January 17, 2023

Iron Chef Jose Garces Announces Grand Opening of Garces Trading Company at Kimmel

January 17, 2023/ Garces Trading Company at Kimmel/ Kory Aversa

James Beard Award Winner and Iron Chef Jose Garces announces the grand opening of Garces Trading Company at Kimmel, located inside the Kimmel Center at 300 S. Broad Street. The reinvented concept is back in an all-new way as a collection of casual cafes that are part coffee shop, restaurant, bakery, marketplace and corporate catering solution. For the new location on the Kimmel Cultural Campus, patrons will find an exclusive coffee roast that pays tribute to superstar conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Yannick’s Blend joins new food offerings that will include The Spotlight (Braised Short Rib), The Standing Ovation (Chicken Pot Pie) and The Bravo (Country Ham, Amish Butter, Baguette). For aesthetics, Chef has tapped Architect Kieran Timberlake and Marguerite Rodgers Interior Design to create one of the most visually stunning coffee shops and cafes in Center City. The café’s addition continues the transformation of the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza into a vibrant all-day gathering space that will welcome the public throughout the day into the evening, while also accommodating pre- and post- event crowds. Garces Trading Company opens inside directly from the Plaza and outside from Spruce Street. Garces Trading Company at Kimmel is located across the Plaza from sister restaurant Volvér. The new café will grand open on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 7:30am
with free croissants to the first 150 patrons and visitors until 9:30am.

June 08, 2022

The Balcony Bar at The Kimmel Center Returns with Stunning Views, Summer Sips, DJs and More

June 08, 2022/ The Kimmel Cultural Campus/ Lexie Fleege

The Kimmel Cultural Campus, Chef Jose Garces and Garces Events are pleased to announce the return of Balcony Bar at The Kimmel. Starting June 15th, The Balcony Bar will feature the city's most breath-taking views each and every Wednesday, from 4:30pm to 7:00pm, for Center City SIPS. The pop-up space, located on the second-tier balcony of the Kimmel Center, overlooks iconic Broad Street and City Hall. Guests will enjoy the city's best views, plus beats from weekly rotating DJs, ticket giveaways, discounted drinks and happy hour bites. The Balcony Bar will offer up not just the vibes, but the best sips deals, with offerings priced between $4 and $6 each. Admission to The Balcony Bar is free, with food and drink pay-as-you-go. All food and drink are presented by Garces Events. After SIPS, guests can head downstairs to Volvér for 15% off their check when they mention Balcony Bar at The Kimmel.

June 07, 2022

Chef Jose Garces Introduces Chef Dane DeMarco as Next Chef in Residency at Volvér

June 07, 2022/ Volvér/ Lexie Fleege

Chef Jose Garces announces Chef Dane DeMarco (they/them) as the next Chef in Residency at Volvér on Kimmel Cultural Campus. Chef DeMarco’s residency is timed to coincide with Philly Pride Month, starting June 15th and running through July 24th. Funding raised during this residency will provide start-up funds for DeMarco to open a brand new restaurant concept called Hanks Sandwich Co., which will offer different sandwiches inspired by international culinary traditions. DeMaro’s menu embraces a diverse range of creations such as Oxtail Terrine, Crab Corn Dog Galette, Cannoli Manicotti, Corner Fried Shrimp, Crab Corn Dog Galette, and Vanilla Krimpet. For the new Chefs in Residency Program, each Chef will showcase their top signature dishes on the Volvér menu for six to eight weeks, alongside Chef Garces' signature French-inspired dishes. Through a special donation program in partnership with the Garces Foundation, each Chef in Residency will have the opportunity to raise money to support their work with their current restaurant, or to use for the start of their next culinary journey. Volvér's hours for the season will be from Wednesday to Sunday, from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, with a special pre-theatre menu served from 4:00pm to 6:30pm, and happy hour from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Reservations are now available at www.volverrestaurant.com, via Open Table, or by calling 215-670-2302. Celebrate the art of fine dining by following Volvér on social media at @volverphl @chefjosegarces and @garcesgroup. All guests coming to Volvér must be vaccinated per Kimmel Cultural Campus policy. Volver is located at 300 S. Broad Street, in Center City, Philadelphia.

March 16, 2022

Curtains Up: Philly Theatre Week Returns From April 1 to 10 with Hundreds Events Around the Region

March 16, 2022/ Kimmel Cultural Campus/ Kory Aversa

Theatre Philadelphia announces the return of Philly Theatre Week featuring hundreds of theatrical performances across the region between April 1-10, 2022. The ten day festival will showcase the talents of 64 organizations with 85 shows and events. This fifth annual celebration showcases the vibrant and diverse theatre scene in the tri-state region, while shedding a light on the theatre community’s resilience through the pandemic. Events include a variety of live and virtual performances and workshops, theatre-by-mail and chatroom, and exclusive ticket pre-sales, showcasing theatre across the Greater Philadelphia region with shows in Philadelphia, Delaware, South Jersey, Bucks County, and the Main Line and Western Suburbs. Tickets for participating events are limited and Free, $15 or $30 and found only at www.phillytheatreweek.com. Philly Theatre Week tickets are officially on sale now at www.phillytheatreweek.org.

January 21, 2022

Chef Jose Garces Introduces Chef Jezabel Careaga as Next Chef in Residency at Volvér at Kimmel

January 21, 2022/ Volver/ Kory Aversa

Chef Jose Garces announces Chef Jezabel Careaga as the next Chef in Residency at Volvér on Kimmel Cultural Campus. Chef Careaga's residency will run from January 26th to March 13th. Funding will help support the initiatives of Fuerza for Humans, a non-profit focusing on mental health for the restaurant community Currently, Careaga's menu will include Picada, Escabeche de Berejena Toast, Empanadas, Tamales Saltenos, Vacio con Papas Estrelladas, Estofado, Locro, Queso y Membrillo and Panqueque Con Dulce De Leche.

November 23, 2021

Chef Jose Garces Introduces Phila Lorn at Next Chef in Residency at Volver at Kimmel Center

November 23, 2021/ Volver/ Guest User

Chef Jose Garces announces Chef Phila Lorn as the next Chef in Residency at Volvér on Kimmel Cultural Campus just in time for the holiday season. Chef Lorn's residency will run from December 1, 2021 to January 17, 2022. Funding will help support Chef's first restaurant that will soon showcase Cambodian food, music and culture. Currently, Chef Lorn is working at Terrain Glen Mills and he recently was a special guest chef at Stina in South Philly. Lorn's menu will include nearly ten items, and include Crispy Soft Shell Shrimp, Pleah, Crab Summer Rolls, Banh Chow Crepe Salad, Steak and Chimichurri, Roasted Hamachi Collar, Mawn 'Pho Don', and more. For the new Chefs in Residency Program, each Chef will showcase their top signature dishes on the Volvér menu for six to eight weeks, alongside Chef Garces' signature French-inspired dishes. Through a special donation program in partnership with the Garces Foundation, each Chef in Residency will have the opportunity to raise money to support their work with their current restaurant, or to use for the start of their next culinary journey.