Tasty Talk luncheon features food, restaurant writer
‘The Art of Beer’ exhibit opens at Community Arts Center
RADNOR » Realtor Michelle Leonard will host the next Tasty Talk luncheon, featuring Philadelphia Inquirer food and dining reporter Michael Klein.
All are welcome to the presentation on Wednesday, April 10 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Jin Ding Restaurant, 1051 Conestoga Road, Radnor Township.
With his extensive knowledge of the Philadelphia region’s food and dining scene, Klein will provide fascinating insights into the growth of the restaurant industry and the small-business owners who contribute to its success.
During the event, attendees will also have the opportunity to mix and mingle with notable personalities in the communications, broadcast, food and news industries, including Jessica Kartalija of CBS 3, Ed Williams of Main Line Today Magazine, Barbie Marshall, Hell’s Kitchen contestant, and others.
In addition to a multicourse meal served by Jin Ding Restaurant, Veronica Fitzgerald, owner of V Empanadas at the Wayne Farmers Market, will treat the attendees to empanadas and guacamole. Adding to the culinary delights, Pomp and Splendor by Chrissy will provide guests with artisanal cookies, and Ariel LeVasseur, the owner of Olive & Meadow, will impress Tasty Talks attendees with her outstanding charcuterie board.
Tickets for the event are selling quickly at $30 in advance. The ticket price includes hors d’oeuvres, a hearty family-style lunch prepared by Chef Ming Feng and his staff, dessert, tax, tip, and a charitable contribution to The Sunday Love Project, the charity chosen by Klein. The Sunday Love Project is a nonprofit that runs a free grocery store in Kensington to help with high food insecurity there. For more details on the nonprofit, visit http://tsundaylove.org/.
To secure seats, call Jin Ding Restaurant at 610-5273200. RSVP by April 7.
Michelle Leonard, a realtor with Keller Williams Realty, is the founder and host of the Tasty Talks luncheon series, where media celebrities share their stories of making a difference. Leonard also hosts a Dine and Dish dinner series, which focuses on sports and entertainment notables who inspire the local community with their secrets of success. Every event organized by Leonard includes a charitable component, reflecting her strong commitment to giving back.
To stay updated on future Tasty Talks or Dine and Dish events, follow her on Instagram @thehatlady507 or call her at 610331-5913.
Chaddsford Winery looking to sell
For the first time since Chaddsford Winery cofounders Eric and Lee Miller retired, the privately held winery is actively seeking new ownership.
The Petrillo family, cofounders and longtime owners of the winery, are consolidating their investment portfolio and exiting the winery business. The winery is poised for a new generation of energized ownership, whether it be a small collective of high-networth local and loyal oenophiles, individual investors and partners, or a hospitality-focused private equity group looking for a strong, established brand with a powerful regional presence situated on five acres of prime real estate.
Established in 1982, Chaddsford Winery is widely regarded as a pioneer in the Pennsylvania wine industry, and with production of approximately 24,000 cases annually, it remains one of the largest by volume. Focusing on making approachable, food-friendly wines that reflect their unique Mid-Atlantic Uplands microclimate, Chaddsford expresses its artisanship through a diverse portfolio of dry whites, reds, and sweet wines.
Under new ownership, the future will be ripe for Chaddsford. Wholesale distribution has expanded to seven states, with recent forays into the Florida, Ohio and Kentucky markets as well as increased product availability and growth within the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
Product innovation continues to be a cornerstone of the business, with successful pilot programs in the ready-to-drink canned cocktails and kegged wine categories.
Wholesale distribution in seven states, including a robust relationship with the PLCB, is a significant component of the winery’s staying power, comprising
23% of total sales. However, the destination-driven programs and experiential retail drive the current business model, with 45% of total sales, largely due to the memorable events hosted at this historic venue. The winery’s flagship festival, Adult Trick-Or-Treat, welcomes over 6,300 ticketed attendees during the month of October, and boasts 50% Year-Over-Year revenue growth.
Seasonal products have also played a vital role in the winery’s fiscal growth. The popularity of Holiday Spirit and Spiced Apple mulled wines has helped to grow both wholesale and seasonal pop-up retail activity. The winery’s presence at outdoor holiday markets such as Dilworth Park Wintergarden, Christmas Village, and Tinseltown drives six-figure annual sales thanks to warm mugs of these European-inspired spiced wines.
In addition, the winery sold over 3,000 cases of these two mulled wines to regional wholesale distribution partners in 2023.
“The Petrillo family has enabled Chaddsford Winery to become a destination to experience wine in
a fun environment, encouraging exploration through unique pairings and events. Chaddsford is a strong, modern brand with a loyal following and is now positioned to take the business to the next level under new ownership,” explains Corey Krejcik, General Manager of Chaddsford Winery. “Chaddsford has the potential for phenomenal future growth with the opportunity to create scalable success across existing core competencies, leveraging a nationally recognized brand with deep, established retail and wholesale relationships spanning multiple markets.”
For more information, as well as a complete rundown of live programs, virtual events, and wines available for direct shipping, visit http://www.chaddsford.com.
Springfield police target aggressive drivers
The Springfield Township Police Department have joined the Pennsylvania State Police and over 300 municipal agencies to conduct a targeted aggressive-driving enforcement wave beginning this week through April 28.
The goal of targeted enforcement is to reduce the number of aggressive driving related crashes, injuries, and deaths on roadways throughout the state. Any aggressive driver stopped by police will receive a ticket.
The enforcement wave will focus on distracted driving, speeding and work zone awareness. Motorists exhibiting other unsafe behaviors such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, or other aggressive actions will also be cited.
The enforcement is part of Pennsylvania’s Highway Safety Program and is funded by part of PennDOT’s investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For more information on aggressive driving, visit http://PennDOT.pa.gov/ safety.
Vendor spaces available at Rose Tree Media Optimist Club flea market
The Rose Tree Media Optimist Club will host a giant flea market on the campus of Delaware County Community College at 901 Media Line Road, Media, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21. The rain date will be Sunday, April 28.
The flea market is one of the main fundraisers for the Optimist Club’s projects and youth recognition programs. Flea market vendor spaces are available for $50 or $90 for a double space.
For more information, email optimistfleamarket@ gmail.com or call Gene Riordan at 610-745-0104 or mail a check or money order to Rose Tree Media Optimists, Box 1892, Media, PA 19063
Other Optimist Club flea markets at the campus are planned for June 16, Aug. 18 and Oct. 13.