What's Happening In Washington, DC: February 15, 2016
It's time to get back to the business of going to fun parties, wine dinners, cooking classes, and more. This week, we're highlighting all sorts of culinary learning experiences across the DMV
Smithsonian Food History and American History After Hours
Washingtonians are lucky to have some of the world's best museums and at the Smithsonian, food and drink take center stage in a range of interactive, engaging, and informative programs, games, and activities for kids and adults. Here are some of our favorites.
Ask A Farmer
There is a revolution occurring in farming in America and it's driven by consumers' demand to know who grows their food and where it comes from. Come learn about the innovations and changes first hand at Ask a Farmer at the museum and video chat with farmers in their homes and fields across the country. Ask a Farmer is a free event and is held biweekly on Fridays at 2:00 pm on the Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza. Join them on February 19, at 2:00 p.m. and you can chat with Dr. Elizabeth Kohtz, who treats cows at dairy farms in Idaho and operates a milk quality lab in southern Idaho.
Cooking Korean in America
This American History After Hours program is your window into the expanding world of Korean food in American. From kimchi to bul gogi Americans just can't get enough of this ancient cuisine, and on Thursday, March 10 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in the Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza at the American History Museum you can join a conversation with Deuki Hong and Matt Rodbard, authors of the soon-to-be-released, "Koreatown: A Cook Book," as they discuss the history of Korean cooking in the U.S. and its impact on American cuisine. Danielle Chang, author of "Lucky Rice: Stories and Recipes from Night Markets, Feasts, and Family Tables," will demonstrate some of her favorite recipes. The evening features Korean-American inspired food and snacks as well as book signings. Tickets are $40 per person and learn more about tickets, etc. here.
Cooking Up History: Lincoln in the Kitchen
Fans of Abraham Lincoln will get a kick out of learning what Abraham Lincoln ate when they attend this historic cooking demonstration on Saturday, February 20 at 2:00 p.m. Held in the Demonstration Kitchen and conducted by Sur La Table Chef Angie Lee, she will tell guests about Lincoln's table with a few dishes from across his childhood on a farm in frontier-era Illinois and his political life from Springfield to the White House. As Chef Angie cooks up some classic mid-19th century fare, you'll consider the complex relationship Lincoln had to food (which he often cooked himself), and how the foods he ate during his presidency reflected his thoughts on our national cuisine in the Civil War era.
Cooking Up History: African-American Culinary Heritage and Museum Day Live!
It may not take place during Black History Month, but this food demonstration and book signing is sure to be popular. It's part of the America Participates Festival and will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza. It's the March Cooking Up History offering that features guest chefs Alice Randall and her daughter Caroline Randall Williams and they are co-authors of the book "Soul Food Love." During their session, they will demonstrate a recipe and discuss the history and traditions passed down over four generations of women in their family. "Soul Food Love" will be available for purchase in the museum and a book signing will follow.
Hot chocolate, tea, or whiskey
Make learning about chocolate, tea, and whiskey fun by playing the Smithsonian's free online game called Have a Cup. You can learn the history behind each of these drinks in colonial America, find out how they were made, and the ingredients used.
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.