Taste of the Nation D.C

Last Thursday POM Wonderful hosted a contest for VIP tickets to D.C’s Taste of the Nation! Mission of the event from the website:

“Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has brought together the most creative culinary minds across the nation. Each spring and summer, pioneers of modern American cuisine, national celebrity chefs and mixologists including David Burke, Stephan Pyles, mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, Bravo’s Top Chef Tom Collichio, Food Network stars Tyler Florence and Emeril Lagasse and thousands more like them donate their time, talent and passion at nearly 40 events across the United States and Canada with one goal in mind: to raise critical funds needed to help end childhood hunger. 100% of supports Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger.”

I was more than overjoyed when I was selected as a winner to attend! I hopped on the D.C metro for the FIRST time!

I met up with Quinn ( another winner of the contest and a lovely blogger:) )

We started off the evening at the Volt sponsored  VIP reception

( Excuse the flash)

Eats from the VIP:

Beet Macaroon with Foie Gras Mousse

I can’t say I have ever tasted something like this, it was flakey and sweet!

Volt chefs hard at work!

and I enjoyed the view from above, it was nice to see everything!

The event was at the National Museum Building, which by the end of the evening I was in love with!

We made our way down to the floor for some more eats- I had not eaten anything since lunch at 1:00 and I was good to go ( or so I thought).

Kellari Tavern on camera!

Spinach Pie and Scallop I can’t get over how light and HEALTHY this was!

Most interesting food item of the night award goes to:Firefly

Baby Octopus!

I made a dash for some Lebanese food!

Kababji had some grape leaves stuff with rice!

Occidental–Lobster roll, a definite first for me!

Enjoying a Anchovy Tartlet from Proof

Scallop

Indian food!!! Bombay Club– Shrimp with Mango Chutney I grabbed a menu on the way out, I will be stopping there again for sure!

Dessert had to be my FAVORITE part!

PS 7’S– Ice cream on a stick HOLY YUM! I need like 5 more of these!

The absolute star of the evening, Georgetown Cupcake

I honestly felt like I had died and gone to heaven! Each bite was light and flavorful.

I dove into the Salted Caramel and I loved every single bite!

We of course had to stop by and drink some POM Wonderful, who made this amazing evening possible!

POM Mocktail- Was so light and refreshing!

I can’t even describe how amazing this evening was, it was a chance for me to taste an assortment of delights that I normally would not!

I am also going to Taste of Catonsville next Monday! And I will be more prepared to tickle my taste buds!

Thanks to POM Wonderful and Quinn for her company/ metro directing skills!