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| The Great Chefs Event 2012 |
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The Great Chefs Event took place on June 12, 2012, at the Urban Outfitter Headquarters at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, PA. This was the seventh year for the annual event hosted by Chef Marc Vetri and his
Vetri Foundation for Children to benefit
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, an organization dedicated to pediatric cancer research. This year's sold-out show raised over a million dollars including proceeds from a silent auction, it featured over 50 celebrity chefs and mixologists from the United States, Canada, and Italy, and was attended by 1200 Philadelphia area foodies.
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| (L to R) Chef Clark Frasier and Chef Mark Gaier |
Back in the 80s when Chef Clark Frasier and Chef Mark Gaier couldn't find high quality produce for their restaurant
Arrows, they didn't change their menu - they changed the industry by growing their own fruit and vegetables and spearheading the farm-to-table movement in New England. At this year's Great Chefs Event they served their House Cured Prosciutto with Buratta, Stone Fruit Compote and Arrows Garden Greens. Beginning on July 25, Chefs Clark and Mark will be competing on
Bravo’s Top Chef Masters (Season 4).
Chef Takashi Yagihashi, shown in the center of the photo montage at the top of this post, will be one of their competitors.
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| Chef Katsuya Fukushima working with liquid nitrogen |
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| Chef Fukushima's Lemon Dessert |
Chef Katsuya Fukushima is a culinary rock star - his food is cutting edge, innovative and playful - there is joy and artistry in everything he makes. Last year he wowed the crowd with his cotton candy, scallop and lime concoction; this year he froze a lemon meringue pie, smashed it with a hammer, and then re-assembled it as an elegant dessert.
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| (L to R) Crew Member, Francesco Longhi, Chef Antonio Rocchetti |
In 2003 Chef Antonio Rocchetti and Sommelier Francesco Longhi opened Ristorante LoRo in Bergamo, Italy (the name comes from the first two letters of their last names), and in 2011 they received a Michelin star. At the Great Chefs Event they served a pastry with hazelnut and crème chantilly called
Millefoglie (a thousand leaves).
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| (L to R) Mike Jerrick and Marc Summers |
Fox 29's Mike Jerrick was the emcee for the evening; TV host and producer Marc Summers has also emceed the event and is on the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation's board of directors.
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| Barbara Vetri |
The Great Chefs Event draws a fashionable crowd - the best dressed was Barbara Vetri, Chef Marc Vetri's mother.
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| Sharon Pinkenson and Joe Weiss |
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One of Philly's most fabulous power couples, Greater Philadelphia Film Office Executive Director Sharon Pinkenson and Joe Weiss.
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| Mike Patterson of the Philadelphia Eagles |
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson has a background in the food industry. According to
his Eagles bio his father owned the Touch of Class restaurant in Sacramento, California, his mother worked in a hospital kitchen, and his first job was as a cook at the Los Alamitos Army base. He plans to open a restaurant when his playing career is over.
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| (L to R) Collin Keefe and A.D. Amorosi enjoying the Foie Gras Double Down |
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One of the most talked about foods at the Great Chefs Event was the KFC-inspired Foie Gras Double Down from Chef Frédéric Morin of
Joe Beef in Montreal, Canada. In this photo writers Collin Keefe (
Grub Street Philadelphia) and A.D. Amorosi (
Philadelphia City Paper, Philadelphia Inquirer, Blurt Magazine) marvel over the sandwich composed of foie gras, bacon and cheese.
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| (L to R) Restaurateur Larry Cohen and Chef Marc Vetri |
Last but obviously not least, the man who started it all seven years ago,
Chef Marc Vetri, owner of the eponomously named restaurant, Vetri, as well as Alla Spina, Amis and Osteria. Chef Marc is also an author (
Rustic Italian Food, II Viaggio Di Vetri: A Culinary Journey) and an
accomplished musician. In the photo above Chef Marc poses with restaurateur Larry Cohen of
GuestCounts Hospitality (Cuba Libre, Square Peg).
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Photo montage at top of post:
Top row, L to R: Chef Jonathon Sawyer, Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Chef Jonathan Waxman
Middle Row, L to R: Chef April Bloomfield, Chef Takashi Yagihashi, Chef Michael Solomonov
Bottom Row, L to R: Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey, Chef Gina Depalma, Chefs Matt Molina and Nancy Silverton
All photos by Glamorosi except Larry Cohen and Marc Vetri photo by A.D. Amorosi
For more posts about food, tea, fashion, gardening and events:
Glamorosi.blogspot.com
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