The best of Philadelphia’s restaurants were represented at the 8th Annual PAWS Chef’s Dinner. Celebrity Chefs showcased their culinary talents in a fundraiser supporting the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Guest wined & dined on a beutiful Monday night at Philadelphia’s Union League. They were able to experience a one of a kind opportunity to dine in specially designed “pods/tables” for 12 people to enjoy an exclusive dinner with a celebrity chef from one of Philadelphia’s top restaurants. Celebrities were even in attendence, in fact, I even directed former Eagle Vince Papale to the bar. I guess I’m used to working events, people just always seem to ask me for directions!
The 2011 event was an incredible, sold-out success, raising more than $230,000 for efforts to save Philadelphia’s homeless animals. This year over 40 Nationally Renowned Chefs’,including Kevin Sbraga (Top Chef Winner), Jean-Marie Lacroix (Brûlée Catering), Guillermo Pernot (Cuba Libre), David Boyle (Davio’s), Matthew Levin (Square Peg), Douglas Rodriguez (Alma de Cuba), Chris Lee (Huntingdon Social),Mike Isabella (Graffiato) and Tom Pizzica (Food Network Star). To see a full list of participating chefs and sponsors click here.
“This is the most exciting event of the year! Food, wine, music and fundraising for a great cause. This is our biggest year ever with more than 50 restaurants participating and 500+ guests attending. The Chefs’ Dinner funds our annual capital campaign; this year with proceeds helping to open our second Adoption Center in the Northeast section of the city before the end of 2012. The additional location will directly benefit the homeless, surrendered and abandoned animals of Philadelphia by giving them an additional outlet to find their forever homes. The support of the chef community and our generous sponsors is humbling and greatly appreciated. As we say at PAWS, ‘They Won’t Make It Without You.’ Thank you to everyone who makes this event and PAWS’ mission possible,” said Dana Spain, Founder and President of PAWS.
As you can see from my pictures below the designers went above & beyond with the table designs. Each table was more stunning than the next! What a great event for such a great cause that is near and dear to my heart. As a volunteer for PAWS myself I strongly encourage you to visit their website, volunteer, or even foster an animal.
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About PAWS:
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless, abandoned, and unwanted animals. PAWS is Philadelphia’s largest rescue organization and only no-kill shelter, and is working to make the city a place in which every healthy and treatable pet is guaranteed a home. Through its adoption locations, special events, and foster care network, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals each year. For more information visit: http://www.phillypaws.org/default.asp
