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Celebrating the Restaurant Staff Behind Center City District Restaurant Week, Winter 2024
Center City District (CCD) Restaurant Week returned this past January 21 through February 3 with 119 restaurants showcasing some of the most diverse and delicious dishes found only in Center City. The ongoing success of CCD Restaurant Week is made possible due to the extraordinary talent and hard work of the front and back house workers in each participating restaurant. Every busser, bartender, server, and chef is deserving of recognition.
Last September, CCD introduced a staff appreciation spotlight that allowed restaurant owners and managers to nominate one member of their staff for a chance to win a $500 “tip” in recognition of their hard work. After receiving an overwhelming number of submissions, CCD randomly selected five staff members from restaurants across Center City, with all other entrants receiving a small consolation prize. This winter, CCD is proud to announce that five new winners have been selected.
Below, read more about the five winners:
Meet the Winners
Filiberto, Busser/Food Runner at Con Murphy’s, 1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Why was he nominated?
We nominated Fili because he has been an integral part of Con Murphy’s for so long. It will be 15 years this year and he opened the place with us. [He]and I are the longest employees still here. He has just been a huge asset – works full time, is always here, and does the job of probably two to three people. Just a huge asset to us.
What is your favorite thing about Center City?
I love the city and City Hall. I love the museums and of course the Rocky statue. I love all of the places that you can discover history from the city.
What is your favorite part of working in a restaurant?
I like to enjoy my time with the customers as much as I can. It is great to see them happy when you bring the food over to them and when they like the food – I like to see their happy faces.
Saki, Server at Estia, 1405-08 Locust Street
Why was he nominated?
He was nominated because he’s passionate about his work and he’s a hard worker. He makes everyone feel at home when they dine at Estia.
What is your favorite thing about Center City?
Center City is where we gather, where we celebrate, where we come alive. It’s part of urban living and where we gather to celebrate occasions, birthdays, and different milestones in our lives. It is where everything comes together. It is the center and the city – it is very simple. And also, it’s part of a fabric of different people all coming together and that’s what it’s all about.
What is your favorite part of working in a restaurant?
Wow. This is a 10-fold question! I could keep on going. My most favorite part of being a waiter for a lifetime, for the past 51 years, is being with people and making a difference in their lives. It may sound heavy, but it is really simple – people come to me in different moods and you are able to create a change in that moment. From past experiences – you are what you give out. When you are energetic, upbeat, and positive more often than not it reflects on the people you are serving. They change and you give them a chance and they turn around. Sometimes people come in and they are simply hungry or something difficult has happened in their lives. And all of a sudden you see a difference and transformation on people’s faces. Number two, it is a constant learning curve. Every day you get a chance to hone your skills on a different level. Number three, being able to be there for the next human being. It is not necessarily waiting on the table; it is also networking. In my so many years, I was able to network for my coworkers who are in school and able to make a difference in their life. You’re able to make a difference for the moment – but those moments make minutes, and minutes make days, and days make months, and months make years. And before you know it everybody is looking for your smile.
John, Bartender at Garden Grille & Bar, Hilton Garden Inn 1100 Arch Street
Why was he nominated?
John was nominated because I have the chance to work with employees who have great experience like him. Especially John, he mingles a lot with our guests. I get feedback from the guests about his recommendations for places to visit in the city. He is very passionate about telling people about the historic background of Philadelphia and I think that’s what stands out the most about his initiative to promote the hotel and the restaurant.
What is your favorite thing about Center City?
Working as a bartender in a city like Philadelphia, Center City can be a dynamic and rewarding experience. Philadelphia with its vibrant culinary scene and diverse population offers unique opportunities for those in the hospitality industry. One of the most exciting aspects is the diverse clientele. Philadelphia attracts people from various backgrounds and interests. Working at the Hilton Garden Inn across from the Convention Center gives me the opportunity to meet and host people from all over the world. As a bartender this means I get to interact with a wide range of guests each with their own preferences and stories. This diversity provides an excellent chance to hone my inner-personal and customer service skills. It really does. It just opens up a whole new world, from people to come in from all over the world who are anxious to see Philadelphia. With so much history and so much to see and opportunities to dive into the city.
What is your favorite part of working in a restaurant?
Working in a restaurant like the Garden Grille & Bar is rewarding. The interactions with diverse customers contribute to a rich, fulfilling work experience. My leadership team who has been great in supporting me to be myself and opportunity to work with the team and staff with diverse backgrounds. Meaning everybody here is so important to me for my support and they couldn’t show me enough support than they already have, and they are awesome to work with.
Tiahna, Bartender at LaScala’s Fire, 615 Chestnut Street
Why was she nominated?
Tiahna is a good example for all the other employees that I hire. There are a lot of younger people and especially younger women that work here that can look up to her. She really works hard, and she shows up on time. She is a leader, and she doesn’t complain about a lot – which in our business there is a lot to complain about. She has a really positive attitude every day.
What is your favorite thing about Center City?
I grew up in the suburbs – so I like being here in a different environment. Being around different people and different personalities. It’s a lot different than what I’m used to.
What is your favorite part of working in a restaurant?
Probably talking to people. Getting to know new backgrounds of people and learning where they are from, why they are visiting and what they plan to do while they are here. There’s a lot of people that come to see the history of Philadelphia. I just like learning about people and seeing that there are still some good people out there so it’s great to talk to them. At the bar you get a lot more regulars and at the tables you get a lot of people who are visiting.
Ana, Pastry Sous Chef at Wilder, 2009 Sansom Street
Why was she nominated?
Ana is a phenomenal employee, and she takes immense pride in her work. She is our pastry sous chef and during Restaurant Week, typically the first few days it’s very fun for staff and at the same time it becomes daunting with all of the prep work. However, during those couple weeks Ana is in a great mood and it permeated to the other staff. So, it was really nice she was pumped up and excited like “I need to make 300 chocolate creameuxs!” That was really great because her energy went to the rest of the staff and it’s a great attitude to have.
What is your favorite thing about Center City?
I feel like I pretty much like everything. Restaurants, the people, and the whole city. And parks — I really love parks!
What is your favorite part of working in a restaurant?
My favorite part of working in a restaurant is that every day you learn something. No matter if you know one thing, you learn something else the next day.
Support These Restaurants Year Round
Center City District Restaurant Week is only one of the many ways you can support the efforts of front and back house workers. Center City is made up of diverse and nationally awarded food venues where you can celebrate every milestone and birthday, and enjoy lunch with your colleagues. To keep up with the diverse restaurant scene in Center City, be sure to explore our “Dine” page to see what new and innovative events are happening in the region’s premier dining destination.