Jon Arroyo Set to Compete in the Quill Cocktail Competition

This Sunday, Chief Mixologist Jon Arroyo will take on five other top Washington mixologists in a cocktail combat. Contestants will have 20 minutes to concoct a drink using Jefferson’s signature bourbon.

Battlegrounds are in the Jefferson Hotel Quill Lounge. Tickets to the event are $50 and include passed cocktails and snacks beginning at 2:00 pm. At 3:00 pm, the battle begins, guests will sample the goods, and only one mixologist will reign supreme. Good luck, Jon!

Washington’s Best Food and Cocktail Pairings at Spirit of the Festival

Herb-crusted rotisserie chicken paired with the Dolores Dulces cocktail, a soon-to-be menu feature

Founding Farmers is one of just five restaurants to be showcased at the inaugural prelude event to the International Wine & Food Festival in February. On November 30, Chief Mixologist Jon Arroyo and Executive Chef Al Nappo will team up at Spirit of the Festival and use Patron XO Café to create a unique cocktail and food pairing. This week, the duo gave DC food journalists and bloggers a first taste of the pairing.

The Dolores Dulces cocktail features Patron XO Café, cognac, cherry brandy, egg white and a garnish of fresh grated nutmeg. The rich and delicious concoction pairs nicely with Chef’s herb-crusted rotisserie chicken with Maryland kale, cabbage and pears sautéed in Patron XO Café. Founding Farmers will feature the Dolores Dulces for a limited time after the competition.

Jon Arroyo Featured in James Beard House Dinner in NYC

On August 10, Jon Arroyo, the cocktail mastermind behind Alembic Cocktail Catering and the Founding Farmers and Farmers & Fishers mixology programs, served a signature cocktail at the James Beard House in New York City.

A handful of Washington, DC’s most talented chefs and mixologists, all RAMMY nominees, presented their dishes at this prestigious event. Jon served his RAMMY cocktail, “Play It Again, Jim.” The unique twist on a traditional daiquiri is made with Jim Beam Rye Whiskey, lime juice, Luxardo Maraschino, grenadine and Angostura bitters.

Chef Al Nappo and Chief Mixologist Jon Arroyo at Chef’s Best

More than 50 DC celebrity chefs and mixologists turned out to serve their signature dishes for Chef’s Best on June 14. This annual fundraiser marked the 20^th anniversary of Food & Friends, a charitable organization that provides food and nutrition counseling to people with life-challenging illnesses.

Executive Chef Al Nappo prepared and served Founding Farmers’ house-made blue crab ravioli in tomato basil butter with goat cheese.  From sister restaurant, Farmers & Fishers, his team also served gazpacho with tortilla strips and chocolate-covered bacon lollipops.

Jon Arroyo, Chief Mixologist for both restaurants and Alembic Cocktail Catering, served a refreshing summer cocktail. The Alembic Summer Punch Royale is a delicious combination of Pisco, Cointreau, pineapple juice, lime, lemon and a little sparkling wine.

The chefs, food, cocktails and the auction surely made this a night to remember.

Reserve Now! Whisky Dinner with Rick Wasmund, 4/19

Jon Arroyo with Sean and Rick from Copper Fox

Don’t miss the kickoff event to our annual Whisky Week celebration -learn about the origins, crafting and distilling of Whisky from Master Distiller Rick Wasmund, of Copper Fox Distillery in Sperryville, VA, where Founding Farmers Rye Whisky, Rye Spirit and Single Malt varieties are made.

Invite your friends – make your reservations today.   All the details follow after the menu!

1st course –  Farmhouse style appetizers
* Mixed flatbreads with artisenal meats/cheeses
* Bacon Lollis
* Johnny’s nuts
Whisky pairing: FF White Single Malt Martini

2nd course

* Roasted Tomato Soup or Farmers’ Salad
Whisky pairing: Founding Farmers’ Rye Spirit served neat

3rd course – Entrée
* Cedar-plank Salmon marinated with Founding Farmers’ Rye and fresh orange
* or Chimichurri Skirt Steak & Enchilada
Whisky pairing: Founding Farmers’ Rye Whisky / rocks

4th course – Dessert
Scratch-made Donut Holes with dipping sauces
Whisky pairing: Snifter of Wasmund’s Single Malt batch #38

This special Whisky paired dinner is $75/ pp all inclusive of taxes and gratuity, and there is limited seating. Reservations must be made in advance to meaghan.oshea@wearefoundingfarmers.com, and a credit card will be required to hold your reservation.  Please include your day & evening phone numbers in your email so we may contact you to confirm the details.

