Southern Hospitality in D.C.
Taste of the South, the annual springtime charity that is becoming as anticipated and beloved as the cherry blossoms, was in full force this past Saturday. Though the blossoms have yet to do so, Taste of the South, now in its 32nd year, rolled out a big helping of southern hospitality for Hill folk at its new location at the Washington Hilton.
Taste of the South at the Washington Hilton (Photo: Richard Barry/DC on Heels)
Put on by southern transplant volunteers, the event netted $400,00 for the year’s featured charities, West End School in Louisville, Ky, and The Lupus Foundation of America, DC/MD/VA Chapter as well as 12 charities across the South. West End School provides a free, private college-prep education for at-risk young men in the community from pre-K to 8th grade.
Delegations from 13 states plated iconic state dishes with help from local D.C. restaurants. Guests stuffed state-themed memorabilia like novelty Louisville Slugger bats from Kentucky into bulging swag bags while sampling every variety of pulled pork imaginable. North Carolina’s vinegary brand took prized pig in my book.
Southern delights like you wouldn’t believe at Taste of the South. (Photo: Richard Barry/DC on Heels)
Other finger foods deserving of the two thumbs-up were Louisiana Florida clams casino and oysters Rockefeller, shrimp gumbo from Mississippi and fried catfish filets courtesy of Alabama.
How all the belles and beaux had enough energy or stomach for dancing shocked and amazed, but the band kept the floor moving with radio hits and hill-billy classics.
TOTS taste in music kept the crowd moving (Photo: Richard Barry/DC on Heels)
Keep an eye out next year for this must-attend event. Come on back now y’all!
Richard is a freelance writer who enjoys building a healthy appetite with long runs around the city. When not logging the miles, he can be spotted training the palate at brunches, happy hours and food trucks.
