Central Nova News

Alexandria, VA – The highly anticipated culinary contest, known as the "Cherry Challenge," will be taking place in Alexandria starting from February 1. Restaurants across the city will be competing to create the most delectable cherry-oriented dishes, including appetizers, entrées, beverages, and desserts. This year, the Cherry Challenge is proud to announce that it has found an event sponsor in George Washington's Mount Vernon.

Kristen Eastlick, a committee member of the GW Birthday Celebration and chair of the event, expressed her excitement about the sponsorship, stating, "We’re thrilled that historic Mount Vernon has graciously sponsored this whimsical event." This collaboration between the Cherry Challenge and Mount Vernon is expected to generate buzz for Alexandria restaurants, inspire chefs to showcase their creativity, and increase customer traffic.

Diners participating in the Cherry Challenge will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite cherry dishes based on three criteria: taste, presentation, and creativity. Using QR codes, diners will be able to vote electronically, rating each dish on a scale of one to three cherries. The average score will be calculated by dividing the total points for each dish by the number of ballots received. The dish with the highest average score in each category will be declared the winner.

A diverse range of restaurants will be participating in this year's #GWCherryChallenge. Among the participants are Bastille Restaurant, BRABO Brasserie, Crazy Mason Jar, Dishes of India, Don Taco, Evening Star Café, Jula's on the Potomac, Kiwi Pie Shop, Lost Boy Cider, Mae’s Market and Café, Murphy's Irish Pub, River Bend Bistro, Taqueria Poblano, The Italian Place, The Light Horse, The Tasting Room, Trattoria da Fanco, Whiskey and Oyster, and many others.

To find the complete list of participating restaurants, visit the GWBCC website at washingtonbirthday.com/cherry-challenge-participants. Guests are encouraged to share their experiences by posting photos and descriptions of the cherry items they taste on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) using the hashtag "#GWCherryChallenge" or by sharing them on the George Washington Birthday Celebration's Facebook page.

The George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee (GWBCC), a city-appointed volunteer committee, is responsible for organizing events to celebrate the birthday of the first President and Alexandria native. The Cherry Challenge is just one of the many events planned for the celebration. Other events include the George Washington Birthday Parade, George Washington walking tours, the Hunt for Washington, a Birthnight event at Gadsby's Tavern, and the annual Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association breakfast.

For more information about the events and a schedule, please visit the official website at washingtonbirthday.com.

Individuals and businesses are invited to contribute to the success of the celebration by becoming parade sponsors. Sponsorships are tax-deductible and play a crucial role in ensuring the success of each year's celebration. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit washingtonbirthday.com/2024-sponsorships or contact Sue Johnson at suej020924@gmail.com or the GWBCC at gwbirthdayevents@gmail.com.

For media inquiries, please contact Kristen Eastlick at kristen.eastlick@gmail.com or Bud Jackson at bud@jacksongroupmedia.com.

The Cherry Challenge promises to be a delightful event that not only showcases the culinary talents of Alexandria's restaurants but also pays homage to the legacy of George Washington in his hometown.