The Vetri Community Partnership is hosting its first-ever Eat to Empower Dinner Series and Food Festival on Saturday, April 21. The dinner series will feature special culinary offerings at six private homes throughout the local area, where two chefs at each home — one local chef and one national chef — will prepare exquisite dishes as the lucky diners sip wine and take part in unforgettable auction bidding at each home. The second portion of the event is the Food Festival, which will unfold at La Colombe Coffee Roasters in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, from 9 p.m.–midnight.
Both events will benefit the Vetri Community Partnership, an organization which empowers children and families to lead healthy lives through fresh food, hands-on experiences and education. Although the dinner series is sold out, tickets for the Food Festival are currently on sale; general admission tickets are $75 per person and include food offerings, open bar and music.
I had the opportunity to interview Chef Marc Vetri, one of Philadelphia’s top culinary professionals, an accomplished restaurateur and co-founder of Vetri Community Partnership, to find out more about the organization and all that awaits those who attend these two fabulous fundraising events.
PA Eats: How did the concept of the “Eat to Empower Dinner Series & Food Festival” arise?
Marc Vetri: It’s been 10 years since we founded Vetri Community Partnership. We want people to come and celebrate with us and help us raise funds that will allow us to grow. We had always done a shared event with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, but we felt it was time to begin our own event and really highlight the work we do with bringing nutrition education to so many young people.
How were the chefs and vendors chosen for the upcoming fundraisers on April 21?
For the Dinner Series, I reached out to chefs who have always been advocates for healthy eating, school food and, just in general, chefs who give back. I wanted to have some chefs here who are not from the city so the people dining get to meet and talk to some other chefs.
For the Food Festival, we went with participants who we think are doing cool things in Philly and [who are] supportive of our work. It’s a great mix of old and new friends of Vetri Community Partnership.
What can people expect at the first annual “Eat to Empower Dinner Series & Food Festival”?
The Dinner Series and the Food Festival will be different events. The Dinner Series takes place in an intimate setting, while the Food Festival will be a big celebration. I think that attendees of both events will come away with a better sense of the work we’re doing through Vetri Community Partnership and, hopefully, inspiration to get more involved with us as volunteers or donors.
How has the program evolved through the years, and what is in the future for Vetri Community Partnership?
Vetri Community Partnership started as Vetri Foundation for Children and most of what we did at first was fundraise and give money to organizations that we cared about (mostly for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation). In 2010, we developed the Eatiquette lunch program which serves healthy, made-from-scratch lunches at schools in vulnerable neighborhoods.
We also added cooking and nutrition education programs so we could reach children and families after school or in their communities. We now have My Daughter’s Kitchen, an after-school cooking club, Vetri Cooking Lab, a curriculum-based cooking and nutrition program, and the Mobile Teaching Kitchen, a converted truck bringing hands-on cooking demonstrations to communities.
Our programs are active in more than 70 sites in the Philadelphia area, serving more than 7,000 students. With spiraling rates of obesity and diabetes, we want to do our part to build a healthier Philadelphia.
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How will the proceeds be used to further the mission of Vetri Community Partnership?
The need for nutrition education is great in Philadelphia. All of the funds will be directed to our four programs so we can serve more children and their families and build a healthier community.
How can our readers become involved with Vetri Community Partnership and help to further its goals?
We have a great need for volunteers to help run our programs and help teach our children about nutrition and healthy eating habits. We also need financial support to bring our programs to more communities, schools, families and children.
On April 21, you can help the Vetri Community Partnership raise money to support its extraordinary community programs by attending the inaugural Eat to Empower Food Festival. Some of the featured food vendors of the evening will include Big Gay Ice Cream, Cheu Noodle Bar, Mike’s BBQ, Pizzeria Vetri, and Poi Dog. Throughout the night, guests will sip drinks courtesy of Bluecoat American Gin, Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Yard’s Brewing Co., to name just a few of the beverage vendors planning to be on hand during this special evening.
As for entertainment, Chill Moody and DJ Hank McCoy will keep the party going throughout the night, and original art created live by Saeed Briscoe will present a feast for the eyes.
Purchase your tickets today and be a part of the first-ever Eat to Empower event to benefit Vetri Community Partnership.
- Marc Vetri portrait: Steve Legato
- All other photos: Vetri Community Partnership
