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WMGK’S Comfort Food Contest

Last night was John DiBella’s 12th Annual Comfort Food Fest Contest. I’ve attended about 8 of them, including the first 5 years when they used to give out a large spoon. I’m glad to see it’s continued with great success, and was honored they asked me to be a judge. Being judge cuts back on the photos I could take but I did get a few. Let’s see who was there and more importantly who won at last night’s WMGK’s competition at The Fillmore Philadelphia

John DiBella and Lisa DiBella

Thanks to Kory Aversa on the assist for this photo of the Judges for the 12th Annual Comfort Food Contest. Judges Vince Hutach, Danya Henniger, Editor at Billy Penn and HughE Dillon, Philly Chit Chat.

Thanks to all the restaurants that participated including: Craftsman Row Saloon created waffle stuffed with chicken, Jones – Chicken Pot Pie, Revolution Chop House – Rock Shrimp Chowder, Tradesmans – Fois Gras Ice Cream, Catina Feliz – Empanada, Alma De Cuba with their Cubano Hand Pie, 33rd Street Hospitality with their Clams Casino Chowder, Stina Pizzeria made Lasagna, Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar with their potato leek piergogie and Stove & Tap

Danya Henniger and I deconstructing Tradesmans delicious Fois Gras Ice Cream and Cinnamon bun

The folks who brought you Bercy, now bring you Stove & Tap. Their delicious comfort food was Shrimp & Grits and it was really good. I hope they have it on their menu when they open soon.


Mike Sultan owner of 33rd Street Hospitality made a delicious Clams Casino Chowder. Everything I love in Comfort Food, and perfect for a Lenten meal.

Winner Tradesmans

With their Fois Gras Ice Cream and Cinnamon Bun. For more photos from the event head on over to WMGK’s site

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Floral | The Flower Show Gala’s Best Dressed


The 2019 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show theme Flower Power!
A celebration of the Summer of Love!!

The 2019 Philadelphia Flower Show opened on Friday, March 1, 2019, with a black-tie gala. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and a cocktail party under a canopy of beautiful fauna and surrounded by 10,000 acres of flowers.

The Flower Show Gala is one of my favorites as the guests tend to wear a lot of bright colors, and fun floral inspired outfits. Here are some of my favorites.

Kayla Kohlenberg, Molly Kingdom, Lance Jones, and Jenna Kara
  • Siblings Anna and David Rosenblatt
  • Peter and Megan Irwin
The Flower Show runs through March 10. Remember to hashtag your photos on Social Media with #flowershow Next Week I will pick out the best and run them on PhillyChitChat
Tara and Bonnie Lomax were headed out the door with their coats on, and were nice enough to take them off so I could see the fabulous floral.
  • Pretty in Pink
  • RJ and Stacey Gross
  • Pretty in Pink

Best of Show – Jane Pepper, former executive director and president of the PHS

To see more photos from the 2019 Philadelphia Flower Show head on over to CBSPhilly, PhillyVoice, and Philly Style Magazine. If you still don’t see your photo it might be in the May issue of Philly Mag in print.

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Celebrities Dining in Philly

One of my favorite writers Julia Hatmaker from PennLive did an interview on moi and it was published last week about celebrities dining in town. The article is a fantastic chronicle of all things fabulous on celebrity sightings around town and which restaurants they like to dine at, as well as where you might be able to see one. Thanks so much to my many reader and tipsters who help me out over the years!! Celebrities Love These Restaurants!!

  • Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth after dining at Capital Grille
  • Justin Beiber and Selena Gomez grab a drink at Monster Smoothie in Shops of Liberty Place. The night before they dined at Vetri’s
Paul Rudd leaving Parc restaurant on Rittenhouse Square

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom leaving Vedge restuarant

Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman photographed going out to dinner at Tashan, in Philly, after filming their new thriller Paranoia


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Philly Style Social Datebook Party Photos

Last week I went to the launch of the Philly Style Magazine’s 2nd Philly Style Social Datebook party at the new, stylish The Fitler Club at 2400 Market Street. I had an earlier event that evening so I only had about 20 minutes to mingle.


