Cencibel was born on April 6th, 1999, at a small BYO in Voorhees, NJ, where 8 women had dinner and discussed organizing a society dedicated to the appreciation of wine and food for wine loving women and their female friends. Over the past decade, the ladies of Cencibel have enjoyed wine, food, camaraderie, and the pleasure that comes from enjoying an interest they love with people who have become dear friends. This month, as we celebrate 10 wonderful years as a group, we are delighted to present 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. 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. Tony has graciously opened his home to us for this very special meal, and will prepare 7 small plates, and courses will include Pasta , Salad, Fish or Seafood, Pork, Lamb, Cheese and Dessert (chocolate, of course!) with his own special wine pairings. Chef advises he will also have vegetarian dishes for all who need flexibility, so please advise us of any special food requirements when you place your reservation. Chef also advises that some courses will be paired with one wine, and others with two, for contrast/complimentary pairing examples.

Seating for this dinner is limited to twenty-four people. Due to the intense interest we anticipate, we suggest you reserve as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Cost:

Members - $85 per person (via PayPal - $89.25)

Non-members - $95 (via Pay Pal - $99.75)

Payment covers food, wine, tax & gratuities.
Please e-mail Beth Sheligo so we can be looking for your payment.

Your seat is not guaranteed until your payment is received. The deadline for reservations is April 17, 2009.

Please mail your check payable to 'Cencibel' to

Joann Glasson, Treasurer

130 King George Road

Pennington, NJ 08534

We regret that we cannot accept payment at the door.

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.

The Cencibel Anniversary Dinner Committee looks forward to seeing you at Tony's on April 21st!