We are thrilled to announce Famed Chef and Host of the CHEF Radio Podcast, Eli Kulp and 2023 James Beard Outstanding Restauranteur Winner and the legendary owner of High Street Hospitality Group (Fork, High Street Philly, a.kitchen & bar and High Street Hoagies), Ellen Yin, to share their stories of RESILIENCE and tales from the Philly food scene, at our 2023 Breakfast in the Evening Event.
Eli Kulp is a well-decorated chef (Food & Wine’s Best New Chef | 2014, James Beard Finalist | 2016, Bon Appetit’s No. 2 Best New Restaurant in America, & Craig LaBan’s Chef of the Year | 2013) who grew up with limited access to the world he eventually immersed himself in. Kulp came in full force working with Ellen Yin, overseeing the kitchens at Fork, a.kitchen and a.bar, and High Street on Market. In 2015, Yin and Kulp decided it was time to expand to New York City. On one of the late-night trips back to New York City from Philadelphia, the Amtrak train Kulp was on was derailed. The accident killed eight, injured hundreds, Eli among them, endured a spinal cord injury. His sustained injury resulted in the inability to walk and a loss of function in his hand and arms. Kulp could no longer cook in the kitchens he worked to build. Chef Kulp became quadriplegic and confined to a wheelchair. His life as a chef — standing on the line, using his hands, running around his kitchens — was over. In addition to the trauma of the accident, Kulp grieved his loss of identity, the loss of well-honed chef skills, and of the future he had envisioned. But from a very dark place, a new vision, new abilities, and new meaning and perspective emerged. Over the last five years, Kulp has stayed involved in the kitchen in various ways and shares his story to inspire others to never give up and find a path forward. In April of 2020, he debuted his latest project, The CHEF Radio Podcast. Learn more about Eli’s story here
Ellen Yin has built a culinary empire over 25 years as an owner/operator of multiple restaurants in Philadelphia including Fork, High Street Philly, a.kitchen & bar and High Street Hoagies, and the legendary owner of High Street Hospitality Group. Yin also holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. Ellen is also founding member of Sisterly Love Collective, a non-profit to elevate the voices of women in the food & beverage space. High Street Hospitality Group restaurants have received high ratings from the press including Fork (3 bells, 3-time semifinalist for JBF Outstanding Restaurant); High Street on Market (3 bells, 2014 Bon Appetit Best New Restaurant); a.kitchen (3 bells, 2-time Top Wine Restaurants, Wine Enthusiast, semi-finalist for JBF Outstanding Wine Program) and High Street on Hudson (2 stars, NYT; Michelin Bib Gourmande). Ellen was a finalist for JBF 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023, Outstanding Restaurateur, among a slew of other accolades. Yin is involved on the boards of many community organizations including the Philadelphia Award, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, Arden Theatre Company. Learn more about Ellen here