Thanks to PSM and Andre Flewellen for the following photos.
  • Kristin Detterline, Editor Philly Style Magazine, Marni Manko, Editor of the Charity Datebook, John Collabelli, Publisher
    of Philly Style Magazine, and David Gutstadt – Founder & CEO – Fitler Club

Live music by ECE

BMW i8 on display courtesy of BMW of Devon at the Philly Style Magazine Party
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Eric Roberts, Snow Job & Kevin Bacon in Town

I hope you’re out getting your bread and eggs as snowmaggeden is upon us.

On Twitter fir means for until they get an edit button

Actor, Philadelphia native Kevin Bacon was in town over the weekend to attend 45th Masterman’s School reunion, which was held at Han Dynasty in Old City pictured here Han Chiang, owner with Harry Spivak, Bryce’s Catering, one of the co-organizers of the event. 50 people came, including Jim Friedlich who’s wife Melissa Friedlich was one of the organizers. Jessica Molly Brown, principal of Masterman now came as a couple of our teachers from the 60s and 70s, Mr. Melton and Mr. Cohen. A few who had rsvp’d but couldn’t make it were Michael Coard (attorney and activist), Judy Fiest Moore (running for City Council, a VP at Garces) We had chicken potstickers, Dan Dan noodles, Szechuan cucumbers, salt and peppers wings, sauteed snow pea shoots, salt and pepper wild mushrooms, veggie spring rolls, scallion pancakes, pork buns and a few more delicious dishes.

Eric Roberts in Philly on the set of The Arrangement, here he’s with Susan Helfrich, co-owner of Breaking Glass Pictures.
Filmed on location throughout Philadelphia (including sets in University City and King of Prussia) by local father/son filmmakers Andrew Hunsicker (producer) and Jake Hunsicker (director), The Arrangement is a supernatural thriller following two detectives as they attempt to solve a string of murders. But, as they get closer to the truth, they begin to discover the culprit may be something other than human. The film stars cinema legend Eric Roberts, who graced Philadelphia this weekend to film intricate scenes, alongside local talent including Aralyn Anderson (Netflixâ��s Maniac), Deborah Twiss, Brian Anthony Wilson, Jennifer M. Kay, Danny Donnelly, Beverly Gunn, and Allison Kessler. Fresh off filming of the locally produced horror film Epidemic, Andrew Hunsicker also plays a supporting role in the film, while guiding his son Jake on his first directing venture. A modern-day retelling of Faust, The Arrangementâ��s cast and crew is also entirely comprised of Philadelphia talent aside from Mr. Roberts, a truly fitting testament to the local film scene and the city’s dedication to cinema. The Arrangement is set to complete filming this year.

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Chloe Hosts A Pooch Party for Man’s Best Friends

On February 17, 2019, Chloe Finley celebrated her third birthday with a howling fundraiser at The Ballroom at the Ben.

Chloe with her mama Michelle Finley sitting pretty in designer Jimmy DeLaurentis’s ‘Amalfi’ posh pet pad.

The party raised money for Chordoma, a rare cancer, occurring in approximately 1 per million individuals each year.

Guests enjoyed a cocktail party and sit down dinner, before dancing and prancing to the tunes of Jellyroll by BVT

Tish, Stephanie, Michelle listen as Tom Finley talks about the importance of family, and the fight to find a cure for Chordoma

B
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Philly Style Party, Rupert Grint, Advertise With Us

Philly Style Party, Rupert Grint and Chit Chat About Last Night

Happy Thursday, we’re almost there. Last night I covered a wonderful event in Manayunk at the Starfinder Foundation. It’s an organization who’s mission is “Using soccer to help Philadelphia’s underserved youth grow, learn, and succeed, both on and off the field. #soccerforsocialchange.”

It was a lot of fun, even when the soccer ball hit my camera at 100 mph. I’ll feel you you sports photographers, lol. Hope I don’t get a black eye. (Every Saturday I will have a blog entry with all the links to the various events I’ve attended the week before, so look for it.) Afterwards I headed to The Fitler Club to catch the last half hour of the Philly Style Magazine’s 2019 Datebook launch. It was so much fun, I didn’t take any photos with my camera but grabbed a few shots off of Instagram and posted below. It was quite a party, so much fun and people were DRESSED to the nines. The Filter Club impressed me so much more last night, then when I saw it earlier this month.

