The Local Food Project at Airlie and 7th Street Garden have teamed up for a film and food event to help benefit both groups.  The Local Food Project is an excellent program established by the Airlie Foundation to promote the ideals of sustainable agriculture, something I support wholeheartedly.  And the 7th Street Garden, a fixture in my stomping grounds of Shaw, brings together the ideals of sustainable agriculture, community cohesion and environmental responsibility.  So it seems only natural for the two to team up for a collaborative fund raising event!  The event is a screening of the film The 11th Hour (a movie that is on my “must see list”) and will be held on Tuesday June 24th from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.  Come out and mingle with other supporters of local food programs and enjoy delicious food and wine!  Tickets are $20 and you can reserve your spot by going to the 7th Street Garden’s event page.

This Saturday and Sunday marks the 16th Annual Safeway National Capital Barbecue Challenge.  The event will take place on Pennsylvania Avenue in full view of the Capital building.  Besides the barbecue smackdown, the event also has 3 stages of musical acts (including one of my favorites Jimmie’s Chicken Shack) and cooking demonstrations from local and nationally known chefs (including Virginia Willis).  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for the little ones and can be purchased online.  There will be free samples galore, so bring your appettite! 

Over 13 wineries are participating in the Great Grapes! Wine, Arts and Food Festival starting this evening in Cockeysville, MD.  For the price of admission ($18 for advanced tickets, $22 for on site ticket purchases…and a special rate for designated drivers – but who wants to be the DD at a wine festival?), you are treated to unlimited food and wine samples, cooking demonstrations, local artist displays, performances and a souvenior wine glass.  This is billed as the only Baltimore area wine festival and is in its sixth year.

Food Matters, a unique dining experience in Alexandria, is hosting its second annual rosé tasting on Sunday.  The event includes a tasting of four roses, along with food, and is only $15 per person.  I have yet to dine at Food Matters but have it on good authority (and by authority I mean people whose palettes I completely trust) that the food is fantastic and the premise (using local, in season ingredients highlighted by quality ingredients and the amazing culinary talents of its staff headed by Tom Przystawik) is inspired. 

For more information about local food events in the DC metro area, head over to The List, Are You On It.  Have a good weekend and don’t worry, I think Shaw Girl’s food funk is out the door!