Chef Evan Snyder to Host November Collaborative Dinner

Philadelphia restaurant Emmett will welcome guest chefs for a special dining event on November 8, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Food and Drink

A close-up of a minimalist, artfully prepared dish on a matte plate, resting on a dark wooden table in an elegant restaurant.
Chef Evan Snyder will host a collaborative dining event on November 8, 2026, at his Philadelphia restaurant, Emmett, highlighting its evolution into a tasting-menu venue. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Chef Evan Snyder will host a collaborative dinner at his Olde Kensington restaurant, Emmett, on November 8, 2026. This upcoming event highlights the venue’s recent transition into a specialized tasting menu destination.

Why it matters

The dinner showcases the creative evolution of Emmett, which has gained significant industry recognition since its launch. The event serves as a milestone for the restaurant as it prepares to expand its culinary footprint.

Emmett has secured recognition as a James Beard Award finalist and earned a spot on Esquire's prestigious list of best new restaurants. The kitchen operates a rotating menu that features crudos, pastas, and fired meats.

The players

Evan Snyder

He is the 34-year-old chef and owner of Emmett who previously led the kitchen at Redcrest Kitchen and attended Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando.

Emmett

It is a Levantine restaurant located in Philadelphia's Olde Kensington neighborhood that focuses on tasting menus.

Julian van der Tak

He serves as the managing partner for the restaurant Emmett.

The details

Located at 161 W. Girard Ave., Emmett has shifted from its original concept to function primarily as a tasting menu and special-occasion venue. Managing partner Julian van der Tak and Snyder are currently planning the launch of an upstairs fine-dining counter titled Jean.

Timeline

  1. Evan Snyder opened Emmett in January 2025.

  2. Snyder hosts a collaborative dinner on November 8, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This collaborative dinner follows a pattern set by the James Beard Foundation Award program, which highlights establishments achieving high levels of culinary distinction. The event underscores a trend of rising independent venues leveraging prestige to host unique, one-off dining experiences.

Local diners should prepare for exclusive seating availability during the collaborative dinner on November 8, 2026. This event offers a rare chance to experience a specialized menu that differs from the restaurant's standard tasting rotation.

The takeaway

Collaborative dinners offer diners access to unique culinary fusions that are not part of the standard restaurant rotation. Guests interested in attending special events should monitor the restaurant website for ticket release announcements.

What happens next

Emmett plans to launch a fine-dining counter named Jean in the upstairs space of the restaurant.

Further reading

Explore more local dining news in the Philadelphia Food and Drink section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by PhillyVoice.

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Do you prefer choosing restaurants specifically for special occasions rather than for casual dining?