A Taste of Philadelphia

This month's third annual culinary event benefits GayFest

“We’ve really outdone ourselves,” says Rich Rubin, producing artistic director of Quince Productions. Rubin is getting ready for the third annual “A Taste of Philadelphia” (March 18th) to benefit GayFest, Quince’s popular LGBT theatre festival every August.

For just $25, tasters will have the opportunity to sample flavors from around the world in one locations at the Artists’ House Gallery in Old City. Rubin says this year’s participating restaurants – Garces Trading Company, Tria, Kanella, Opa, Fish, Leliz Turkish Cuisine, Tokio Global, Bierstude, Marabella Meatball Co. and Cake & the Beanstalk – will be touting new dishes and plating up old favorites.

The event also features a grand raffle with prizes that include gift cards to Twenty Manning, Audrey Claire, Tabu and Cafe Twelve, as well as a gift basket from Starbucks and a collection of cookbooks paired with ingredients like vanilla beans from Tahiti, nutmeg from Grenada and rum from Martinique.

Attendees will also have a chance to win theatre tickets to many popular shows this season at the Wilma, Philadelphia Theatre Company and other companies, as well as a haircut by Charlie, house cleaning by Hygieia, city tours, massages, gym and tanning passes, a book basket and free admission to Longwood Gardens when it’s in full bloom this season.

Karen Gross, who entertained audiences at Delaware Valley Legacy Fund’s TOY event last year, is also giving away tickets to her sold-out Oscar Hammerstein show at the composer’s historic home, while Daniel Student is offering free monologue coaching.

“Even the art on the wall will have a foodie theme,” says Rubin, “as the event will take place in front of Artists’ House March exhibit ‘Beyond the Ordinary Still Life'” as pianist Brian David Ratcliffe plays throughout the evening (5 – 8 p.m.).

“A Taste of Philadelphia,” March 18, 5 – 8 p.m., Artists’ House Gallery, 57 N. Second St., 215-627-1088.