A meat dish offered by Queens Bully, a participant in this year’s event
(Photo Credit: Justin-Shockley)
March 16, 2021 By Christina Santucci
A Queens-based non-profit will hold its annual Evening of Fine Food event virtually this year, but attendees will still be able to feast on cuisine from some of borough’s favorite eateries – just at home.
The Queens Center for Progress, which serves people with developmental disabilities, has arranged for ticket holders to have meals delivered directly to their homes – or participants can opt for a $50 voucher to redeem at a participating restaurant for up to six months after the event.
This year’s event, called An Evening of Fine Food: At Home Edition, is scheduled to take place Wednesday, March 24 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 pm. via Zoom. The online festivities will feature stand-up comedy, a performance by a magician and a singer performing Frank Sinatra favorites.
Throughout the evening, Bravo Sound will spin deejay music from Terrace on the Park, where the event is normally held. Meanwhile Le Selfie will run a Virtual Selfie Booth, and Long Island Picture Frame will be leading a silent auction.
“We want people to feel like they are there,” said QCP Director of Development Wendy P. Gennaro. She explained that the event will have Zoom rooms, where attendees can connect with other guests. “We are really excited.”
The event is a fundraiser for QCP, a Jamaica-based nonprofit that serves more than 1,200 people per year. The organization has more than 500 employees, three campuses and nine residences.
Tickets to the Evening of Fine Food cost $135.
Each ticket can be used for three meals and one dessert from Queens and nearby Long Island establishments.
Participating eateries include Aigner Chocolates, Arepalicious, Ben’s Kosher, Havana Central, La Casa de Julia, La Fondita, Marbella, MumsKitchens NYC, Papazzio, Philly Pretzel Factory Forest Hills, Queens Bully, Remy’s Italian, Shanghai You Garden and Veeray da Dhaba.
EatNom, a Long Island City-based food-delivery service, will make the deliveries to ticket holders.
During the event, QCP will honor two organizations that have helped feed people in need and frontline workers in Queens during the pandemic.
Honorees include Jonathan Forgash, who co-founded Queens Together, and Mark Boccia Sr. and Mark Boccia Jr., who started Food for the Fearless.
Queens Together partners with donors, volunteers, organizations, food pantries and local businesses to get meals and groceries to people in need. Meanwhile Food for the Fearless provides free meals for healthcare workers and first responders.
“It’s truly amazing what people have done in the last year to take care of others,” Gennaro said. “Especially since this is a food event, it was important to us to recognize people who have fed others.”
