Dubbing itself as a culinary and epicurean arts festival, Appetite at The Music Center at Strathmore might be the new festival in town but it's got quite the line up for its inaugural debut. With Bizarre Foods Andrew Zimmern and Food Network's Giada De Laurentiis headlining this two-day event it certainly has the star power, but Appetite will also showcase local purveyors, chefs, and food trucks all with a backdrop of live music, this is a music center after all.

If you're wondering why Strathmore is entering the world of food, you may remember they've tapped RAMMY Award winning Michael Babin of Neighborhood Restaurant Group to develop the food and wine at its new sister venue, AMP.

If Zimmern and De Laurentiis don't peak your interest then perhaps DC's own Todd Gray, Scott Drewno, Ed Hardy and Robert Wedimaier will. All are on hand hosting demonstrations, with Hardy and Grey offering tips on preparing meats and fish while Drewno has the money gig, hosting a pig roast at the specialty beer garden. Yes please!

For a full list of offerings head on over to the Appetite website, but some of the notable tastes on hand are Righteous Cheese, M Street Kitchen, MeatCrafters, Vino Volvo and Morton's Steakhouse. The food truck court will host Red Hook Lobster Pound, Pepe, Dolci Gelati and Woodland's Vegan Bistro to name a few.

Appetite - A Gastronomic Experience, August 1 & 2: ticket prices range from $44-$225 depending on the different shows, regular or VIP access, here.

Strathmore: 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD

Image Credit: Strathmore