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PHILADELPHIA/SOUTH JERSEY

August 12, 2008, Riesling v. Rosé @ Chef Tony Lawrence's

Hello Everyone,

 

I hope your summer has gone well. We are working on some interesting programming to get us into the third quarter, beginning with a wonderful program conceived, designed and executed by chapter member, chef extraordinare Tony "Winechef" Lawrence, the owner of A CHEF FOR YOU, LLC, based in Philadelphia, Pa., a lifestyle wine and food public relations and consulting company. Tony also he works globally as a food and wine pairing specialist/event planner with major wineries, importers, distributors and fine wine shops. For over twenty-seven years, he has been trained as a chef, sommelier, a certified wine judge, freelance writer, lecturer, and a food and wine educator.

 

Tony started to develop his skills at twelve years of age in the restaurants and the vineyards of Maryland. His formal culinary training began in vocational school, than summers in Germany, learning the foods and wines of Europe. He has a BS degree in Hotel, Restaurant Management from Widener University in Pennsylvania and is a Pro-chef CIA graduate from Greystone, in Napa, CA.

 

Tony was the first African-American chef and sommelier at two highly regarded country clubs in Philadelphia, PA, Germantown Cricket Club and Merion Golf Club. He spent three years as the executive chef and sommelier with the NFL Philadelphia Eagles, and six years on the movie sets catering to the stars.

 

Lawrence likes to think “outside of the box” when it comes to wine and food. He is always busy educating the trade and consumers on the art and technique of food and wine pairing. He is a passionate professional who tastes about seven hundred wines and about two hundred and fifty pairings a month. This keeps him on top of his game and why his cooking demos are fun and memorable to the last pairing.

 

He also makes a living composing detailed wine descriptions and creative tasting menus for retail shops, wineries, restaurants, and charity events. . In addition, to being an international wine judge, Lawrence is a member and lecturer with the Society Of Wine Educators, the American Wine Society, the German Wine Society and ZAP-Zinfandels Advocate and Producers. Tony has been featured in Black Enterprise magazine and other national publications.

 

Tony is a serious wine collector with a three thousand+ -bottle cellar, he is all about the wine as well as the food. A true entertainer who ensures you will never want to miss the “Winechef’s” parties! As he did last year, Tony has graciously opened his home to us for a program we are calling "Global Food and Wine Pairings," a food and wine evening of

5 summer global courses paired side by side with 2 of summers most interesting wines: one is a varietal and the other is a style, RIESLING VS ROSÉ CHALLENGE, with a Red thrown in. Chef Lawrence has requested that anyone attending please advise of any food allergies when making your reservation. Tony's programs are perennial favorites - please reserve at your earliest convenience.

 

DATE: Tuesday, August 12, 2008

TIME: 7:30 p.m. Sharp!

PLACE: Lawrence Residence

239 East High Street

Germantown, PA 19144

COST: Couple members and single members and one guest, $60.00 per person; non-members and additional guests, $67.50 per person.

RESERVATIONS: Via e-mail to bcs@jersey.net, or call and leave a message at 856-228-7330 by Friday, August 8th. You may pay by check payable to the German Wine Society or in cash at the door, but you MUST reserve in advance - no walk-ins. You may check for space availability at any time, but we cannot guarantee space will be available after the cutoff date.

 

DIRECTIONS: From Center City Philadelphia - Take Route 76 to Lincoln Drive North (only direction you can go for it starts there) Make a right at the first light which is Rittenhouse Street. Rittenhouse becomes a one way street at Wayne Ave. Make a left at Wayne Ave then a right at Harvey St. (the first light that you come to after turning onto Wayne).

Harvey will take you all the way to Germantown Ave. (Germantown High School will be directly in front of you). Make a dog leg turn (short left then right) onto High Street (High Street runs between First United Methodist Church on the left and Germantown High on the right). The house is in the second block of High Street, on the left (across from the High Street Church of God). Tony's address is 239 East High St (several houses down on the left).

 

If you get lost on the way, call 856-952-2144 for assistance, and be sure to leave a return number if you are forwarded to voicemail. I look forward to seeing you for a wonderful summer evening of creative food preparation and wine pairings.

 

Beth Sheligo

Chapter Chairperson

 

All society members and guests are reminded that alcohol consumption can lead to intoxication, and therefore, Society members and their guests are expected to drink in moderation at Society events. It is advisable to provide designated drivers or other modes of transit where available, or mostly to taste rather than consume alcohol when such drivers or alternative means of transportation are not available.