What do all college students alike love and miss the most about home, no matter what school they go to or how far from home they may be? The answer: A good home-cooked meal, or rather anything that is not from the diner or from any of the many restaurants that line route one. Even with the opening of 251 North, students here at Maryland still miss the meals cooked but their loved ones at home.
Even though nothing can compare to home cooking, once a year, usually in the middle of October, college students in the DC area have the opportunity to sample gourmet food, that they probably would not otherwise be able to afford, at the Taste of Georgetown Food Festival.
Started in 1993 on the lawn of Grace Church, the annual Taste of Georgetown Food Festival has grown into the largest food and wine festival in DC. Students can buy one food sampling ticket for $5 or five tickets for $20, and besides having a great meal, all proceeds go to the Georgetown Ministry Center to give shelter, education, and counseling services to the homeless.
Tables were lined up and down the street in the heart of historic Georgetown, an array of smells filled the air, and music played in the background as people of all ages laughed and conversed with friends over food.
According to Sophomore Geography major Jessica Burns, “I was surprised by the variety of restaurants and cuisine and I liked the feel of the festival. Everyone was talking about the food, and there was a sense of excitement to try new foods.”
Restaurants who participated in the festival included Georgetown Wing Co., Sprinkles Cupcakes, and Bangkok Joe’s, and dishes to sample included extra large four cheese ravioli, pad Thai chicken, and pumpkin cheesecake.
Ross Marchand, sophomore Government and Politics major, said “The ravioli from the Italian place was my favorite part, and I will definitely go back next year to get another helping of the delicious ravioli.”
Manager of Ristorante Piccolo David Shan has participated in Taste of Georgetown for several years. He says he has participated for so long because “you are in the neighborhood and you want to give back to the neighborhood and bring in new potential customers. And its also a fun event, very Georgetown-like.”
So for all you foodies out there, or for those of you who rather not eat at the diner or Chipotle three times a day, look out for this festival next year in mid-October.
Published in the November issue of Unwind! Magazine- a University of Maryland Publication
