On Sunday, July 30, 2017, Dine Diaspora hosted its 2nd annual Chop Bar in Washington, DC. The event which is inspired by makeshift restaurants throughout West Africa, celebrated global cuisine with a vibrant flair. Featuring a tasting menu curated by Executive Chef at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Chef Jerome Grant, guests enjoyed dishes inspired by his African-American, Filipino, and Caribbean heritage. From Smoked Chesapeake Blue Catfish to a Cassava Cake, each dish was meticulously plated to look as beautiful as it tasted.
There were many unforgettable moments throughout the event. Here are a few reasons why this year’s Chop Bar was epic:
1. Chef Jerome Grant did not disappoint. He created dishes with ingredients from Whole Foods Market and took the time to carefully plate them. His Lamb Roti was a crowd pleaser.
2. The bar was buzzing with two signature drinks made with Tambour Original - the “African Sunrise” and the “No Wahala.” Each had a distinct taste that guests couldn’t get enough of.
3. The music was live! DJ Earthkwak spinned the latest mix of Afro Beats, Afro-house, Hip-Hop,Pop and more. Whether two-stepping or dipping it low, guests moved to the beat and did not stop.
4. The giveaways were amazing! Lucky guests walked away with many giveaways, including gift certificates to their favorite Tin Shop restaurants. One lucky winner also won a ticket from our travel sponsor South African Airways to these three travel destinations in Africa - South Africa, Senegal, Ghana.
5. There were goodies at our Chop Shop (online retail shop coming soon), from aprons to calabashes that guests bought and took home. We can’t forget the special treat of Häagen-Dazs ice cream that made the sunny day cooler than ever! The flavor was Coconut Pineapple - yummy!
Thanks you to all our sponsors and partners: Whole Foods Market, South African Airways, A Creative DC, Yelp DC, Tin Shop, DJ Earthkwak, Super Puppy Podcast, Black Foodie, Pop Caven, Pienanny, 54 Kingdoms, Tambour Original, Nativsol Kitchen, J3 Photography.
