My 2026 New Year’s resolution is to catch up on my backlog of stories from 2025. So, here is an account of the March MoCo Eats Food and Beverage Showcase Consumer Expo, with a few words on the associated Hospitality Conference. Consider this an advance notice of this year’s event, scheduled for March 15, 2026.
At the Consumer Expo, eighty-seven food and drink purveyors, with a sprinkling of state and county agencies and civic-minded sponsors, stood ready to introduce themselves to a crowd of 600 eager patrons. The Hilton Rockville atrium and surrounding meeting rooms were filled with tables and smells of food being prepped.
Most food businesses were handing out samples of their craft. It was great fun to meet new entrepreneurs and munch my way through their offerings. By some measures, Montgomery is the most culturally diverse county in the country, and certainly many cultures were represented at this event.
Here are some of the highlights.
Oysters!
The King Street Oyster Bar was shuckin’ away. The only local King Street I know of is in Virginia, but this restaurant’s eponym is not in Alexandria. This is the first Maryland location of a chain with four places elsewhere in the area. Their oysters come from all over the continent; some of them are from nearby waters.
Silver Wheel Cellars
Chris Lanning, the founder of this new cidery, used to be the chief winemaker for the Olney Winery. He now produces cider, mead, wine, and red wine vinegar in Silver Spring, but leads with his cider.
Seventh State by Marriott
One of the biggest hospitality presences in the county was well represented by a nice display, and very photogenic samples. Cookies that look like tiny pizzas, and even presented in cute little pizza boxes! How could I resist?
The Hospitality Conference
Held the day after the Expo, it was aimed at entrepreneurs and culinary professionals. A morning of speakers and panels addressed topics including small-business startup processes, restaurant profitability, and innovation in the age of AI.
I welcomed the chance to renew acquaintance with Seth Goldman. He describes himself on his business card as “Co-Founder and Chief Change Agent” of Just Ice Tea. Fellow locals may remember him as a founder of Honest Tea, and its subsequent purchase and deep-sixing by Coca-Cola.
The Just Ice Tea flavors are reminiscent of the old Honest tastes, and the name suggests an even more liminal interpretation: Just Ice Tea – JU(st)ICE Tea – Justice Tea. He continues to apply enlightened principles to running a corporation, but with twenty-five years of experience. Here’s to twenty-five more!