Philly Chit Chat

Forgive me I am behind in my writings, no I have had an event to write about they just got very back up, and for this one particularly I had to sit on it as I never know if a publication in the Tri-state is going to pick up a photo from an event I shot or not, so I don’t like to blog about it til I know for sure. This is the case for The First Annual Golden Spoon Event. It was held at Cescaphe Ballroom a few weeks back.

John DeBella was on-hand to host Comfort Food Fest presented by WMGK. The annual event will challenge Philadelphia’s top chefs to recreate their favorite comfort foods while adding their expertise and creative flair to every day products found on the shelves of your local grocery store (think Manwich and Rice-A-Roni).

The winner of Comfort Food Fest will receive the coveted ‘John DeBella Golden Spoon,’ but first he or she must please the palettes of the judges including special guests Beth D’Addono, national food and travel writer, Tracy Davidson, host of NBC 10’s All That and More, and Brian Freedman, regional food and lifestyle journalist.

Guests attending the Comfort Food Fest can treat their taste buds to samplings of the chef’s reinvented dishes and enjoy complimentary spirit tastings.
Chef Brian Duffy of Kildare’s served a delicious tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich As soon as I had a taste of Chef Dan Marcantuno from Brasserie Perrier’s Chilli I said you are going to win

The idea for Comfort Food Fest was born after WMGK Morning Man John DeBella learned that Lacroix Executive Chef Matthew Levin’s favorite meal to cook for himself is “quick mac & cheese with tuna.” While top chefs are always trying to outdo each other with high end recipes, DeBella wondered, “What if we took top chefs in the city and had them cook their favorite comfort food?” With that, planning began for the 1st Annual Comfort Food Fest. the folks were enjoying all the delicious food
I envied the judges who didn’t have to wait in line for the grubChef David Wiederholt from Oceanaire Seafood Room made a salmon pad thai with Roma NoodlesChef Dan Marcantuno from Brasserie Perrier recieves the Golden Spoon Award from John DeBella of WMGK; He made chilli with cornbread

we headed to the 32 Degree Lounge to catch America Ferrera rally the Philly’s voter registration contigent. I arrived late as I was feeling a tad under the weather, and almost didn’t bother going, but in the end made the right decision because I was the only snapper to get full length shots of America as I was standing on the staircase and shot through the railing. Everyone else was standing too close to her and couldn’t get the shot. That is the money shot, and it’s not here, but hopefully will be picked up by a glossy near year.
(Update: a shot I took of her earlier in the day was picked up by In Style Mag Online:
http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20185961_20428787,00.html)
Then it was on to “Winter’s a Drag” gala at XIX to benefit “City of Hope”; Recently someone mentioned to me that I would go to the opening of an envelope, and you know it it gave a little publicity to a charity, or a place that I love, there’s no doubt about it. So here goes:Your hosts Dick and Bruce with sponser, http://www.queertimes.com/ James DugganIt was a nice turnout despite the Easter eveSalotta Tea spins for usAmy Winehouse was there, actually this is Martha Graham a performance artist who was very good. She’s being manhandled by two guys associated with the Pennsylvania Ballet Bruce, one of the hostess’ http://nightlifegay.blogspot.com/ and a friend
One of these folks is a Ron Paul supporter, so that makes him scary on a couple levels

I was impressed that people really got into the spirit and wore their Easter best. I hope this becomes an annual event. The Bellevue needs a little glamour and I so miss the Society Gala’s; Ok I know that some folks from those parties would just be rolling their eyes, but really it’s about fun, it’s charity and it’s about rockin’ glamour

Matt gets his wings (look for PR Matt to be throwing down a few exciting things in the future) 6 degrees of separation, Dara, Naomi and Ross know at least 4 people that I know. It’s a small town after all.Everyone was welcome, and everyone of all walks showed up. Martha Graham was a hoot, entertaining the folks with Aerosmith and Pink FloydI felt like I was doing the Time Warp The most excellent YUbr PR maven Sarah Doheny and her partner in crime Bruce.
Good friends Thom, Rich and SusanLucky me I actually met some of these guys this past year at some of the envelope openings. The gangs all here, but my guy Mike. Thanks Susan for taking the photo. I actually look thin here. If you see me eating anything but my Nutrisystem, slap it out of my hands!The prettiest and the diva winners – Marchesa and Lisa.

Please, please, please throw this again. It was really a nice event and nice to see so many people participating.

To kick off Spring I’ve already ditched my winter jacket (brr it was cold today) and have hung out on my friends Jody & Paul’s deck in South Jersey. Their son Cole wants to be a fireman when he grows up.
He’s going to enjoy a free Rita’s Water Ice today and you can to…A Philadelphia-born springtime tradition, the annual Rita’s giveaway is held from noon to 9 p.m. at more than 500 Rita’s locations in 17 states. Guests who visit their neighborhood Rita’s will receive one free, regular-sized, 10 oz. cup of Italian Ice to commemorate the beginning of spring.

I don’t know if you had a chance to make it over to the Classic Rock Art Show, but you’re running out of time as it ends on Saturday March 22. This year they seem to have more art for sale than ever. I was there for the VIP Party and saw some of Philly’s great R&R DJ’s from WMGK
They even have a section to buy nicely framed photos of your favorite rocker and a “copy” of an original document that they had signed. For example on the right is Madonna and a check she wrote to a massage therapist in 1986.
Below is Grammy® Award winner, author and producer Denny Somach explaining to WMGK’s Cyndy Drue that his friend Phil Ceccola took this photo of Bruce Springsteen in 1973, peering out of a bathroom asking if anyone had any soap? (I was excited to meet Cyndy Drue as I am a big fan of her greeting cards http://www.cyndydrue.com/philadelphia.html ; before my paparazzi life I too sold photo greeting cards and Cyndy and I would often be on the same rack.

