When Ange Branca, head chef at Kampar, first came to Philadelphia, she fell in love with the city’s cultural diversity. It was 2017, and she had an idea — to celebrate diversity and create community through food. The Muhibbah Dinner series was born.
Eight years later, at a time when diversity and community face challenges, Branca remains committed to those values.
“It is really easy for us to just be in a pocket that we are comfortable in,” Branca said. “It’s a sad thing when we stay where we’re comfortable instead of really embracing the differences that are out there. I understand it can be scary, but through food, that experience is actually not very scary. It’s very beautiful.”
The Muhibbah Dinner series will host its ninth annual community-style dinner on March 25, at the Rex at the Royal in Philadelphia, from 6 to 9 p.m. Proceeds from ticket sales go to Esperanza Immigration Legal Services — a nonprofit that provides services to immigrants with low incomes.
“As an organization that provides immigration legal services, community education and advocacy for immigrants living in the heart of Latino North Philadelphia and beyond, Esperanza Immigration Legal Services is proud to partner with Muhibbah Dinners on March 25,” wrote Anu Thomas, the executive director of Esperanza Immigration Legal Services. “In this climate of chaos, fear, and anti-immigrant sentiment, Muhibbah Dinners uplift the message that we love and welcome our immigrant neighbors through the universal language of sharing a meal with one another.”
Named after a Malay term that describes the harmony of cultures coming together in peace and tolerance, the series celebrates the beauty of community with a family-style dinner. Six local chefs volunteer their time and services, bringing one dish from their culture to share with guests.
Among the chefs who will be preparing dishes for the March 25 event are Branca, Jen Zavala (Juana Tamale), Nic Macri (Royal Tavern), Kevin Yanaga (Yanaga Kappo Izakaya), Dan Tsao (EMei) and Reuben Asaram (Reuby).
“Cooking is an act of love,” said Ching-i Zdyrko, who assists with project management for the series. “Being able to have these chefs come in and tell a story they have a deep connection to, on a plate, and being able to share that as a community allows us to really embrace the spirit of Muhibbah. It becomes more than just a word and a concept. It becomes an entire way of practice.”
The menu is not usually known before the event, which allows guests to be surprised by what the chefs prepare for the event. It also allows for different flavors from diverse cultures to come together in a way that’s rather unique, said Jen Woodruff, who manages the event experience for the dinner series.
“It’s really beautiful the way the flavors from different dishes mingle with each other,” Woodruff said. “The guests are using the same plate for the entirety of the dinner, so there’s this melding [of flavors] that happens with the different dishes.”
Guests will begin their night with a welcome cocktail provided by one of the event sponsors, creating an environment for guests to mix and mingle. Guests then are seated at large dinner tables, intended for people to share food, drinks and conversation with each other.
As each course comes out, the chef who created it will explain the inspiration behind the dish and their connection to it.
Those interested in attending the dinner can purchase tickets on the Muhibbah Dinner Series website. Tickets are priced at $160 each and attendees are encouraged to bring their own beverages.
