April is bringing the heat (and the lamb) to cities across the country, and while American Lamb Board’s Lamb Jam 2026 is a full-on national moment, let’s be honest, we’ve got our eyes (and appetites) firmly planted right here in Washington, D.C..Yes, Lamb Jam is taking over eight cities, from Atlanta to Seattle, but DC’s lineup? It’s stacked. Think chefs you already love,and a whole lot of creativity coming off the line.Throughout April, these chefs are showcasing American lamb in their own distinct ways as part of a citywide dine-around. Dishes are designed to be approachable (read: under $30), popping up on bar menus, happy hours, and small plates → aka your perfect excuse to make a whole month of it.And while diners can vote for their favorites and judges will weigh in behind the scenes, the real win here is getting to taste how each chef interprets American lamb right now.The DC Chefs Bringing the Lamb LoveHere’s who you’ll find leading the charge across the District:Jarrad Silver of Silver and Son’sRakesh Singh of Rasika West EndJames Robinson of Iron GateManu Carbone of Brasero & FloreriaElias Taddesse of MélangeRobbie Reyes of Lucky DangerRyan Moore of SababaWhat Happens NextAt the end of the month, one DC chef will take the top spot locally. Then it gets interesting: winners from each city go head-to-head, with East and West Coast champions crowned, and yes, bragging rights come with a year’s worth of American lamb.Winning chefs will host intimate Lamb Jam dinners later this summer, multi-course, lamb-focused evenings with wine pairings, butchery demos, and even a chance to meet the producers behind the product. It’s that full pasture-to-plate story we love.Why It Matters (and Why You Should Go Eat)Lamb Jam isn’t just about what’s on the plate. It’s about showcasing American lamb as a versatile, sustainable ingredient and connecting diners to the farmers and ranchers behind it. But let’s not overthink it, this is also your chance to eat really well across the city. Now the only question is, how many stops can you hit this month?

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Nycci Nellis of TheListAreYouOnIt.com is tracking all the St. Patrick’s Day festivities happening across the DMV, highlighting a multi-day celebration packed with food, drinks, and lively events. The festivities kick off early with several multi-day whiskey-focused celebrations featuring Irish favorites, Guinness, and classic dishes. On March 14, guests can enjoy a waterfront VIP Irish experience with whiskey tastings and live music, while neighborhood spots host all-day celebrations and themed events. Alexandria joins in with a city-wide bar crawl, and a long-running St. Baldrick’s Day event on March 15 offers a meaningful way to celebrate while raising funds for pediatric cancer research. On St. Patrick’s Day itself, iconic pubs across Capitol Hill and Northern Virginia deliver all-day parties filled with Irish music, whiskey, and community spirit. Nycci’s top advice: pace yourself, enjoy the hearty Irish fare, and remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

On this episode of Industry Night, Nycci Nellis sits down with two of the most influential leaders in the global cocktail community, Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero, the powerhouse duo behind Speed Rack, the groundbreaking all-female bartending competition that has helped reshape the bar industry.What started as a bold idea to create visibility for women behind the bar has grown into a global movement. Now in its 14th season, Speed Rack has hosted more than 120 competitions around the world, launched countless bartending careers, and raised over $1.85 million for breast cancer research and prevention.Nycci has known Ivy and Lynnette since the early days of Speed Rack,  even judging one of the first competitions when it came to Washington, DC. In this lively conversation, they look back at how the cocktail world has evolved over the past decade, the barriers women once faced in the industry, and how mentorship, community, and advocacy have helped transform the landscape.The conversation also dives into their individual journeys and the many ways they continue to shape the future of hospitality. Ivy Mix is an award-winning bartender, author of Spirits of Latin America, and co-owner of Brooklyn’s Whoopsie Daisy Lynnette Marrero, a Tales of the Cocktail Visionary Award winner, is an educator, entrepreneur, and partner in Milly’s Neighborhood Bar, and has spent her career building innovative bar programs and mentoring the next generation of industry leaders.Together they discuss the evolution of Speed Rack, the importance of creating opportunities in hospitality, and what the future of the cocktail world looks like.Plus, Nycci puts them through a few rapid-fire questions at the end — because no Industry Night would be complete without a little fun behind the bar.Pour yourself a drink and join the conversation. Listen to the full episode here and watch it here.