Alexandria’s “Cherry Challenge” Kicks Off Today (January 27)

Alexandria, VA – Alexandria’s “Cherry Challenge” culinary contest kicks off today, January 27, with restaurants across the city competing for customer votes on the best cherry-oriented appetizer, entrée, beverage, and/or dessert.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon is sponsoring the Cherry Challenge for the second year in a row.  This restaurant contest kicks off Alexandria’s annual George Washington Birthday celebration month of festivities that includes the nation’s original and largest George Washington Birthday Parade on Saturday, February 15.

“This unique event helps generate buzz for Alexandria restaurants, encourages chefs to get creative, and boosts customer traffic,” said Kristen Eastlick, George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee member and chair of the event.

“The #GWCherryChallenge lets us offer a tasteful event that keeps George Washington’s memory alive in his hometown. We’re thrilled that historic Mount Vernon has graciously sponsored this whimsical event,” she continued.

“While the myth of young George Washington chopping down a cherry tree lives large in the American imagination, it turns out he really does have a connection to cherries,” said Julie Almacy, Vice President of Media & Communications at Mount Vernon.  “Last year, we here at Mount Vernon were astonished to find perfectly preserved cherries in bottles buried in the Mansion’s cellar since before the Revolutionary War. Sponsoring the George Washington Birthday Parade Cherry Challenge is the perfect way for Mount Vernon to support his annual hometown tribute. And we promise none of the desserts competing are made with 250-year-old cherries!”

Diners, both dine-in and take-out, will receive QR codes to vote electronically for their favorite cherry entries based on three criteria: taste, presentation, and creativity. Diners will rate each item from one to three cherries for a maximum score of 9 on each ballot. Point totals for each dish are divided by the number of ballots to get the average score. The highest average in each category wins.

This year’s #GWCherryChallenge participant list includes a.Lounge+Bar at Hotel AKA Alexandria, Augie’s Mussel House, Bastille Brasserie & Bar, Buzz Bakeshop, Capo Italian Deli, Chadwicks, Chalkboard Wings & BBQ, Chop Shop Taco, Dishes of India, Dolci Gelati, Elaine’s, Frankie’s Kitchen & Cocktail Bar, Gin Ramen & Asian Tapas, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Hops N Shine, Jula’s on the Potomac, Lost Boy Cider, Mason Social, Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company, Shooter McGee’s, The Greenery by TLC, The MacMillan Spirit House, The Light Horse Restaurant, Union Sandwich Company, Urbano 116, and Whiskey & Oyster.

The full list of participating restaurants can be found at www.washingtonbirthday.com/cherry-challenge.

Guests are encouraged to share photos and descriptions of the cherry items they tasted on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) by using the hashtag “#GWCherryChallenge” or by posting them to the George Washington Birthday Celebration’s Facebook page.

During the Cherry Challenge, George Washington’s Mount Vernon will co-host a special event with the George Washington Birthday Committee called “Unearthing History: Mount Vernon’s Cherry Discoveries”, featuring Mount Vernon archeologists who unearthed 250-year-old bottles and perfectly preserved cherries and berries under the Mansion in 2024.  This event will be held at the Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum on Tuesday, February 11.  For more information, visit washingtonbirthday.com/2025-events.

Other Celebration events include the February 15 George Washington Birthday Parade, a month-long Hunt for Washington, an Intimate Reception with George Washington, a George Washington Birthnight event at Gadsby’s Tavern, George Washington’s Alexandria walking tours, and more.  For more information and a schedule for this year’s events, visit washingtonbirthday.com/2025-events.