What's Happening In Washington, DC: November 30, 2015

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Not everyone heads to shopping malls to do their holiday shopping and partying, so we've compiled some alternatives we think our foodie folks will enjoy. This week, and into next, you can meet and dine with the two writers who put road food on the map, Jane and Michael Stern, get some pointers on appetizer recipes, catch a culinary demo, and shop at cool museums for just the right gift.

Dine with Jane and Michael Stern for an Evening of Roadfood
Thursday, December 3, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., renowned road food authors Jane and Michael Stern are hosting an evening of fabulous food and fun including stories from the road, recipes, and where to find iconic dishes from the best regional restaurants coast-to-coast. Dinner will be held at St.
Francis Hall
and the menu includes regional specialties like Maine seafood chowder, barbecue shrimp, and Nashville hot chicken. Tickets are $95.94 per person and include unlimited beer and wine and a copy of Jane and Michael Stern's latest book Roadfood: The Coast to Coast Guide to 900 of the Best Barbecue Joints, Lobster Shacks, Ice Cream Parlors, Highway Diners, and Much, Much More.

Food Fridays
Each Friday during December before Christmas (4, 11, 18), at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., you can attend free cooking demonstrations and programs from local and national chefs, cookbook authors, dieticians, and other food personalities. These fun and educational demos highlight topics like Hanukkah dishes to serve, New Year 's Eve dinner menus in the South, how to cook and eat healthy, and much more. View the full schedule.

Holiday Appetizers with Chef Dorrie Argentine
If hosting holiday parties gives you the jitters, consider taking a fun and informative cooking class with chef Dorrie Argentine at Via Umbria, Wednesday, December 2 from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $90.67 per person and this is a relaxed, easier way to learn how to prepare, cook, and serve food your guests will adore.

Smithsonian Food History at the National Museum of American History
Foodies are discovering a bounty of food and drink events year round at the Smithsonian's newly renovated food history exhibits and programs at the National Museum of American History. December and January offer a range of entertaining and interactive activities, including Food Fridays and the Holiday Festival.

Smithsonian Holiday Festival
Few winter events or festivals offer guests the chance to sample great food, indulge in chocolate treats, or hang out with the real C3PO, except for the Smithsonian Holiday Festival at the National Museum of American History. It's being held Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. It's free to attend and also includes book signings, musical shows, trunk shows, gift shops specials, and plenty of activities for the kids. Participating museums include: National Museum of American History, National Museum of Air and Space, National Museum of Natural History, Freer Gallery of Art and Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Museum of African American Art, National Postal Museum, and The Smithsonian Castle.

Summer Whitford is the D.C. Editor and a food, drink and travel writer at The Daily Meal. In addition to lifestyle topics, Summer also writes about culture and the arts at Woman Around Town. You can follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva and on Instagram at thefoodandwinediva.