Such a great event for an awesome cause. The Garces Foundation announces the Third Annual Garces Foundation Gala, to be held on Wednesday, October 29 at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The Garces Foundation’s goal is to see that Philadelphia’s vibrant and growing immigrant community has access to the care and education they need so that they may actively contribute their talents to making this city truly world-class. The Foundation focuses on impactful and creative responses to specific issues that plague this community.

“The Garces Foundation was created in 2012 as a way to share our passion for helping others and to create programming that will allow us to serve as guardians of Philadelphia’s immigrant community,” says Chef Jose Garces, one of the nation’s most successful and prolific restaurateurs.  “We are proud to contribute to the health and well-being of Philadelphia’s immigrants.” 

The theme of the Gala is Think Local/Give Local. Chef Garces has handpicked a group of local chefs to deliver an unforgettable epicurean experience, which will highlight Philadelphia’s unique culinary talent in the Kimmel Center’s rooftop garden and plaza.  Each dish will highlight locally sourced ingredients. Throughout the evening guests will enjoy cocktails made with local spirits, local beer, locally created décor elements and more.

The evening will be divided into two parts:   Chef Tasting Dinner and Main Event Chef  Experience.  The Chef Tasting Dinner will be held in the Kimmel Center’s Dorrance H. Hamilton Rooftop Garden. From 5:30 p.m.-6:15 p.m. VIPs will enjoy a private cocktail reception with the chefs on Tier 2 of the Kimmel Center before heading upstairs to the rooftop Hamilton Garden to enjoy a three course family style seated meal by Jose Garces, Eli Kulp, Rich Landau, Kevin Sbraga, Peter Serpico and Greg Vernick.  Chef Tasting Dinner seating is limited to 200 people and is only available to sponsors and their guests.

General Admission to the Gala opens at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $200 each. Guests will enjoy tastes of local dishes by Garces Group Chefs including David Conn (Tinto), Kyle Baddorf (Garces Trading Company), Adam Delosso of Garces Events,  Maria Schmidt (Amada), Jose Olmeda (Rosa Blanca) and a Volver experience by Natalie Maronski.  The gala also features chefs Jon Cichon (Lacroix), Jason Cichonski (Ela, The Gaslight), Nicholas Elmi (Laurel),  Chris Kearse (Will BYOB), Josh Lawler, (The Farm and the Fisherman) Adam Leonti (Vetri), Jeremy McMillan (Talula’s Garden), Jeff Michaud (Osteria), Masaharu Morimoto and Ben Dayag (Morimoto),

Brett Naylor (Oyster House), Jeremy Nolen (Brauhaus Schmitz), Chris Paulikas (coZara), Konstantinos Pitsillides (Kanella), Ben Puchowitz (Cheu Noodle Bar), Chip Roman (Blackfish, The Treemont), Scott Schroeder (South Philly Taproom, American Sardine Bar), Brad Spence (Amis), Tim Spinner (La Calaca Feliz, Cantina Feliz, Taqueria Feliz), Marc Vetri (Vetri Family), Townsend Wentz (Townsend),  Hiroyuki Zama Tanaka (Zama) and Peter Woolsey (Bistrot La Minette, La Peg). The sponsors will join the rest of the guests downstairs at 8:30 p.m. for dessert, cocktails, dancing to the Hip Philly band, and a silent auction. Alicia Vitarelli of 6ABC and Darrell Martin of Hip Philly will emcee the event.  Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased at www.garcesfoundation.org/gala or via check c/o Trinity Busch: Garces Foundation, 212 Race Street, Suite #1A, Philadelphia, PA 19106.   

In 2012, the Garces Foundation was founded as a way to help others among Philadelphia’s immigrant community. The foundation raises funds to provide this community with medical, educational, and nutritional programming. The goal is for them to take advantage of these resources so that they may actively contribute their talents to making this city truly world-class. In 2013, the Garces Foundation served over 495 people in the community.