FOODIE & THE BEAST AUGUST 3, 2025

It’s Rammy Gala Sunday, and as one of this evening’s co-chairs and presenters, I’m buzzing with excitement. The nominees? All winners in my book.

So to set the tone for a night of celebration, Foodie & The Beast is serving up a show that’s as full of flavor as it is fun:

-Erin Hildreth, VP of Communications for Responsibility.org shares the latest on their mission to eliminate underage drinking, prevent drunk driving, and promote mindful alcohol consumption. Perfect timing, especially with the Rammy Gala tonight! She also walks us through their very cool (and very handy) Virtual Bar app, a tool to help you plan your drinking before that first sip.

-We jet to the Amalfi Coast, without leaving DC. Francesco Amodeo, founder of acclaimed liqueur distillery Don Ciccio & Figli, is here to talk about Tarì Trattoria, a new concept in Union Market. Francesco brings the bold, simple flavors of his hometown, Furore, Italy, to life and we’re talking and eating aged fish.

-Then, it’s fried chicken, but make it fancy. Reid Shilling and Sarah Quinteros of Shilling Canning Company introduce us to their delicious new Union Market pop up: Fancy Ranch Amish Fried Chicken. It’s crispy, juicy, and there’s a caviar waffle involved.

-We’re joined by two stars from Marcus Samuelsson’s team at Marcus DC: Executive Chef Anthony Jones and Pastry Chef Rachel Sherriffe. They came in hot with blue cornbread + yassa butter and praline coconut cream cake, because how else should you pregame the Rammys? (Rachel is a nominee)

-And finally, AJ Irawan, GM of Nobu DC, returns with Andre Bastien, Nobu’s Bar Director. This month’s featured cocktail is Ocean Bloom, a light and breezy sip perfect for August. They brought samples. We sipped.

-Special Trend Report Roundtable —> discussion between Chef Anthony & Francesco about the dry-aged fish trend that is showing up on menus around the DMV and all over country.

Another Foodie & the Beast is celebrating great food, great people, and a safe (but spirited) Rammy night! Listen to the full episode here.