SMOKED! A Non-Alcoholic Beverage & Global Smoked Cuisine Experience

Gain Entry One Hour Early to Access Delicious Cuisine and Special Non-Alcoholic Beverages at This Premier Culinary Experience

This ticket includes dozens of artisan smoked dishes inspired by culinary traditions from around the world.  There will also be a table with non-alcoholic beverages, including mocktails, wine and more.*   

Scroll down for the 2025 menu. [2026 menu coming soon.]

*This ticket excludes tastings of all alcoholic beverages and prohibits the purchase of spirits or any other alcoholic beverage for on-premise consumption or to take home.

A Refresh for 2026

We're refreshing SMOKED! in 2026 with a new, curated selection of global smoked food representing an array of globally inspired flavors. 

We'll have a revamped menu of artisan cuisine balanced between delicious slow-smoked, open-flamed meats, seafood, and vegetarian dishes from Asia, South America, northern Europe and the American South.  We'll present a menu where spice, smoke and char are infused into most selections with sensational effect.

Beautiful Dewey Gottwald Center, a sleek steel and glass structure, is the home for SMOKED!  

For those who purchase tickets which include tasting alcoholic beverages, this uniquely crafted event emphasizes dozens of top-shelf whiskeys, tequilas and other spirits primarily from Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Scotland, Japan and Mexico as well as an extraordinary selection of wines from Virginia, California, Spain, Central Coast, CA and other regions.  

SMOKED! kicks off the Expo's biggest weekend with an unforgettable night of indulgence and laid-back luxury, which also includes an incredible silent auction, and live music.

Foodies, wine lovers and whiskey and tequila enthusiasts will love this event.

Enjoy Live Music by Deputy Dan (Tentative for 2026)

An evening of classic rock hits performed by Deputy Dan, an exciting band comprised of six accomplished, professional musicians living in and around RVA. Deputy Dan delivers an “album like” experience as they perform chart toppers and fan favorites of the legendary recording duo known as Steely Dan, as well as music from other 70s/80s bands such as The Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, and others.  Steely Dan’s rock and roll legacy includes the major hits Reelin’ In the Years, Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, Peg, Deacon Blues, Josie, and many, many more. Steely Dan sold more than 40 million albums and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2001. Rolling Stone included Steely Dan on their list of the 20 greatest duos of all time.

Members of Deputy Dan include:

Ron Sada- Guitar (past projects include – English Channel, South of James, David Lennon Band, Party Crashers, Pat Russell)

David Lennon- Lead Vocal (David Lennon Band, South of James)

Steve Wetzler- Bass (The Freds, Funhouse, Totally Random, Pat Russell)

Allen Burris- Sax/Flute/Percussion (A night with Amy Winehouse RVA, Kozy Cats, Soul Providers)

David Wilson- Keys (various session)

Gerald Hemphill- Drums/Percussion (Wild Heart, Kat Brigs, Conshafter, session player, including work with Bill Leverty (Firehouse) 

With Your Ticket, You Will:

• Gain entry at 6pm
• Taste delicious mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages
• Savor an expanded menu of smoked and some non-smoked cuisine from various regions of the U.S. and around the world.  Food selections will satisfy both meat lovers and vegetarians
• Enjoy an extraordinary silent and live Auction
   
• Enjoy complimentary coat check services
• Enjoy complimentary artisan water throughout the event.
• Enjoy using seating at tables and cocktail rounds located throughout the event space, although this is a walk-around style event.
• Enjoy a covered, designated smoking area conveniently located just outside the event space.

Important Information

• *All food tables will end tastings at 9:55 p.m., five minutes before the end of the event.  

• Only 21 years or older are permitted to enter the event, including the non-alcoholic beverage/smoked cuisine ticket.

• Smart casual or smart chic attire recommended.
• All inclusive.

Tentative 2025 Menu!  2026 Menu TBA

EAT unlimited hors d'oeuvres: extraordinary dishes prepared by local chefs…

Chipotle Coconut Shrimp and Grits
Platano en Tentacion: Caramelized Plantains in Sweet Rum Sauce
Mango Black Bean Salad topped with Tamarind Honey Glazed Smoked Lamb
Walkerswood Caribbean Seafood and Smoked Sausage Gumbo
Smoked Jerk Meatballs with Caribbean Slaw
Woodfire-baked Pizzas
Smoked Brisket/Sausage/Pickle Skewer
Pozole Ramen
Rib Tip Collard Greens
Smoked Blueberry Mini Kolache
Sichuan Tea Smoked Duck
Smoked Cilantro Fish Rolls
Sichuan Tofu with Bacon and Leeks
Dry-fried Smoked Broccoli and Cauliflower
Smoked Prime Rib/Tomahawk Rib
Smoked Baba Ghanoush
Salmon with Barrel-Aged Honey Miso Glaze
Smoked Feta Spanakopita with Barrel-Aged Whiskey Balsamic Glaze
Marinated King Trumpet Mushroom with Orange Bourbon Glaze
Smoked Brisket Chili
Ahi Tuna with Smoked Garlic Aioli
Smoked Whitefish Dip with Fresh Challah Bread
Smoked Peanut Soup
Smoked Pear Dessert with Vanilla Bean Labneh and Smoked Almond Brittle
Lexington Bourbon Cake
Applejack Cake
Meyer Lemon Cake
Rum Cake
Smoked Brisket Philly Cheesesteak
Smoked Pork Ribs with Cherry Bourbon BBQ sauce
and more...