This Week: Philly Cooks

Some of our favorite chefs are participating in Philly Cooks this week (Feb. 22 starting at 6:30 p.m.) at the 33rd Street Armory on Drexel’s campus in University City. For the foodies among us, it’s a great chance to taste test delicacies from some of the freshest culinary talents from restaurants throughout the region. Plus, a portion of proceeds goes to the Ronald McDonald House.

Courtesy of Evan Turney

Some of the chefs participating on Wednesday include our favorites like Evan Turney from Mercato (yep, he’s brother to Marcie – and the ladies love that pinup ceiling at Varga Bar, right?); Michael Schulson from Sampan (a very popular Midtown Village/Gayborhood outpost); Reinaldo Alfanso from Alma de Cuba; Brad Spence from Amis; Robert Aikens from The Dandelion; Steven Forte from The Farmer’s Cabinet (a brilliant new addition to 12th and Walnut); Adriana King from Jones (one of our all-time favorite brunch spots); Andrew Brown from Opa; and John Strain from Valanni (it may not technically be a gay restaurant, but most nights it sure seems like it).

In addition to all the good eats, the event will also showcase wines from Clos Du Bois, Estancia, Franciscan Estate and the Robert Mondavi Private Collection.

Not into wine? Don’t worry. Stella Artois will be at the event to do a beer tasting, too. Even non-drinkers can have a little fun thanks to espresso courtesy of ABCD Coffee (these guys have been around since 1946 – and for good reason).

Guests will even be treated to a little extra swank thanks to Mercedes-Benz (fresh from fashion week in New York) and Royal Bank of Canada – both sponsors have created luxe lounges where those of us with full bellies can kick back in between tastings and sips.

And as with every year, the chefs will go head to head for best entree, appetizer, dessert and dish of the year, which will be presented by none other than Adam Joseph and Alicia Vitarelli of 6 ABC.

But since we’re far from the food experts around here, we’ll leave the commentary to Art Etchells on our sister site Foobooz. Art will be sharing his top picks. We can’t wait to hear about his favorite plates and the inside scoop from the evening.

Philly Cooks, February 22, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., 33rd Street Armory at Drexel University, 3205 Lancaster Avenue, 215-940-4605.