For one night only – Tuesday, February 28 – hundreds of people will come together for the hottest event during the coldest time of the year – the Queens Centers for Progress’ 27th annual “Evening of Fine Food” at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens.
The in-person benefit will raise funds to support the longtime organization’s programs and services, assisting more than 1,200 individuals with developmental disabilities to lead more independent lives. QCP will honor three “Chefs of the Year,” people who have made an impact and a difference in the community: Frank Wu, President, Queens College; Brett Swanson, Community Affairs & Social Impact, Grubhub; and will recognize the leadership team at Stop & Shop. In addition to being honored, the “Chefs” will serve their community in a different way — by cooking a family specialty!
QCP also will present the Claire Shulman Spirit of Community Award to Detective Tanya Duhaney, Community Affairs Bureau, NYPD South.
“For more than 70 years, QCP has been helping adults and children to live their best lives,” said QCP Executive Director Terri Ross. “Core to our mission is the belief that all people can learn and that everyone – in spite of any developmental disability – can make meaningful choices about their lives.”
Tickets for QCP’s 2023 “Evening of Fine Food” are $135 per person. The event is presented from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Tickets and further details are available HERE.
The event, which has been held for more than two and a half decades, this year returns to a fully in-person celebration after presenting last year’s festivities both in-person and via Zoom (and with home delivery of meals) amid the pandemic.
The festivities will include an exceptional and engaging dining experience featuring culinary delicacies from the finest restaurants and beverage purveyors in the area. As guests mingle, they can sample gourmet foods, and enjoy the variety of beverages offered. They also can enjoy the smooth sounds of Jim Altamore, play Blackjack and Roulette at the Casino, plus guests can participate in the silent auction and take “selfies” in a Le Selfie photo booth.
“We are so excited to come together in person for an exciting ‘Evening of Fine Food’!” said QCP Director of Development Wendy Gennaro. “We are looking to outdo ourselves again this year and break another fundraising record! We are extremely grateful to our extraordinary Board of Directors, our many generous restaurants, our sponsors, and everyone who is ready to get out and have a good time for a great cause!”
Honoree and “Chef of the Year” Brett Swanson said, “I am so grateful to be chosen as a Chef of the Year and to support the mission of Queens Centers for Progress! Your work has changed the lives of so many, and I am incredibly proud to be aligned with such an amazing group! Cheers to many more years to come. Bon appetit!”
Added honoree and “Chef of the Year” Frank Wu, “I am as excited to be as chef for the QCP Evening of Fine Food as I am to live in the world’s borough where every culture is represented by its cuisine.”
“Stop & Shop is thrilled to be recognized by Queens Centers for Progress and proud to employ hundreds of their clients,” said Stefanie Shuman, External Communications Manager for Stop & Shop. “Since we serve the larger Queens community every day at our ten area stores, serving the QCP community the Evening of Fine Foods is right up our alley.”
Sponsors to date are: Veronica Tsang (Diamond Sponsor), as well as Flushing Rotary Charitable Trust, Gerald Caliendo Architects, Raymond Chan Architects, Resorts World NYC, Grub Hub, Law Office of Donna Furey, Long Island Employee Benefits group, and Mutual of America.
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