PARTICIPATE
Photo Credit: Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden
Participation is limited and must be approved by the Festival.
Benefits:
- Participate in Pink Tie Party culinary experience
- Featured e-blast + social media spotlight
- Premium placement on NCBF website + Flave App
- Mention in the Official Festival Guide
- Inclusion in the Cherry Picks press release
Restaurant Commitments:
- Provide a minimum of $1,500 in-kind through catered dinner or gift cards supporting Festival events and auctions. Participants receive tiered website placement based on value
- Participation in the Pink Tie Party – March 13, 2026
- Create a customized spring-themed menu. Must include:
- Beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
- Appetizer
- Entrée
- Dessert
- Display the official NCBF Cherry Picks Decal that will be provided by NCBF on the menu (digitally or printed)
- Photos of springtime menu due March, 2, 2026 (hi-res; 300 dpi)
*IMPORTANT: All gift cards should be dated one (1) year or more from the date of issuance; no purchasing restrictions. Email gifts cards to tdickens@ncbfdc.org or mail to: National Cherry Blossom Festival, 1275 K Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 (ATTN: Cherry Picks)
Benefits
- Neighborhood Guide Listing on website.
- Select restaurants with high-quality photos featured with links back to the Cherry Picks website.
- Select restaurants with high-quality photos are featured in themed e-blast.
- Link to Cherry Picks website with listing.
Restaurant Commitments:
- Four (4) $50 gift cards for Festival use by March 4, 2026.
- At least one spring-themed menu item. May include:
- Beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
- Appetizer
- Entrée
- Dessert
- Photo of custom springtime menu item by March 12, 2026 (hi-res; 300 dpi)
*IMPORTANT: All gift cards should be dated one (1) year or more from the date of issuance; no purchasing restrictions. Email gifts cards to tdickens@ncbfdc.org or mail to: National Cherry Blossom Festival, 1275 K Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 (ATTN: Cherry Picks)
TASTES OF SPRING
Cherry Picks Participant Details
The National Cherry Blossom Festival, in conjunction with the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, is proud to showcase the Washington, DC area’s vibrant restaurant scene this spring. In addition to creating custom spring-themed menu items featured on Festival channels, participating restaurants are encouraged to extend the blossom spirit into their spaces by adding seasonal décor and joining the City in Bloom Competition “Best Restaurant in Bloom” for added visibility and recognition.
Using the Flave App as the Cherry Picks Guide, guests will immerse themselves in DC’s dining scene, discovering exciting new restaurants and tasting fresh creations from the city’s go-to favorites. By simply sharing photos of their meals, guests can check in, earn rewards, and explore Cherry Picks in a fun, fresh way.
Registration will open on October 6, 2026.
CONTACT TAKEYIA DICKENS AT TDICKENS@NCBFDC.ORG WITH ANY QUESTIONS!
The House of Suntory Cherry Blossom Cocktail Competition
Sponsored By House of Suntory-Toki Whisky, Roku Gin, Haku Vodka & Legent in partnership with the National Cherry Blossom Festival
The House of Suntory and the National Cherry Blossom Festival are collaborating to crown the best mixologist in the Washington, DC, Metropolitan area. This competition will welcome the essence of Japanese culture and feature the hand-crafted House of Suntory products with a cherry blossom twist.
Round 1: Requirements for Entry
Submissions are due Sunday, February 26, 2023
*Up to 5 bartenders will move to Round 2
- Must currently work at a bar/restaurant in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area
- Bar/restaurant must be a Cherry Pick participant – Sign Up Here
- Cocktail name
- Cocktail image
- List of ingredients, garnish, & glassware
- Must use at least one of the House of Suntory products – Toki Whisky, Roku Gin, Haku Vodka & Legent
- Preparation & mixing instructions
- Inspiration of the drink and how it relates to the National Cherry Blossom Festival 2023 Theme – “Spring It On!”
