Taste Of NoVA 2025 Includes Reston Chefs: Change of Venue

UPDATE: The event has been moved to NOVA LIVE campus in Manassas due to the National Museum of the U.S. Army being temporarily closed during the federal government shutdown. Federal government workers can use promo code GOV20 to get 20 percent off of general admission tickets with a valid government ID at TasteOfNoVA.com. (edited)

MANASSAS, VA — Chefs and restaurateurs will bring some of the best flavors around Northern Virginia to one place at the next Taste of NoVA in October. Some of the participants will be representing the Reston area.

Taste of NoVA, hosted by Northern Virginia Magazine, is a returning food and drink festival with representation from around the region. The 2025 event expands to two days on Oct. 11 and 12 on the NOVA LIVE campus in Manassas.

Attendees will get unlimited tastings from top restaurants, breweries, wineries and distilleries. This year. Saturday features a Signature Sips & Bites event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday is the main event, the Grand Tasting with at least 50 restaurants from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Early admission attendees can get into both days an hour early at noon.

New this year are live cooking demonstrations with several chefs, including Chef Matt Hill of Ruthie’s All-Day and chef Bertrand Chemel of 2941 Restaurant.

Another new feature for 2025 is a speaker series with expert sommeliers, brewmasters, distillers and mixologists who will share insights into their beverages. Among the featured speakers are Becky Harris of Catoctin Creek Distillery and Tracy Waldron of Virginia Wine & Spirits Academy.

At the event, Northern Virginia Magazine will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Chef Patrick O'Connell of Michelin-starred The Inn at Little Washington. O’Connell will join NBC4’s Eun Yang for a conversation about his acclaimed restaurant.

"This year, in addition to delicious food and drink tastings, we’re giving guests a behind-the-line experience," said Sang Yang, CEO of Northern Virginia Magazine. "From live cooking demos to expert pours, Taste of NoVA 2025 will be interactive and unforgettable."

Chefs and food professionals from the Reston area participating are:

• Jeremy Ross, mixologist, Tiki Thai
• Keith Reid, general manager, Big Buns
• Chef Clarke Congdon, Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern (Herndon)
• Paul Olson, owner, Weird Brothers Coffee (Herndon)

Attendees have the option of purchasing Saturday ($120 early entry or $100 general admission) , Sunday ($150 early entry or $125 general admission) or two-day tickets ($200 early entry or $165 general admission. Parking costs $20 for a parking pass at the museum or free at the Saratoga VDOT lot (Barta Rd and Fairfax County Pkwy, Springfield, VA) with a shuttle to and from the event.

For more information and tickets, visit tasteofnova.com.