The Event.
Date: Saturday, September 13th, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
The 2025 Bite for the Fight Food Festival benefitting the Fight On Makenna Foundation. The 2025 festival will feature a dine-around-style tasting event with signature bites from 40+ restaurants, cooking demos from area chefs and restaurants, craft cocktail demos from premium distilleries, a silent auction, and special guest appearances by Chef Brian Duffy, Margaret Josephs, The Phillie Phanatic, and Brent Celek! With chef demos from Chef Chad Durkin and Chef Kenneth J. McDuffie. Once again this year our Emcee is Spike Eskin!
Check out the 2024 highlights!
Makenna’s Story
Makenna Ann Massi was a 14-year-old young woman who gained her wings on September 27th, 2018 after a 9-month battle fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Makenna was all about the color purple, scary movies, spicy food, and chocolate cake. She was the biggest and truest fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, her golden doodle Santino was her constant companion, and she had a passion for Tae Kwon Do, earning her a first-degree black belt. Makenna believed in the power of laughter, the strength of family, and that one day we will find a cure for Childhood Cancer.
In the Spring of 2014, Makenna was diagnosed with a Wilm’s tumor (kidney cancer). She fought and beat it after a 9-month treatment plan consisting of chemotherapy and radiation, and in January 2015, was declared cancer free. On December 12, 2017 (as she was approaching the 3-year milestone of being cancer free), we were contacted by Makenna’s oncologists following an unrelated doctor’s appointment. Blood work had shown abnormalities in her platelet count and on December 13th, 2017, it was confirmed that Makenna had developed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Further tests revealed that this AML was a secondary cancer caused by her treatments in 2014.
Makenna embarked on a long inpatient treatment plan – including the need for a bone marrow transplant – to cure the AML. After two rounds of chemotherapy, Makenna’s AML was in remission, and on March 28th, 2018, Makenna received a bone marrow transplant from her older sister Kayla, who was a perfect match. Everything was going according to plan. Makenna returned home on May 23rd, 2018 after 100 nights in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHoP) and she was making great progress through June. The week before the July 4th holiday, Makenna developed complications with her breathing and was put on supplemental oxygen.
The next 3 months would be marked by numerous admissions to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at CHoP. The intensity of her treatment had damaged Makenna’s heart and lungs, and she had developed Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). All the doctor’s attempts to treat the PH were unsuccessful and Makenna’s oxygen needs kept increasing until eventually, her body had given up. On September 27, 2018, we said goodbye to our angel. The Fight On Makenna Foundation was established to honor her memory and carry on her strength and fighting spirit to help kids and families facing pediatric cancer.
Chef Brian Duffy
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Chef Brian Duffy is one of the most passionate human beings in the hospitality world. After honing his skills under James Beard Award-winning Chef Jean Marie LaCroix at The Four Seasons, Chef Duffy founded the Duffified Experience Group (DEG). He's been featured on Food Network's BBQ Brawl as a Competitor and Fan Favorite, was a guest judge on Beat Bobby Flay and was an Expert Chef on the hit TV show, Bar Rescue.
Margaret Josephs Owner/Founder at The Macbeth Collection / Co-founder Soiree’ non alcoholic mocktail /Bravo TV Personality/Lifestyle Expert
Meet Margaret at the @phillyexpocenteroaks on September 13, or at Marge on the Moshulu on September 9th! Don't miss the chance to connect with one of your favorite Housewives
Celebrity Guest Margaret Josephs
Brent Celek
Brent Celek is a former NFL tight end who played his entire 11-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles. Drafted in 2007 out of the University of Cincinnati, he became known for his toughness, reliability, and versatility, finishing with nearly 5,000 receiving yards and winning Super Bowl LII in his final season. After retiring in 2018, Celek joined the Eagles’ front office as a personnel consultant. He has since built a successful career in real estate and business, while remaining active in the Philadelphia community through his charitable foundation and entrepreneurial ventures.
Chad Anthony Durkin is the owner of Porco’s Porchetteria, Small Oven Pastry Shop, and the recently opened Breezy’s Deli and Market in Point Breeze, Philadelphia, a Wawa-inspired brand. With over 5 years of experience operating successful local eateries, Chad has made his mark on the Philly food scene.
His culinary achievements include winning 7 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze in international and national competitions. He served as Pastry Chef for the ACF USA Junior Culinary Olympic Team and is an ACF Certified Executive Pastry Chef (CEPC). Chad holds a Master’s in Food Process Technician and Engineering (CFT) and has honed his craft in Colombes, France, and Favoriten, Austria. He’s also a ServSafe Certified Proctor and Instructor. Chad’s work has been featured on Food Network, Netflix, and Discovery, with appearances in shows like *Buddy vs. Duff*, *Cake Boss*, and *Food Network Challenge*. He has received accolades from Philadelphia Magazine and The Philadelphia Inquirer for his innovative culinary contributions.
When not in the kitchen, Chad is a certified sailor, participating in offshore racing. He brings the same passion for precision and creativity to both his culinary and sailing endeavors.
Chef Chad Anthony Durkin CFT, CEPC
Chef Kenneth J. McDuffie
Chef Kenneth J. McDuffie is a renowned celebrity chef, restaurateur, and culinary educator whose passion for food and dedication to his craft have inspired audiences worldwide. Raised with a love for soulful flavors passed down from his great-grandmother, Esther Smith, Chef McDuffie has built a career rooted in tradition, innovation, and excellence. He gained national recognition as a contestant on Season 19 of FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen and on Food Network’s Chopped, where he showcased his bold flavors, creativity, and resilience under pressure. His talent has also earned him opportunities to cook and cater for countless celebrities, cementing his reputation as one of the most dynamic chefs of his generation.
Chef McDuffie is the proud owner of Esther’s Soul Food Kitchen in South Carolina, a restaurant that pays homage to his great-grandmother and the soulful traditions that shaped his culinary identity. He also runs a thriving catering business that continues to delight clients with personalized, high-quality dining experiences. Currently, Chef McDuffie serves as a CTE Culinary Arts Teacher at Simon Gratz Mastery Charter, where he inspires and mentors the next generation of culinary professionals. His unique ability to blend real-world experience with classroom teaching has made him a role model for young chefs striving to pursue their dreams. Beyond his many achievements, Chef McDuffie is admired for his leadership, authenticity, and unwavering commitment to his community. His ultimate culinary dream is to expand his brand nationally, sharing the soulful cooking traditions that define his story while uplifting and mentoring future culinary leaders.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kjmcduffie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechefkenny
“The Emcee” Spike Eskin
Spike Eskin is the host of the Afternoon Show on 94WIP along with Ike Reese and Jack Fritz, as well as the long-running 76ers podcast The Rights To Ricky Sanchez. Spike returned to WIP in April after serving as the Vice President of Programming for WFAN (New York) and Infinity Sports Network. A 30 year radio veteran, Spike has also been the Program Director at 94WIP, as well as Assistant Program Director and Music Director of 94WYSP (Philadelphia) and Q101 (Chicago).
Special Apperance by The Phillie Phanatic
2019
Previous Winners
2021
2022
2024 Savory
2024 Sweet
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
bite4thefight@ gmail.com