James Beard award winners Marc Vetri and Jeff Michaud and restaurateur Jeff Benjamin have just announced the star-studded chef list for 2014’s Great Chefs Event, unfolding for its ninth annual year on Tues., June 10, at Urban Outfitters HQ at the Navy Yard.
With tickets already on sale for the “it” food event of the year, we’re lining up the top five reasons you need to snag your tickets—stat—and join us at the exclusive summertime tasting.
Reason 1: You can mingle with top celebrity chefs.
The annual Great Chefs Event is most notable for its hand-picked, nationwide chef lineup. This year’s culinary roster is as impressive as the last, with Top Chef’s Tom Colicchio showing face next to Iron Chef Jose Garces and The Chew’s Michael Symon. Several acclaimed James Beard Award winners and chef celebutantes are signed on to attend too, including New Yorkers Michael Anthony of Gramercy Tavern and April Bloomfield of Breslin Bar & Dining Room, and Los Angeles’ Jon Shook of Animal and Son of a Gun.
Reason 2: It’s For Great Cause.
Ten years ago, Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin met Liz and Jay Scott, who were carrying on the work that their daughter Alex had started, to help find a cure for all kids with cancer with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The duo was moved by Alex’s story, and by Liz and Jay’s perseverance, that they continued to support their cause and eventually founded Vetri Foundation for Children in 2008, to give back in the area they know most about— healthy food and nutrition for Philadelphia’s youth. For 2014’s Great Chefs Event, the proceeds will benefit both Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Vetri Foundation for Children.
Reason 3: You’ll be taste-testing some of Philadelphia’s best restaurants.
If you’ve been itching to tap into the City of Brotherly Love’s culinary heavy-hitters, there’s no better a place to sample their delights than at this June 10th event. Vetri has rallied his chef neighbors to team up for the local cause, including notable city figures like R2L’s Daniel Stern, Zahav’s Michael Solomonov, Percy St. BBQ’s Erin O’Shea, Sbraga’s Kevin Sbraga, and Di Bruno Bros.’ Emilio Mignucci.
Reason 4: Many of the country’s best distilleries, breweries and wineries are there for your sipping pleasure.
In addition to fine food, a plethora of representatives from the best distilleries, wineries, craft breweries are joining the Great Chefs party, including local greats Ron Barchet & Bill Covaleski of Victory Brewing Company, Tom Kehoe of Yards Brewing Company, Carol Stoudt of Stoudt’s Brewery and Tom Peters of Monk’s Café. Additional booze-educated attendees flying to Philly for the event include Gary Fish of Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery, Tim Staehling of Los Angeles’ Hungry Cat and Greg Lindgren of San Francisco’s Rye.
Reason 5: Hello? After-party here we come.
If you thought attending the exclusive tasting event with the greats was enough, you may want to catch wind about the after-party. VIP ticket-holders and sponsors of the event will receive the official invite to the post-event party, which is scheduled to unfold at Vetri’s Alla Spina. The late night industry shindig shuts down the block and promises live entertainment, music, food, drinks, celebrity guests and a fun-filled atmosphere. Better yet, chef Adam Perry Lang is firing up the grill for soul-warming barbecue, with additional bites and sips provided by Vetri Family chefs and mixologists.
If You Go …
General admission tickets are $350 per person, with VIP tickets (including access to the after-party) pricing at $525 per person. To purchase tickets, visit greatchefsevent.org.
