30 of Philly’s Best Chefs Will Be at The 11th Annual GARCES Benefit Featuring Live Music, Cocktails, Auctions & More
Who doesn’t love an event that has amazing food, drinks, and music? Well, it’s even sweeter when the event is for a great cause. This is exactly what’s going down on Friday May 33rd at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia.
The GARCES Foundation announced the return of their annual GARCES Benefit hosted by none other than award-winning Chef Jose Garces himself. Tickets for the annual fundraiser are now on sale at garcesfoundation.ejoinme.org/annualbenefit. The annual benefit promises an unforgettable night celebrating 30+ chefs and independent local restaurants, alongside an array of specialty cocktails, live music and an auction boasting live & silent items. Essentially it’s a night for those looking for a culinary adventure.
Proceeds from the benefit support the GARCES Foundation’s mission to provide Philadelphia’s immigrant population the healthcare, education, and support they need to improve their lives and empower this community to reach its potential. 800 guests will enjoy unlimited bites and sips while they mix, mingle and raise funds to provide food, medical care and educational services to Philadelphia’s immigrant community. In its 11th year, the annual event will showcase culinary delights from three dozen of the Greater Philadelphia Area’s top chefs and restaurants, including Cantina La Martina, Enswell, Forysthia, Gabriella’s Vietnam, Hi-Lo Taco, Irwin’s, Jezabel’s, La Chingonita, Pod, Rouge, Vetri Cucina and more; in addition to cuisine from GARCES Group’s signature restaurants Amada, Buena Onda, The Olde Bar, Village Whiskey and Volver. Drinks will be provided courtesy of Casamigos and DARCO Spirits including American Harvest Organic Vodka and Beach Whiskey.
Tickets begin at $175/person for General Admission (access to all food, drink, activations and entertainment from 6:30-9:30pm), $225/person for General Admission + Exclusive Early Access (access to all food, drink, activations and entertainment from 5:30-9:30pm), and $295/person for VIP Early Access & Exclusive After Party Access (access to all food, drink activations and entertainment from 5:30-9:30pm plus additional exclusive VIP access to the benefit’s official After Party on the Loews’ 33rd floor from 9:00pm-11:00pm). “It’s an honor to bring Philadelphia’s finest chefs and restaurants together year after year in support of the GARCES Foundation and the important work it does within our city,” says Chef Jose Garces. “I am so thankful and touched by the continued outpouring of support that the restaurant community and Philadelphia’s staunch culinary enthusiasts have shown to the GARCES Foundation over the past 10+ years.”
While guests mix, mingle, sample, and sip, they will enjoy live music and dancing by Experience from 5:30-9:30pm and After Party guests will enjoy the musical stylings of resident Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Flyers DJ, DJ Hollywood. Festivities will also include a wine pull, restaurant gift card giveaway, photo booths and a live/silent auction.
“Our annual benefit is more than just another culinary event; the funds raised are essential to meeting the tremendous need for education, healthcare and additional lines of programming that Philadelphia’s immigrant community relies on,” said Robin Morris, Executive Director at the
GARCES Foundation. “It is not just a celebration of our achievements; each attendee’s contribution directly ensures our mission flourishes, and our impact resonates far beyond a single evening.”
Exclusive to this year in celebration of Cinco de Mayo weekend, select chefs & restaurants will participate in a People’s Choice Taco Competition, serving up their favorite taco and asking event attendees to vote on their favorite one. Special prizes for the winner to be announced. Keeping
to theme, the GARCES Foundation will also host a pop-up mariachi performance onsite. “Since the start, the Garces Foundation has focused on ensuring that our immigrant communities, particularly those working in the hospitality industry, have access to the support they need in order
to thrive in their communities and their lives. We started the organization following the death of one of my cooks from thyroid cancer. A life was lost due to a lack of access to medical care. We realized that it was vitally important to ensure that Philadelphia’s underserved immigrant community has access to health and educational services,” added Chef Garces.
The Garces Foundation provides these services to the immigrant community, through community health days, English language classes targeted toward the restaurant industry, and most recently, a GED program and citizenship workshops.
