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Loving on the Jose Garces Foundation Gala
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Since meeting chef Jose Garces at his performance theater restaurant opening last year at Volvér, I could tell he was a genuine, caring soul who shares an equal passion of culinary skills and giving back to the world. Industry friends and chef friends reaffirmed this opinion with always and only good things to say about him. Shortly thereafter, I learned more about the Garces Foundation and eventually arrived at the gala to shake his hand again. This is a chef worthy of recognition not only for his cuisine finesse but his large heart and warm smile. The Garces Foundation gala was tastefully done, spacious and…
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Behind the Scenes at The Fat Ham in Philadelphia, PA
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler I was recently assigned to cover The Fat Ham for Taste + Scene (read the full, delicious story here) and ended up showing up early (as usual) for photography purposes with plenty of time to spare. So what to do? Why take time, have a beer and talk to the staff and get to know everyone, of course. And how was I rewarded? I got to watch the team’s creative gears at work and create a new dish that fits perfectly in their sweet Southern style – chicken and dumplings. Enjoy the photo story!
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Runaround Sous is a Philadelphia Underground Supper Club
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler What exactly is an underground supper club you may ask? Delete any visions of the Catacombs of Paris (although that would be kind of awesome for Halloween) and envision a pimped out 4-story townhouse in Logan Circle, Philadelphia complete with a balcony overlooking the ever-changing colors of the Comcast building and the smell of marijuana drifting through the air (not our crew, a happy neighbor obviously). Now add two chefs, food, foodies and BYOB drinks (minus some Miller High Life pony bottles and dark n’ stormy floats) and you have a rough idea of what it entails. That and a $78 donation which helps cover…
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The 10 Real Reasons to Cross the Ben Franklin Bridge
Story by Cassie Hepler, submitted photos That stupid $5 toll returning from New Jersey is enough to deter any Jersey-hating Philadelphian from crossing the state line. But stay with me here – there are many actual bonafide reasons to cross that bridge and one more I just learned about last night! So here you go, the real reasons to cross the Ben Franklin Bridge. 1. Nunzio’s Collingswood, N.J. Since Nunzio’s is no longer in Philadelphia, they moved to a more spacious and less tax-invasive land of New Jersey where there may or may not be a high lesbian population. The best Italian I’ve ever had outside of Italy, hands down.…