It happens every year. Monday is the day for the  state's hospitality and tourism professionals to break some serious bread with Maryland lawmakers at the 22nd at annual Taste of Maryland Legislative Reception.

Organized by the Restaurant Association of Maryland , the reception gives RAM members the chance to press the flesh with the people who will be yaying and naying on the legislation that might impact their industry.

Langermann's, Shapiro's Cafe and Miss Shirley's are among the two dozen restaurants participating in the event, which will also include wines donated by the Maryland Wineries Association. Plus an open bar.

The reception will be preceded by an afternoon of industry seminars. They sound interesting. Jason Cohen of the Reisterstown-based Rockit Digital Marketing will talk about how restaurants can leverage social media, and we know we'd like to hear Randy Marriner of Victoria Gastro Pub speak on "Marketing and Branding Your Restaurant."

But the headliner is Melvin Thompson, RAM's senior vice president of government affairs, who will be giving and update and preview of the 2012 session. Thompson says that RAM "plans to spend significant time advocating the industry's position on labor and alcohol issues."