon to cook her final meal (ouch.) To be fair, she wants Bobby to be there (to help eat it.) What a sport!
Todd English (
MXDC) was on hand as well, signing copies of his new book
Cooking In Everyday English: The ABCs of Great Flavor at Home. I
really wanted to see him; but his appearance coincided with the Grand Tasting and... Do I need to explain myself? I was
this close to falling in love with
Medium Rare's
Steak and Frites Sandwich; or was it the
Jerked Pork Belly with Tomato Slaw & Lime Vinaigrette from
Nage Bistro? Who knows? Suffice it to say, I was busy stuffing my face; so I can only hope Mr. English returns next year (preferably before or after the Grand Tasting.)
I'd be remiss if I didn't sing the praises of a few vendors that caught my eye yesterday & Saturday.
Hobby Hill Farm took top honors for Best Bite
in Show, courtesy of their insanely good
Sweet & Heat Tomato Jam.
SuperSeedz wowed me with eight innovative flavors of pumpkin seeds; while the
Walker Food Group put a smile on my face with a playful spin on popcorn (remember Life Savers' classic
5 Flavors?) Speaking of innovative... You simply
have to try
KIND's line of savory protein bars (may I recommend
Roasted Jalapeño and
Thai Sweet Chili?) Did I mention each bar
packs 10 grams of protein to boot? I could go on and on; but I'll let my camera do the rest of the talking. See you next year (I can hardly wait!)
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| General Manager Jess Woods of Room 11 |
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| George's Mixes |
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| Indoor Smokeless Stove Top Grill |
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| Rosca Ajos Garlic Grater |
