courtesy of The Tiny Kitchen

You thought I was kidding about the butter until you saw this picture…

Things have been a little crazy this fall, and I’ve been missing out on my usual weeknight and weekend HEAVY dosage of the Food Network. Alas, this weekend, I am excited to get some face time with my favorite stars, in addition to some DC super-chefs.

This Saturday and Sunday (November 7-8), the 2009 Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show is coming to the downtown convention center. For a $20 admission ticket, you can visit the showroom floor, a cooking demonstration or a knife skills class.

The show room floor will feature over 200 caterers, personal chefs, appliance manufacturers and party planners, but one of the true benefits of your General Admission ticket is access to the Tasting and Entertaining Workshops. Hosted by industry experts from around the nation, the workshops include demonstrations on skills that may come in very handy for a do-it-yourself kind of holiday season. On Saturday, take the noon class on flower decor or stop by the knife skills class at 6:00 p.m. On Sunday, swing by the “Spice up your Holiday” class at noon and the tea tasting at 3:00 p.m.

courtesy of The Tiny Kitchen

However, the best perk that comes with your general admission ticket is access to the Bloom Cooking Stage, featuring live demonstrations from more than a dozen of DC’s hottest chefs. On Saturday, you can watch Chef Barton Seaver of Blue Ridge (2:00 p.m.), Chef Mike Isabella of Zaytinya (3:00 p.m.), or Chef Jamie Leeds of CommonWealth (5:00 p.m.). Sunday stuns with Chef Robert Wiedmaier of Brasserie Beck (11:00 a.m.), Chef Bryan Voltaggio of VOLT (12:00 noon) and Chef David Deshaies of Michael Richard Citronelle (1:00 p.m.). Check out the half a dozen other incredible chefs who I did not mention.

For slightly more, you can rub elbows with 2,500 other attendees to see a celebrity presentation by Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, Tyler Florence, Giada de Laurentis, the Neely’s. The cost to attend one of these programs ranges from $45-$75 per reserved seat per session – but includes a general admission ticket. We all have our things. You’ll have to decide for yourself if the price is right to get your book signed by Giada.

courtesy of The Tiny Kitchen

October is over, and sadly, October-fests had to go with it. But you can still get your beer and wine tasting on at the Beer, Wine & Spirits tasting area. Over 150 boutique wines, 50 micro brews and a variety spirits will be served to you in the signature souvenir glass.  Beer, Wine & Spirits Workshops are scheduled throughout the weekend with the beverage directors of high class establishments such as Brasserie Beck, Cafe Atlantico and CommonWealth Gastropub. The cost to attend this portion of the show is $18.50 per day in addition to the general admission ticket. Tasting hours are from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

So, now you know that I, too, will be there this weekend (I’m sure you are very excited to hear that I will be attending after the celebrity listing I just went through), covering as much ground as possible, but to be honest, I’ll probably be stuck somewhere near the free food. Let’s just hope there’s no silent auction item where you get butter for a year… I’d hate to win that.

The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show is open this Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and this Sunday, November 8, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It’s located in Hall B on the lower level of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. It’s easily accessible by metro at the Mt. Vernon Place / Convention Center stop. Tickets can be purchased on site or in advance.

Cathy

Cathy was fortunate to spend a year in Paris – traveling to all surrounding countries and touring all that is worthy. Upon realizing that there is no place like home (she does hail from Kansas City – but did not click her heels to get back – thank you, Air France), she returned to America where she set out to explore every last inch of our massive country. From her base in the nation’s capital, she has worked in marketing and event planning for the past 4 years. Mail any and all DC related tips to Cathy (at) WeLoveDC (dot) com.