Philadelphia, PA
- Chris Jazz Café is throwing a “pay-what-you-want” Tacos & Tequila fundraising event along with Ben Miller and Cristina Martinez owners of South Philly Barbacoa, on Thursday, January 17th from 6 to 10 p.m. It's going to be a night of tacos, tequila together with Latin jazz, with around a half dozen hometown chefs volunteering their unique culinary skills, all for a worthwhile cause.
S. Philly Barbacoa & Chris’ Jazz Café Collaborate to Help Undocumented Workers in Philly on Thursday, January 17th
The plight of undocumented workers is an issue close to Chris’s Jazz Cafes Cheft Jhonny’s heart, as he is close friends with both Ben and Cristina. Initially, it was actually intended to be just the two establishments, however, when the word got out, a few local chefs decided to join the cause. It’s turning into a beautiful night of tasty food and fantastic live music by way of Conjunto — a Philadelphia based band which performs tunes from the Pre-Revolutionary Cuba era.
“When my chef, Jhonny Rincon, proposed the concept of a collaboration dinner together with South Philly Barbacoa to increase awareness concerning the plight of undocumented workers, I thought it was a noble idea,” said Chris’ Jazz Café’s Chef/Owner Mark DeNinno. “
“We hope to use the platform of food in our social culture to bring awareness and ultimately policy change for the millions of hardworking undocumented immigrants who work our country's food system and great restaurants. We cannot continue to stay silent about the reality we see in our kitchens every day, and we are grateful for chefs who are willing to step up to the challenge of working towards a better more sustainable restaurant industry," said Miller.
Donations for the food will go to P.A.U.W.R. (Popular Alliance for Undocumented Workers' Rights), which gives assistance to the undocumented community and acknowledges their contributions to the city and national dining scene.
“We are thankful for the collaboration with the team at Chris' to raise money to advocate for the rights of the working undocumented immigrants in this city's professional kitchens,” said Martinez and Miller. Martinez, a Mexican immigrant, is undocumented. Her pit-braised lamb tacos have reached cult-like status, catapulting the tiny South Philly shop into the national culinary spotlight. Bon Appetit magazine named it one of the three best tacos in the nation! The taqueria has been featured in the Netflix hit shows Chef’s Table and Ugly Delicious. “
The dinner will showcase small plates together with specialized tequila cocktails (Patron is a sponsor that is also making a donation to P.A.U.W.R). “We’ll be moving the food out from the kitchen area on trays so that our attendees can easily try out everything and also eat as much as they want. The event is going to be an open house, which means diners may come and go,” said DeNinno.
The event will include the following fare, Garnacha Oaxaqueña with beef picada, crema, chapulines salsa and queso fresco from Chefs Jhonny Rincon & Mark DeNinno of Chris’ Jazz Café.
Chefs Cristina Martinez and Ben Miller are going to be providing Tacos Dorados (crispy fried lamb tacos).
Various other contributors include Sous Chef Kurt Evans, South; Katie Briggs, Eclectic Domestic; Han Chiang, Han Dynasty; Chef Ari Miller, Musi BYOB; Catzie Vilayphonh, Laos in the House; Jena Harris, 1149 Cooperative. They’ll be preparing a wide array of dishes, some which will be vegetarian and vegan fare.
Tequila Cocktails ($12):
- The kernel of Truth – Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, elote shrub, lime
- Captain’s Margarita - Patron Silver, Ancho Reyes Verde Poblano Liqueur, pineapple juice, lime
- Chapulines - Patron Reposado, roasted cricket bitters, avocado oil, Bianco vermouth
- Last of the Oaxacans - Patron Anejo, pioncillo syrup, mole bitters
- I Left My Heart in Mexico - Patron XO, Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur, hot chocolate, cinnamon
Entry is just $10, which in turn will go to the band. Contributions towards the dinner are pay-what-you-want. Chris’ day to day menu will not be presented that evening. Entrance tickets are readily available at the door or on the web at https://www-chrisjazzcafe-com.seatengine.com/events/28010
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