Submissions: Contestants must email submissions to Kelly Paul, kelly.paul@beamsuntory.com, AND TaKeyia Dickens, tdickens@ncbfdc.org.
Round 2 Requirements
- Contestants must be able to showcase, batch, and serve their cocktail for 800+ guests attending the National Cherry Blossom Festival Pink Tie Party on March 16, 2023 (NCBF will provide sampling cups).
- Contestants must be able to present their cocktail to judges at the Pink Tie Party event.
- Contestants must be able to showcase the making of the cocktail and present the cocktail to the Pick Tie Party judges.
- Contestants must provide all cocktail ingredients and glassware for four (4) judges during the event.
Judging Criteria
- Creativity & Originality of Drink
- Presentation/Appearance
- Unique/Intelligent use of the required use of the House of Suntory product
- Balance of Taste, Smell, and Character
- Name Originality, Relevance, and Appeal
Winner: The Official 2023 National Cherry Blossom Cocktail featuring House of Suntory
- The winner will be named at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Pink Tie Party.
- The winner must be available for any media/press during the Festival.
- The winner will display their cocktail at Focus Social Club on March 31, 2023.
Guidelines to Enter
- All persons entering must live in the U.S. and be of legal drinking age.
- All persons and restaurants must have an Instagram account.
- At least one of the House of Suntory (Toki Whisky, Roku Gin, Haku Vodka & Legent) products listed must be used in the cocktail.
- All persons must currently work at a bar/restaurant in the Washington, DC, Metropolitan area.
- All persons must work at a bar/restaurant that is a part of the Cherry Picks program – Sign Up Here if needed.
- All persons must sign an agreement and have their restaurant or bar submit a certificate of insurance.
- Cocktails must contain standard ingredients. Homemade ingredients must be easily replicable, but the cocktail cannot have more than eight (8) components. Examples of homemade ingredients are shrubs, syrups, and infusions. Recipe for Homemade ingredients required.
- Garnishes that impact flavor are considered an ingredient. Garnish is recommended but not required.
- The Official 2023 National Cherry Blossom Cocktail recipe must have a name. The name may not include any copyrighted or trademarked material or any retailer’s name. The cocktail name must not contain any profanity or derogatory language.
- Ingredients must be expressed in fluid ounces (.5 oz., 1 oz., 2 oz., etc.), with dashes and drops being the smallest quantities. Preparation and mixing instructions must be included with your recipe and type of glassware.
- Photo of finished cocktail (for style reference and can be done on a smartphone)
- Headshot of entrant – please include a photo of yourself that we can post on social media, website, articles, or press releases.
- Entries must not allude to the overconsumption or irresponsible consumption of alcohol nor represent our brand in an inappropriate manner. If considered illegal, profane, or obscene, in our sole discretion, entry will be disqualified.
- All entries requirements must be adhered to, or the entry will be considered null and void
- Shooters are fun but not permitted.
Sponsored by
For more information, contact Kelly Paul, kelly.paul@beamsuntory.com AND TaKeyia Dickens, tdickens@ncbfdc.org
CHERRY PICKS SPONSORS
The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is the regional trade association representing restaurants and the food service industry in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Established in 1920, RAMW is an advocate, resource and community for its members. Visit www.ramw.org for more information.
Visit any local restaurant and take a photo of your food to earn points towards exclusive deals. Earn additional points for providing non-publicized feedback to the restaurant. Filter and find happy hour specials. Discover Black, Woman, Veteran owned and LGBTQIA friendly restaurants. Visit www.flave.app for more information.
At Goosechase, experience is everything. Originally inspired by scavenger hunts, Goosechase is an online platform that enables organizations and schools to engage, activate, and educate their communities through delightful interactive experiences. Since hatching in Canada in 2011, Goosechase has powered hundreds of thousands of global team building, training, fundraising, educational, tourist, and recreational experiences. Visit https://www.goosechase.com/ for more information.
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