Participate in Cherry Picks

PARTICIPATE

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Photo Credit: Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden

Participation is limited and must be approved by the Festival.

Benefits:

  • Cherry Picks webpage feature
  • Listing in Cherry Picks article, select menu item photos will be featured
  • Featured in Spotlight Restaurant dedicated e-blast
  • Inclusion in the 2024 Festival press kit and in Festival media outreach
  • Opportunity to serve samples at Pink Tie Party (March 2024)

Restaurant Commitments

  • Giftcards (amount as NCBF determines)
  • Complete customized spring-themed menu, must include:
    • Beverage (alcoholic/non-alcoholic)
    • Appetizer
    • Entrée
    • Dessert
  • Provide logo for use in promotional marketing (145 x 145 pixels, PNG format) due by March 1, 2024
  • Photos of all springtime menu items by March 1, 2024 (300dpi)
  • Photos of all springtime menu items by March 1, 2024 (300 dpi)

*All gift cards should be dated a year or more from the date of issuance; no purchasing restrictions. Gift cards can be emailed to tdickens@ncbfdc.orgor mailed to: National Cherry Blossom Festival, 1275 K Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 ATTN: Cherry Picks.

 
 

Participation is limited and must be approved by the Festival

Benefits 

  • Listing on Cherry Night website event page
  • Featured and tagged on Festival social media, including live coverage of Cherry Night events
  • Inclusion in Cherry Night dedicated e-blast the week of March 22-29th (Cherry Night will be on Friday, March 29th, 2024)
  • Inclusion in Festival press kit and Cherry Night media outreach

Restaurant Commitments 

  • Offer free entertainment, custom menu items, and promote a pink dress code the night of March 29
  • At least one spring-themed menu item. May include: beverage (may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic), appetizer, entrée, dessert
  • Provide logo for use in promotional marketing (145 x 145 pixels, PNG format)due by March 1, 2024
  • Event description
  • Venue photo for promotional purposes

Benefits 

  • Neighborhood Guide Listing on the website
  • Link to Cherry Picks webpage in the Festival Guide
  • Select restaurants with high-quality photos featured with links back to the Cherry Picks page
  • Select restaurants with high-quality menu item photos will be featured in the following themed e-blasts:
    • March 26 – 30: Delightful Drinks Festive libations, cocktails and mocktails
    • March 31 – April 6: Fresh Foodie Appetizers and main courses
    • April 7 – April 14: Decadent Desserts Festive delicacies
  • Inclusion in the 2024 Festival press kit

Restaurant Commitments 

  • Four (4) $50 gift cards*for the Festival to use for fundraising, promotional, or publicity purposes
  • At least one spring-themed menu item May include:
    • Beverage (may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
    • Appetizer
    • Entrée
    • Dessert
  • Provide logo for use in promotional marketing (145 x 145 pixels, PNG format)due by March 1, 2024
  • Photo of custom springtime menu item by February 16, 2024(300 dpi)

*All gift cards should be dated a year or more from the date of issuance; no purchasing restrictions. Gift cards can be emailed to tdickens@ncbfdc.orgor mailed 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 Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, is proud to showcase the Washington, DC area’s vibrant restaurant scene during the 2024 Festival, from March 20 – April 14. Restaurants who enroll in the program offer custom spring-themed menu items that are featured on Festival channels, encouraging Washington, DC area residents and visitors to experience flavors of this iconic DC season with friends and family. 

2024 Cherry Picks Registration is now closed and will return in October 2025!


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 SUPPORTING SPONSORS

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is the regional trade association representing restaurants and the foodservice 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.

 

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