2019 Taste Of Del Ray Winners Announced At Sold-Out Event

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The 11th annual Taste of Del Ray once again sold out on Sunday, June 2. The event drew 500 people, 50 VIP attendees and record participation from 17 restaurants.

The afternoon culminated with the announcement of the judges' and people's choice winners. The two guest judges, Chefs Pablo Ranea and Vikram Sunderam, decided on their favorites while attendees could submit votes for their top choice.

The judges' choice winners were:

• First place: Del Ray Pizzeria/DRP Reserve for Jicama shrimp taco
• Second place: Stomping Ground for jerk pulled pork with cilantro aioli and red onion on mini buttermilk biscuit
• Third place: Swing's Coffee Roasters for hopped cascara soda

The people's choice winners were:

• First place: Pork Barrel BBQ for Del Ray's smoked white chicken chili
• Second place: Del Ray Pizzeria/DRP Reserve for Jicama shrimp taco
• Third place: Northside 10 for risotto fritters with tomato gravy

The event is held by the Del Ray Business Association. Karen Johnson, who has organized Taste of Del Ray for 10 years, told Patch it's an opportunity for restaurants to try out new dishes and residents to get to know the neighborhood.

"There's so many people here that are new to the Del Ray neighborhood," she said of the attendees.

Some restaurants made their event debut. Longtime favorite Al's Steak House participated for the first time, along with new restaurants Hops N Shine and Charlie's On The Avenue (with Live Oak).

Also new this year was a VIP reception held before Taste of Del Ray opened to the public. VIP attendees got the first tastes along with a wine tasting. The number of general admission tickets sold was cut from 1,000 to 500 this year to alleviate crowding.

Event proceeds go to the Del Ray Business Association for other annual events in the neighborhood.