Come in for treats like dark chocolate cherry scones, foie gras with peanut butter and cherry jelly tea sandwiches, lychee jelly cream puffs, tea (of course), and a flute of champagne.

The area's women-owned businesses span industries — think Sheila Johnson of the Salamander hospitality group.

Presented by Kwame Onwuachi, chef, restaurateur and author, in collaboration with Sheila Johnson’s Salamander Collection and Food & Wine, the multi-day event crosses culinary boundaries and combines thought-provoking panel discussions, topical cooking demonstrations, inspiring recreational activities, daily “family” meals and vibrant evening parties.

Chef Kwame Onwuachi believes one key thing: “If a dish has a story, then it has a soul.” As an award-winning chef, author, producer, and restauranteur who recently played in the NBA All-Stars game and was named “the Most Important Chef in America” by the San Francisco Chronicle, Onwuachi seeks the soul in everything he does, whether it is serving as executive producer for Food & Wine, spearheading his annual “The Family Reunion” gathering, or developing exciting recipes for his restaurants.

A luxury spa, they feature integrative and regionalized treatments.

Where to stay: Salamander Washington DC (formerly the Mandarin Oriental), between the National Mall and The Wharf, is a short walk from the Tidal Basin.

Chef Kwame Onwuachi is looking to the stars as he plans to return to Washington this spring. The James Beard Award-winning chef’s new Afro-Caribbean restaurant, Dogon, will live inside the Salamander D.C. hotel near the Wharf and is inspired by Benjamin Banneker, the Black cartographer, almanac writer and mathematician who helped survey the city of D.C. in the late 18th century.

Spring is lovely in the nation’s capital, and the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival from March 20 to April 14 makes it a truly special time.

Where to find Filipino fare, waterfront seafood, South American dishes, and more