Philadelphia’s renowned dining scene wouldn't exist without a steady pipeline of passionate, well-trained culinary talent. On Monday, April 27, the city will gather to celebrate and support that exact pipeline at the annual Philly Pheast benefit.
Hosted by the Culinary Careers Program (C-CAP) at Lilah, Michael Solomonov’s premier event venue in Fishtown, the evening promises a unique dining experience from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM. This year, the event will shine a spotlight on a local industry titan: Chef Lynn Buono, Founder of Feast Your Eyes Catering and Co-President of Les Dames d'Escoffier Philadelphia.
To honor Buono's legacy, Philly Pheast is doing what C-CAP does best—bridging the gap between seasoned professionals and eager students.
A Collaborative Culinary Experience
The heart of the Philly Pheast benefit is its family-style, multi-course dinner. Instead of a standard catered affair, the menu is actively prepared and presented by a team-up of Philadelphia’s top chefs working side-by-side with local high school students.
This year’s impressive collaborative lineup includes:
- Chef Chris Nguyen (Constellation Culinary Group) cooking alongside students from Mercy Career & Technical High School.
- Chefs April McGreger and Valerie Erwin (Pickle course by People’s Kitchen) collaborating with Saul High School’s Food Science Program.
- 12th Street Catering teaming up with students from A. Phillip Randolph Career & Technical High School.
- Anthony Lehman (Owner of Feast Your Eyes Catering) working with Thomas Edison High School.
- Josh Broder (Owner of Root to Fruit), led by alumni of Feast Your Eyes and Chef Lynn Buono.
The evening will kick off at 6:00 PM with a lively cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvres crafted by C-CAP alumni and current students. Guests will enjoy live music from a student-led quartet and an assortment of desserts provided by Les Dames d’Escoffier Philadelphia, along with a silent auction.
Impact Beyond the Plate
While the food is the main draw, the true highlight of the night is the scholarship ceremony. Following dinner, C-CAP students who have trained and competed throughout the year will be awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to attend some of the most prestigious culinary programs and universities across the country.
C-CAP, a national nonprofit co-chaired by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, connects over 23,000 students annually to opportunities in the hospitality industry. Right here in the Philadelphia region, the organization works tirelessly with 20 high schools across Camden, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, providing 1,600 students with culinary training, college scholarships, and career development.
By attending Philly Pheast, guests are directly investing in the diverse, vibrant future of the food sector. Tickets, sponsorships, and donation opportunities are available online for those looking to support the next generation of Philadelphia chefs.
