Courtesy Queens Center for Progress
MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Queens Centers for Progress (QCP) is gearing up for a festive celebration of community and culinary excellence at its 29th Annual “Evening of Fine Food,” set to take place on Tuesday, February 25, at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. This highly anticipated event will bring together more than 700 guests for a night of gourmet tastings, mingling, and fundraising—all to support QCP’s mission of empowering individuals with developmental disabilities.
QCP has been serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for 75 years. Founded in 1950, its mission is to help people live independent, fulfilling, and enriching lives through various supports and services. These services focus on fostering independence, inclusion, and active participation in the community. QCP’s work is dedicated to ensuring that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are able to live full lives, engage with their surroundings, and integrate into the broader community.
The Evening of Fine Food is one of the longest-running food-tasting events in Queens, now in its 29th year. It is a significant annual fundraiser for QCP, and it plays a key role in supporting the organization’s mission. The event features an impressive array of Queens restaurants, local breweries, and other food and beverage vendors who showcase their signature dishes and drinks. The event is described as a “festival of eating and drinking” that gives guests the opportunity to sample the best of what Queens has to offer in terms of food and drink.
Courtesy Dominick Totino
“Our Evening of Fine Food brings together the heart and flavors of Queens, showcasing dishes that reflect our community’s diversity during QCP’s 75th anniversary,” said QCP Executive Director Terri Ross. “Beyond the delicious food, it’s inspiring to know that every ticket purchased directly supports our programs, helping individuals with developmental disabilities pursue fuller, more independent lives. We’re proud to bring people together for a meaningful cause that strengthens our borough.”
The event will honor two individuals with the prestigious “Chefs of the Year” award for their contributions to the community: Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo, EdD, President and CEO of Vaughn College, and Uzoamaka N. Okoye, Chief of Staff at The New Terminal One at JFK Airport. The honorees will not only be recognized for their leadership but will also serve up a family specialty dish, allowing attendees to taste a piece of their personal culinary heritage.
Additionally, QCP will present the Claire Shulman “Spirit of Community” Award to Rachel Kellner, the owner of Aigner Chocolates. Kellner, who has made significant contributions to the Queens community, is being honored for her ongoing support of local businesses and her commitment to giving back to the neighborhood.
QCP Director of Development Wendy Gennaro elaborated on how the event has grown substantially over the years. What started as a small gathering with around 250 attendees and a handful of restaurants has now expanded to welcome over 700 guests, with nearly 50 food vendors. In addition to the food tastings, the event now features a casino, a silent auction, and raffles, with prizes such as airline tickets donated by JetBlue. The growth of the event parallels the expansion of QCP’s services and its reach within the community. Over the years, the event has become a popular fixture of the Queens social calendar, and it provides an important opportunity for residents to come together and network, while also supporting a worthy cause.
“The evening of fine food is a food tasting, and it’s one of the longest running food tastings in Queens, if not all of New York City,” Gennaro said. “This is our 29th year, and what it does is we bring restaurants from all over Queens, and some from other boroughs and even Long Island, but mostly Queens residents and Queens restaurants.”
One of the key reasons for the event’s success is its ability to bring together a wide cross-section of people, including business leaders, community members, and local food enthusiasts. The partnership with Yelp also helps bring in a diverse group of attendees, ensuring that the event is accessible and appealing to all parts of the community. The evening’s casual yet upscale atmosphere, combined with the vibrant food and drink offerings, ensures that it remains a highly anticipated event every year.
Some restaurants have participated since the very first event, including Bourbon Street, Austin’s Ale House, and Marbella Restaurant. Over the years, the food offerings have diversified to reflect the changing culinary landscape of Queens, which is known for its multicultural food scene. Newer additions, such as Khalil Biryani House, which serves Bangladeshi cuisine, and kosher restaurants like Union Bistro and Simcha Palace, offer more options to accommodate a variety of dietary preferences. This inclusivity is essential to ensuring that all attendees feel welcome, and that everyone can enjoy the event’s offerings.
The event has also provided an opportunity for QCP to adapt and grow alongside the changing tastes and needs of the community. Wendy noted that as Queens has evolved, so have the event’s food options, with an emphasis on offering something for everyone, from halal to kosher to vegan selections.
The proceeds from the event directly benefit QCP’s programs, helping the organization continue its mission of providing critical services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As Wendy explained, the event not only generates significant revenue but also raises awareness about QCP’s work in the community. This is particularly important in a time when there is often a lack of events that combine fun with charitable giving. Through this event, QCP has created a space where attendees can enjoy themselves, all while supporting a cause that impacts the lives of many people in the community.
“I think people, the atmosphere and the energy at this event is always really uplifting. People really feel good when they go, when they’re there,” Gennaro said. “The proceeds all go back to our programs and just help us achieve our mission. So really, you know, it’s a win-win for everyone.”
Tickets for the event are priced at $150, which includes access to the food and drink tastings, the casino, and other activities for three hours of entertainment and can be purchased at tinyurl.com/25QCPFineFood.
“We’re proud of the 75 years that we’ve been operating in Queens, and we’re proud of the services and our staff and the support that we get from the community, and appreciate it,” Gennaro said. “Food isn’t just food, you know, is nurturing and it’s a great way to bring people together. So, we hope that everyone will come and check it out.”