The Garden event space at the Fitler Club was quite nice, and intimate. It’s outside but private. Another nice thing, that BMW from BMW of Devon.
Rupert Grint is in town filming the M Night Shylaman’s new Apple TV Series which is untitled at the moment, and has been spotted all over town during his off hours. Last week he scored a few bullseyes at Bury The Hatchet Philadelphia Axe Throwing (1719 Washington Ave 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19146 ). Saturday he grabbed a bite to eat at Center City’s Middle Child. He’s also been spotted at Terrain in Glen Mills for dinner. Yesterday the TV series filmed on location at the 2200 block of Spruce Street, which they do about once a month. Most of the time they’re filming in the custom movie studio in Garnett Valley, where they have replicated the street.
Congrats again to Chris Cucci and Michelle Conron who got hitched last week. To kick off their honeymoon they headed to sunny, warm California, with a first stop at Lisa Vanderpump’s Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills. Lisa was there too. Now that’s a way to kick off a memorable honeymoon
Alissa Frederico
  • Kristin Detterline
Happy Birthday to my good friend Sheila Hess. I am so blessed to have you as my friend. You keep me on the straight and narrow, you inspire me, you are Philly’s biggest cheerleader and you are so full of love for everyone you meet. I love you, Happy Birthday friend.
  • Instagram Stats for the last 7 days
  • Twitter Stats for January

Recently Feedly.com named Philly Chit Chat as the 2nd most popular lifestyle blog in Philadelphia. Feedly is an aggregate service where people subscribe to blogs and websites. They calculate how many people subscribe to my blog, and social media to determine popularity. #1 was Visit Philly

Philly Chit Chat blog is now accepting Advertisements. Earlier this month I told you how I upgraded the back end of my blog, and now it’s much easier for me to add advertisements. When you advertise with us, your business or event will also be featured on my social media. Philly Chit Chat receives over 55ks visitors a month, and my social media receives nearly a 1 million views a month. We offer reasonable rates. The advertisements that I currently have, Allan Domb Real Estate, DelFrisco’s, Replica and Parx Casino have all advertised with me for over 5 years. Email me HughE@PhillyChitChat.com for the rates
Thanks HughE

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Resilience Dinner With Reshma Saujani and Yolanda Hadid

On February 19, 2019, guests gathered at The National Museum of American Jewish History for dinner and a conversation to benefit The Childhood Resilience Foundation. The event was hosted by Garrett Snider, Yolanda Hadid, Angela Duckworth, Meredith Seigle and Robert Mongeluzzi with special guest Reshma Saujani author of Brave, Not Perfect.

Garrett Snider,
Founder and Board Member at Childhood Resilience Foundation, Reshma Saujani, author of Girls Who Code, and Karin Copeland, Create X Change and Karin Copeland Presents

The following day Technical.ly, Generocity and Karin Copeland presented a special event with Reshma Saujani, as well at the Sheraton Society Hill. Here are photos and that story on Philly Style Mag.

Mayor Jim Kenney, Reilly Jacobs, Yolanda Hadid, Reshma Saujani, Garrett Snider and Kevin Steele
Dinner by 12th Street Catering
Joanne Beaver and Taylor Townes
Leslie Slingsby, Executive Director of Mission Kids and Pat Ciarrocchi, TV personality

Another great event in the name of protecting kids which Garrett Snider is involved in is the 11th Annual Mission Possible Gala! coming up on Friday, April 12, 2019

6:00pm to 10:00pm The Fitler Club – Philadelphia, PA



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Let Them Eat Cake 2019 Was Another Sweet Success

Let Them Eat Cake Was Another Sweet Success raising money for Variety

Bakeries compete for the best looking, and best tasting cakes in a competition, raising money for Variety, a charity for challenged people.

