Susanne Jutzeler Sujufoto for Pexels
Alexandria’s “Cherry Challenge” culinary contest started Feb. 1 and continues throughout the month.
Dozens of restaurants across the city will compete with innovative cherry-themed dishes in an effort to court votes from diners.
“This unique event helps generate buzz for Alexandria restaurants, encourages chefs to get creative, and boosts customer traffic,” said Kristen Eastlick, GW Birthday Celebration committee member and chair of the event. “The #GWCherryChallenge lets us offer a tasteful event that keeps George Washington's memory alive in his hometown.”
Diners—whether dine-in or take-out—will receive QR codes to vote electronically for their favorite cherry entries based on three criteria: taste, presentation, and creativity. Diners will rate each item from one to three cherries for a maximum score of 9 on each ballot. Point totals for each dish are divided by the number of ballots to get the average score. The highest average in each category wins.
This year’s #GWCherryChallenge participant list includes Augie's Mussel House, Bastille Brasserie & Bar, Café 44, Chadwicks, Daniel O'Connell's Restaurant & Bar, Dishes of India, Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap, Lost Boy Cider, Lost Dog Café, Mason Social, Murphy's Irish Pub, Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company, Sunday in Saigon, Taqueria Poblano, The Light Horse Restaurant, Urbano 116, Vaso's Mediterranean Bistro, Vermilion, Whiskey & Oyster, and others are still joining.
The full list of participating restaurants can be found on the GWBCC website at www.washingtonbirthday.com/cherry-challenge.
Guests are encouraged to Tweet photos and descriptions of the cherry items they tasted by using the hashtag “#GWCherryChallenge” or by posting them to the George Washington Birthday Celebration’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GeorgeWashingtonsBirthdayCelebration
For more information and a schedule for events related to George Washington's birthday celebration, visit washingtonbirthday.com.