The 8th annual WMGK Classic Rock Art Show is at the Shops at Liberty Place (16th and Chestnut) until March 22, 2008. The works of John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, and Bob Dylan will be on display, as well as photos of The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, The Grateful Dead, and for purchase. Proceeds benefit the Philadelphia Soul Moving Experience Program.

I love McGillin’s and often eat lunch there, but I knew it was going to be extra special on St. Patrick’s Day

With a bigs thumbs up from a party goer
the night was kicked off in the right direction
I got there about 5PM to a sea of green

laughter (and spilt beer)
more laughterAnd heard one of my favorite songs:
Where it began I cant begin to knowin But then I know its growin strong

Was in the spring And spring became the summer Whod have believed youd come alongTouching hands, reaching out Touching me, touching you Oh, sweet Caroline Good times never seem so good
So GOOD, So GOOD,Who’d believe you’d come along
Warm, touchin warm Reachin out Touchin me Touchin you
Sweet Caroline Good times never seemed so good Ive been inclined To believe they never would
And then my dad’s favorite song: (The Unicorn Song, [ok it’s really Danny Boy but that is entirely too depressing]) A long time ago, when the Earth was green There was more kinds of animals than you’ve ever seen They’d run around free while the Earth was being born And the loveliest of all was the unicorn
There was green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you’re born The loveliest of all was the unicorn The Lord seen some sinning and it gave Him pain And He says, “Stand back, I’m going to make it rain” He says, “Hey Noah, I’ll tell you what to do Build me a floating zoo, and take some of those…
Green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you’re born Don’t you forget My unicorns

Old Noah was there to answer the call He finished up making the ark just as the rain started to fall

Hey Lord,
I’ve got green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, but Lord, I’m so forlorn I just can’t find no unicorns”

And Noah looked out through the driving rain Them unicorns were hiding, playing silly games Kicking and splashing while the rain was falling Oh, them silly unicorns
Now you might think this is the ending to the song, But I’ll have to tell you friends that in fact you’re wrong You see, Unicorns are magical, so when the rain started pouring, They grew themselves some wings and they took to soaring.
You’ll see green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees But if you’re looking for the unicorns, don’t be forlorn, The second star to the right and straight on until morning. Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’ You know that I have from the start So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart (Ok that’s enough of the song lyrics unless you want me to start on Madonna)
Under the watchful eye of officer TrautzVlad wants to know why he’s not in the pictureLICK ME I’M IRISH her sticker says Thumbs Up!! This girl is the spittin image of my friend katie http://www.nirmada.com/
I love this photo, some guy is trying to stick a sticker on her that says “Spank Me” and she doesn’t want anything to do with it!

hmm no comment
I was going for that posed, yet candid shot on the left

Hello next time you Union League guys aren’t allowed in without a little green on

HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY HANGOVER

You’re probably wondering where your photo is, well if you go the link below, look for your photo right click on it, and save to your computer compliments of McGillin’s Olde Ale House. We look forward to seeing you again real soon. And stop by Philly Chit Chat too!!
http://hughephotos.smugmug.com/gallery/4537612_zdtLh#267251389

I noticed when I was hanging out on my ladder waiting for the celebrities to make their way down the red carpet that Pat reached into her bag to grab a few baseballs. Since I am very familar with the autograzzi (shout out to Philly’s Team Derek!) I knew exactly what they were for I thought who cares about Paul Giamatti, I want to get Tom Hanks signing Pat’s balls
so I made it over there, running into gossip maven Dan Gross and saying I think Pat’s gonna get those balls signed and wouldn’t that make a great picture. I waited, and waited for the moment she asked him to sign the balls
And after he walked away I could see they were signed; I asked her how did it happen. She told me he signed them as he spoke. He just took them out of her hand and signed them. She told me they were for her husband and went over the story with me; I was going to ask her if it was alright if the photos and story could be published, but she disappeared. And then later I had second thoughts about going through with any publication because I thought, maybe Pat would get in trouble for doing this on the job or something. So I didn’t persue it. I know, I know I am never gonna make it in this business because I am way too sensitive about my pap shots and peoples feelings. But thank God their are people who don’t care about those things, because lo and behold you can catch the story, without pictures, at http://www.phillygossip.com/ see below:
Dan Gross reports: CBS 3’s Pat Ciarrocchi who covered the red carpet arrivals, made certain to get a baseball signed by Hanks and Giamatti for her husband, David Fineman, a baseball freak, she said. What’s their baseball connection? Giamatti’s late father was former MLB commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti, and Hanks starred in “A League of Their Own.” Several months back, Ciarrocchi got “The Natural” star Robert Redford to sign a baseball while interviewing him when he was in town. Ciarrocchi bought the ball at the Constitution Center’s gift shop for $9.95. The center is hosting the “Baseball as America” exhibit through May 11. The “John Adams” series begins at 8 p.m. Sunday. We haven’t seen it; Daily News TV writer Ellen Gray will weigh in Friday.