Queens Centers for Progress' “Evening of Fine Food” Draws 600+

Queens Centers for Progress (QCP) brought together more than 600 people for the 28th annual “Evening of Fine Food” on February 27, an evening celebrating community and the value of giving.

The event at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, raised more than $160,000 to support the longtime organization’s programs and services, assisting more than 1,200 individuals with developmental disabilities to lead more independent lives.

Attending elected officials included New York City Council Member James Gennaro.

Participating restaurants included Bourbon Street, Austin’s Ale House and One Station Plaza, Havana Central, Marbella Restaurant & Catering, Schmidt's Candy, The Wine Room of Forest Hills, Neir’s Tavern, MumsKitchens NYC, 10-63 Meal LLC, Adrienne's, Arepalicious, Rincón Salvadoreño Restaurant, Aigner Chocolates, Althea's Tropical Delights LLC, Bevo’s Kitchen, Blueberry’s Bakery, Café Renis, Citizen Cider, Drinkology NYC, Fuzi Pasta Co. Glaze Donuts, Hijole! Tequila, Il Bacco NY, Julia's Kountry Kitchen, Kaieteur Restaurant, Kam Rai Thai, Khalil Biryani House, King David Bakery, La Vigna Restaurant and Bar, Little Chef Little Café, MadeFresh Organic, Makina Café, LLC, Marino's Supermarket, Max Bratwurst und Bier, Mayahuel, RECONNECT at Thomas Berry Place, Remy’s Italian Restaurant, Romilly Cidre, Rudy’s Bakery and Café, Sassy Sweet Vegan Treats, Simcha Palace, Stop & Shop, Taverna Kyclades, Trattoria 35, Veeray da Dhaba, and Vinny's Panini NYC.

The signature event was emceed for the second year in a row by PIX 11 Reporter Greg Mocker. The energy in the room was palpable as people networked, ran into old friends and made new friends while tasting all the great food and enjoying the Silent Auction, Casino play and taking photos at the Le Selfie Photo Booth.

“If you wanted a taste of Queens, then this was the place to be yesterday – the evening featured culinary delights that illustrate the diversity of our borough,” said QCP Executive Director Terri Ross. “And it was all for a good cause: because the funds that were raised allow us to keep our longtime mission alive so that all people can learn and that everyone – in spite of any developmental disability – can make meaningful choices about their lives.”

At the event, QCP honored two “Chefs of the Year,” people who have made an impact and a difference in the community: Frank J. Quatela, Owner and Principal Architect at Frank J. Quatela Architect, P.C., and Hersh K. Parekh, Esq., Deputy Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. In addition to being honored, the “Chefs” served their community in a different way — by cooking a family specialty!

“The 28th annual 'Evening of Fine Food' was a celebration of our borough's rich cultural diversity while supporting QCP’s vital mission,” said Hersh Parekh. “I am humbled to have been recognized and thank QCP for this honor, but more importantly, I strongly believe in the power of this event to allow QCP to continue to support the independence of individuals with developmental disabilities.”

“I am thrilled and grateful to have been chosen as a Chef of the Year for the Queens Centers for Progress Evening of Fine Food,” said Frank J. Quatela. “I am even more proud to support QCP in their mission to help those in need.”

QCP presented the Claire Shulman “Spirit of Community” Award to Lara Gregory, Esq., Queens Community Leader, QCP Board Member, and Principal Attorney at Lara Gregory and Associates.

"It was energizing to witness the combination of the diversity of Queens cuisine with service to the community," Lara Gregory said. "Service to the Queens community is what Queens Centers for Progress has been doing for the past 75 years, so it was an honor to have received their annual Claire Shulman Spirit of Community Award. Indeed, service to one another and our community is the universal love language that unites us all, regardless of food preference, mother language, religion, or ethnicity. I applaud QCP for their lifechanging work and for this honor."

“I’m always humbled by the turnout and success of this event- people enjoy sampling the most amazing dishes – and then tell us they can’t wait to visit these establishments after, so this event not only supports QCP but also our borough’s hospitality sector. It’s always a win-win, for the people we serve, the restaurants that participate, and the attendees who have a great time,” said QCP Director of Development Wendy Gennaro. “We were excited to welcome our vendors, sponsors, and guests back for another delectable year!”

This year’s sponsors were: Veronica Tsang (Diamond Sponsor); Long Island Employee Benefits Group (Golden Delight); D & F Development Group, Gerald J. Caliendo, Architects, Con Edison, Merritt Engineering, New Terminal One, Flagstar Bank, Inc., Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Resorts World NYC and Tarek M. Zeid PE LLC Consulting Engineer (Silver Spatula); 5 Boro Realty NYS R.E. Broker Nina Sabag, Delta Airlines, Frank J. Quatela Architect, P.C., LaGuardia Gateway Partners, Mr. T Carting, QPTV, The Rotary Club of Flushing, and TotalCareRX (Bronze Grill); Maspeth Federal Savings, DH2 Chauffeured Transportation, Ray-Block Stationery and Pythia Public (Casino); as well as BDO, JFK Millenium Partners, SafeTech USA LTD, TD Bank and Zara Realty (Entertainment); Koeppel Auto Group, Law Office of Donna Furey, Raymond Chan Architect, P.C. and Royal Waste Services (Selfie Booth); and Connective Strategies and MJM+Artchitects (Special).

Media/Special Sponsors were Queens Economic Development Corporation, NYC Hospitality Association, BQE Media/Queens Ledger, Queens Gazette, Schneps Media, QPTV, Metropolitan Airport News, and Yelp.

About Queens Centers for Progress (QCP)
Queens Centers for Progress is committed to providing person-centered services and supports to children and adults who have developmental disabilities. The goal of these services and supports is to promote independence, community involvement, and quality of life. Learn more:
www.queenscp.org.
www.facebook.com/QueensCP
https://www.linkedin.com/company/queenscp
www.twitter.com/QueensCP