More thank 750 cake loving guests enjoyed delicious and unique cake while simultaneously helping a great cause? Variety. The popular foodie event, Let Them Eat Cake, celebrating a sweet 16 years , this year’s event had 18 competing cakes, all following the theme of Under the Sea!

Ann Catania of Ten Pennies was a sponsor of Let Them Eat Cake

With my new updated website, you can click on a photo to make it larger to check out a few of the cakes created.

Marilyn Johnson, Philly Grub judging the cakes. She was not playing, if your colors were off, details were missed or your cake wasn’t delicious she was going to give you helpful hints.
Sydney Manko and Cake Judge Marni Manko, Philly Style Magazine

Jill Rizen and her husband Andy Hennig have just opened a K9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel in Cherry Hill. Now you can go on vacation and not worry about Fido, he’ll be in good hands.

The Judges for this years Let Them Eat Cake Competition included One Curly Fry, Marilyn Johnson, Cakes by Maryellen, Marilyn Russell, Marni Manko, Collette Peters, Victoria Andrehcchio and Eric Boerner

Photographer Laura Eaton and her daughter, mini me.

Gina Colon and Victoria Andreacchio, VSCupCakery, who was wondering why no one created a cake flavored a salty, Carmel taste since the theme was under the sea?


Heather Rothman, the Director of Programs for Variety Works says;
“The success of this program has been phenomenal, but we couldn’t do it without the support of events like Let Them Eat Cake. Not only does this event have amazing and delicious cake, but all proceeds go to helping us grow this program and help more people.”

Marley Gates, Ruth Levitt Scott, Cupcakes by Ruth and Tra Thomas.

Always a fan favorite, the Loews Hotel’s Executive Pastry Chef Amanda Kaewvichien. In a few short weeks Amanda will be creating a spread of her deliciousness at the Loew’s Bank & Bourbon’s 5th annual Bourbon Bash, I can’t believe it’s been 5 years already. Guests at the Bash will also enjoy all the menu items the popular restaurant has to offer, like a nice slice of my favorite – The Cowboy Steak, with mushrooms, yum. Tickets are still available, and proceeds go to a great charity –
DonorsChoose.org, an organization that empowers public school teachers from across the country to request much-needed materials and experiences for their students. INFO HERE #PCCinTheHouse

At the time of publishing, I didn’t have the winning cake info. When it’s provided I will update this post. Have an awesome day and I hope to see you at the Flower Show next week, and don’t forget about the Saturday night Dance Party “Flowers after Hours!!”

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Fitler Club On The Verge

Sorry about my missed posts last week, I’m still getting used to my new website, where EFS Solutions upgraded the back end of the site. They did a great job, I just didn’t have time to read the instructions since I’m tweeting all the time, Mike says. He’s right – LOL. OK the Oscars are over and we can all calm down. There’s no way Gaga and Cooper will become a couple, but it was fun speculating about it all weekend. Congrats to our Lady for her win, let’s check out another winner…

About 2 weeks ago I attended a media/influencer first look at the Fitler Club, a private, membership club opening soon at 2400 Market Street. The event was to unveil four event spaces available for rent at the Fitler Club: Pre-Function, The Garden, The Trophy Room and The Ballroom.

When guests enter the event space area there’s a coat check when you first walk in the door, and then there’s an “L” shaped hallway which is used for cocktail parties before heading into the ballroom for the main event.

The 10,000 sq. ft. of flexible high-tech event space to host and cater everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations, every birthday & mitzvah in between.  The space can hold up to 400 people depending on the event, with or without a dance floor. The space has a very industrial feel, be mindful with who you will be hiring to do your lighting.

  • Guests got a taste of the catering options from celebrity chef Kevin Sbraga as well as have the opportunity to speak with Founder and CEO David Gudstadt about the best-in-class offerings from the new event space in Philadelphia.
     

The Trophy Room is perfect for a smaller event, or the after party for your event. As a Fitler Square member,when not in use it’s part of your membership as well. Think Cigar Room at the Union League, this is where you’re gonna want to hang out.

Check out the Fitler Club Events Page for more on the rooms available, and prices. I’m looking forward to shooting events at the new versatile event space. For more on the private club check out this recent Philly.com article.