Whisky Week is April 19-24: Cocktails, Tastings, Prizes!

The second annual Whisky Week returns to Founding Farmers and we’re excited to celebrate more than just the fact that American Whisky is something to be celebrated, but also the release of our new, 100 proof Founding Farmers Rye Whisky – exclusively handcrafted by Wasmund’s, at the Copper Fox Distillery in Sperryville, VA, in our own barrels that are specially selected for each new batch.

Join us for any of these special Whisky Week events April 19 – 24th, and when you visit, enter to win your own 5 liter Rye Whisky barrel kit, for aging your own Rye Spirit at home.  The winner will be drawn on Saturday, April 24th.

Monday, April 19, 5-9pm – Master Distiller Rick Wasmund shares whisky knowledge from 5-6:30pm, with Chief Mixologist Jon Arroyo behind the bar, mixing up special cocktails with the latest batch of Founding Farmers Rye

Whisky Spirits Dinner, Monday, April 19, 6:30-8:30pm. A great opportunity to sample all four of the Founding Farmers’ own spirits, perfectly paired with menu items for a delicious four-course meal.  Hosted by Rick Wasmund, this special dinner is limited to 25 guests.  $75/pp, includes tax and gratuity. Menu information will be posted very soon.  Reservations are required.

Tuesday, April 20, 5-9pm – Guest Mixologist TBD and launch of new FF whisky cocktails

Wednesday, April 21, 5-10pm - Chief Mixologist Jon Arroyo, and Rick’s back to share more Whisky wisdom and offer a four-tasting flight of the Founding Farmers’ spirits for $15.

Thursday, April 22, 5-10pm – Guest Mixologist TBD

Friday, April 23, 5-10pm – Featured Mixologist is our own dapper Joe Cleveland, with a quick wit and a great smile and laugh to make your Whisky experience more enjoyable. He’ll introduce a new summer cocktail and a special Rye cocktail of the day.

Saturday, April 24, 5-10pm – the capping celebration of the week – the drawing for the Mini Barrel

Artini Buzz Builds: Jon Arroyo In Motion

Thanks to Alejandro Salinas from the Washingtonian for stopping by to film Jon mixing up his “Case in Point” cocktail for Artini….look delicious, right?  Well, last night about 50 or so Artini fans thought so!   Come on down to Georgetown, pull up a seat at the bar (or get a table outside!) and try it for yourself.   Then get your VOTE on and help Jon bring home the 2010 Artini top cocktail title!

Artini Feature Cocktail Night at Farmers & Fishers Thursday, 3.18

Thursday, March 18

6:30pm–8:30pm

Join Farmers & Fishers’ Chief Mixologist Jon Arroyo as he shakes and pours his Artini cocktail, “Case in Point,” for the first time at the Artini feature night this Thursday. Jon is competing with 11 other top mixologists for the most artistic cocktail inspired by a piece from the Corcoran Gallery of Art’s William A. Clark Collection, and he’s certainly made a case for his masterful mixology skills with this one!

Jon’s muse of the imbibed is Forain’s courtroom drama (above), where proof exonerates the innocent or condemns the guilty. He presents his own proof using the French, high-proof Remy Martin VSOP with a mix of fresh raspberries, limes, orange bitters and ginger syrup topped with a Pernod absinthe foam….a complex yet carefully framed concoction that may have you telling the truth after just one—after all, there is no liquor with a higher proof than absinthe!

Jon’s cocktail will be judged by a jury of his peers – you! Register your vote for “Case in Point” to find the judgment on this case. Then join the 1869 Society and the Artini Host Committee at the Artini benefit on Saturday, March 27th to help raise funds for the Corcoran’s Art Reach programs.

À la vôtre!