Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge: Final Program Announced
23 embassies will compete, emcee and stage performances confirmed
Washington, D.C. – The 2024 Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge is proud to announce that 23 embassies will compete in this year’s distinguished international culinary competition on March 7th at 6 p.m. at Union Station. Limited tickets are available and can be purchased online.
The Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge is a gathering of embassy chefs from around the world, showcasing the unique flavors of their home countries in a friendly, delicious culinary competition. The 2024 Challenge offers an immersive, global foodie experience only possible in Washington, DC.
Attendees will travel the world with their taste buds, sampling bites and beverages from the participating countries while chefs compete to win the coveted People’s Choice Award, chosen by guests’ votes and announced alongside the Judges’ Choice, selected by a panel of influential members of the diplomatic, cultural and culinary communities.
Countries confirmed to compete are:
Barbados
Bolivia
Chile
China
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Georgia
Guatemala
Hungary
Indonesia
Madagascar
Malawi
Morocco
Panama
Peru
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sri Lanka
Thailand
The Gambia
Uganda
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Nycci Nellis, one of Washington, D.C’s best known food and wine journalists, is back to emcee the Embassy Chef Challenge. Nellis is the co-host of Foodie & the Beast, a one-hour live food and wine variety show airing weekly on 1500 AM. She is also the founder and publisher of TheListAreYouOnIt.com and host of Industry Night, a weekly podcast that takes listeners and guests on thought-provoking, deep dives into subjects impacting the worlds of food, wines, spirits and brews. With her extensive knowledge and passion for the culinary and hospitality industry, Nellis is a trusted source for the latest trends, restaurant reviews, recipes and insider tips.
Joining Nellis on the Embassy Chef Challenge stage will be a non-stop program of performances to accompany the delicious food and drink that will be served. While the Embassy Chef Challenge not only encourages culinary diplomacy, it also celebrates the visual arts of many cultures and highlights some of the world’s amazing musicians, dancers and singers.
This year’s Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge performance groups on the main stage are:
Beijing Opera, Battle at the Hu Village: A classic performance, showcasing singing, dancing, recitation and combat by a female warrior from ancient China.
GRUFOLPAWA (Grupo Folclórico de Panamá en Washington): Showcase of Panamanian folklore presented through regional music and dance. GRUFOLPAWA’s mission is to present, preserve, and promote Panamanian folklore through its regional music and interpretive dance, wearing authentic Panamanian attire while providing the multicultural population of the Washington, DC metropolitan community with the spirit and diverse flavor of Panamá.
Hungarian Folk Dance performed by Magnolia and the Tisza Ensemble: Authentic Hungarian folk dance in traditional folk costumes accompanied by traditional Hungarian folk music.
Kuweni performed by the Natamu School of Sri Lankan Traditional Dance: A creative dance through Sri Lankan traditional dances, taking us on a journey of Kuweni, the powerful queen of the Yakka clan in Sri Lanka, who established self-sufficiency in her country by welcoming 700 people, including Prince Vijaya from India. Sadly, she died heartbroken after parting ways with King Vijaya. Kuweni remains revered as Sri Lanka's most influential and inaugural queen.
Morenada Boliviana: A folk dance from Bolivia, its origins date back to colonial times. The dance is an imitation and satire that represents the painful walk of Black slaves who were brought by the Spanish conquistadors to work in the mines of Oruro and Potosí in the times of the mita and the encomienda.
Saudi Ardah: Ardah (Arabic: العرضة / al-‘arḍah) is a type of folkloric group Saudi dance originally from the Najd region, located in the heart of the Kingdom. The dance is performed with two rows of men opposite one another, each of whom may or may not be wielding a sword or cane, and is accompanied by drums and spoken poetry.
Serbian Kolo Dance: Serbian Kolo Dance is a UNESCO-recognized part of its List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The folklore dance group of the Serbian Cultural Center "Opančiĉi" will perform joyful kolo dances from Serbia, taking the audience on a journey filled with songs, dancing and beauty of traditional folklore costumes.
Yapong Dance performed by Nusantara Budaya: Yapong Dance is a joyful dance with dynamic and exotic movements, originating from Jakarta and created by Bagong Kussudiardja. The movements reflect the happy atmosphere of welcoming Prince Jayakarta after its victory against the colony battalions. The music accompaniment is played by folk instruments from Betawi/Jakarta, Sunda/West Java, and Java. The name "yapong" was taken from the repeated "ya ya ya" from the song and the "pong pong pong" sound from the music.
Attendees can start planning their Embassy Chef Challenge experience, buy tickets and view more information at https://www.gatherbyeventsdc.com/international-city-fest/embassy-chef-challenge.
Media Members: For media interested in covering the Embassy Chef Challenge, please visit here to apply for press credentials to attend and cover the event. Please follow instructions to apply online and responses will be provided within 24 hours of applications this week. Please note, credentials are for working members of the press only.
About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the LEED Gold-certified Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, The Fields at RFK, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC) — and on our new hub for on-demand event programming on GATHER by Events DC at www.gatherbyeventsdc.com.
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