4 Philadelphia Chefs Invited To Beard House

Contact: Irene Levy Baker
(215) 782-2258
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FOUR PHILADELPHIA CHEFS INVITED TO PREPARE BANQUET AT THE JAMES BEARD HOUSE

PHILADELPHIA CHINATOWN (September 1, 2004) Four area chefs have been invited to prepare a special Chinese Moon Festival Banquet at the James Beard House on Tuesday, September 28. Chef Joseph Poon, chef/owner of Joseph Poon Asian Fusion Restaurant in Philadelphia Chinatown; Chef Vincent Alberici, executive chef, The Marker, Adam's Mark Hotel; Chef Kiong Banh, executive chef, Twenty Manning; and Chef Iovonnie Negron, chef, Wyndham Suites Valley Forge have collaborated to create an Asian/Italian/Puerto Rican -Fusion menu.

The menu, which includes cuisine from Hong Kong (Poon's hometown) Italy (Alberici's specialty); Vietnam (Banh's native country) and Puerto Rico (Negron's heritage), features five appetizers, four entrees and dessert all paired with wine. Highlights include Baked Hong Kong Lobster Crhme Franche with Ginger & Chinese Parsley Potato Moon Cake in Tangy Chili Tomato Essence and Shanghai Baby Greens paired with Lungarotti Pinot Grigio 2003; Lemongrass and Ginger Duck Consommi- Duck and Shiitake Roulade, Puffed Rice paired with Chateau St. Jean Gewurztraminer 2002 and Banana Leaf Wrapped Grilled Tuna Loin with Yucca Cake, Jalapeno, Lime and Soy Glaze matched with Chateau St. Jean Gewurztraminer 2002.

The Moon Cake Festival, celebrated on September 28 in 2004, corresponds to harvest festivals in Western cultures and symbolizes the harmony between man and nature. Traditionally, families celebrate the holiday by hosting reunions, eating a delicacy called moon cake, watching the full moon and singing moon poems. Lovers typically eat, drink and moon watch together. Even couples that live far apart make an effort to moon watch at the same hour to feel closer to one another. Legend has it that the old man on the moon decides upon future marriage partners making it a particularly important holiday for those in love, or wishing to be. The Moon Cake Festival is believed to bring romance and happiness.

The meal will be served at The James Beard House, 167 W. 12th Street, New York, NY (in the historic section of Greenwich Village). Guests have the opportunity to meet the chefs and see them in action, attend the reception and tour the historic James Beard House, enjoy the chef's tasting menu with matching wines and beverages. The reception begins at 7 p.m. followed by dinner at 8 p.m. Tickets are $100 for members and $125 for non-members including gratuity. The James Beard Foundation is a non-for-profit organization founded in 1985. For tickets, please call 1-800-36-BEARD from Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

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