Events DC and Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Collaborate To Spotlight Washington, DC As A Culinary Capital At South By Southwest

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for DC and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) will collaborate to highlight the rising restaurant scene and top chefs in our “Culinary Capital“ at South by Southwest (SXSW) through the WeDC House (340 East 2nd Street, Austin, TX) programming.  With recent accoloades including Bon Appétit naming Washington, DC “Restaurant City of the Year” (2016), this partnership at SXSW further highlights and reinforces the District as a premier and diverse destination for global flavors.

“This was a big year for the hospitality industry in Washington, DC and Events DC is delighted to host culinary-inspired events with RAMW at the WeDC House as part of DC’s SXSW programming. Through WeDC efforts, we are also proud to highlight our partnership with RAMW that showcases an innovative and creative industry that is driving energy, revenue and global recognition across our region,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, President and CEO of Events DC. “With a great deal of excitement over the District’s vibrant restaurant scene it remains a shared goal of ours to keep that buzz going as restaurants are a key part of what makes our city a world-class destination.”

Renowned, DC-based chefs Tim Ma of Kyirisan, Dimitri Moshovitis, Chef and Co-Founder of Cava Group, Inc. Including Cava Grill, Cava Mezze, and Cava Foods, and Michael Schlow Chef/Owner of restaurants including Alta Strada City Vista and Casolare will host culinary activations within the WeDC House in Austin.  Cava Group CEO Brett Schulman will join Chefs Ma and Schlow on a speaker panel, “From Political Capital to Culinary Powerhouse” focusing on how the District has fostered a creative economy of food entrepreneurs and the evolution of the DC dining scene – from steakhouses and expense accounts to a more dynamic and diverse restaurant industry.  Laura Hayes, food editor of Washington City Paper will be the moderator for this panel, scheduled to take place at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 12.

“We are thrilled to participate at SXSW and bring greater awareness to the diversity of the Washington DC economy.  Cava is part of a burgeoning start-up and creative community that is producing innovation through culinary technology.  The local entrepreneur eco-system is stronger than ever and underpinned by a collaborative ethos,” explained Schulman.

"As the District is showcasing all that makes DC so great, it is an excellent and important addition this year to have chefs and restaurateurs on board to share their culinary talent and business experiences operating award-winning restaurants in the DC metropolitan region. Restaurants are an intersection of the creative economy, innovative technology, culture, entertainment, and so much more. The nation took notice of DC's culinary scene in a big way this year and we look forward to keeping that story front of mind at SXSW,” said Kathy E. Hollinger, President and CEO of RAMW.

Additionally, Events DC and RAMW will host a private dinner in Austin at the WeDC House that will create a uniqiue dining experience – while raising a glass to the DC region’s restuarants. This intimate dinner will highlight a taste of what the incredible restaurants in the Washington, DC region have to offer at SXSW.  Each course will be presented by a different top chef, featuring: Michael Schlow of Alta Strada, Casolare, Conosci, The Riggsby, and TICO, Dimitri Moshovitis of Cava Group (Cava Grill, Cava Mezze, Cava Foods) and a RAMMYS Restaurateur of the Year Finalist, Tim Ma of Kyirisan and Chase the Submarine and a Michelin Rated Bib Gourmand, and Alex Levin, Executive Pastry Chef of Alta Strada, Casolare, Conosci, The Riggsby, and TICO and RAMMYS Pastry Chef of the Year.

To culminate WeDC House programming, DC top chefs will curate DC-inspired menus during the WeDC Celebration Party on Monday, March 13 at 8:00 p.m. The WeDC Celebration will feature live DC music and food and beverage experiences – while attendees taste first hand how the District has become the nation’s coolest city and why entrepreneurs and artists choose DC as a destination to live, work and play.

The WeDC House at SXSW and the broader WeDC Initiative, serves as a platform to elevate DC and DC businesses at the world's foremost gathering of innovators, artists and technology leaders. The WeDC House provides the city with a unique opportunity to demonstrate why it has earned a track record for being a cultural hub and the premiere spot in the country for tech and social entrepreneurial ventures. The House will be open from March 11 to March 13, 2017.

For more information on the culinary programming and overall WeDC House activation, visit www.wedchouse.com.

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About Events DC

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, deliver premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital.  Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that generates over $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium.  Events DC also built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. The most recent addition is Gateway DC, an innovative and versatile space featuring a covered and open-air pavilion in the center of a 1-acre park, conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com.   

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW)

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is the regional trade association representing restaurants and the foodservice industry in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Established in 1920, RAMW is an advocate, resource and community for its members. The Association works to promote and sustain the growth and development of the industry while providing its members legislative and regulatory representation, marketing and small business support, programming and events. RAMW strives to serve its members with professionalism and integrity, and provide them the training, education and support they need to grow a successful business.