Catering WHYY’s Evening Honoring Malala Yousafzai
Honoring Malala
At WHYY’s Lifelong Learning Award event, we were proud to cater an evening honoring Malala Yousafzai and her global advocacy for girls’ education.
Malala first came to international attention as a student in Pakistan, where she spoke out publicly in support of girls’ right to learn. After surviving a Taliban attack at just 15 years old, she took her advocacy to a global stage and went on to become the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate in history.
Today, her work centers on ensuring girls everywhere have access to free, safe, and quality education. The event brought Malala’s voice and impact to Philadelphia, celebrating the work she continues to lead through the Malala Fund.
A Cocktail Reception to Welcome the Room
The event began with a cocktail-style reception for over 300 Philadelphia leaders, supporters, and community members. Guests were greeted with butlered hors d’oeuvres, tapas-style bites, and interactive food stations positioned throughout WHYY’s Philadelphia headquarters. Highlights included JAM’s Roasted Garden station—a vegetarian take on the classic carving station, with grilled, braised, and roasted whole vegetables taking center stage—and small plates of Vegetable Biryani layered with saffron-scented basmati rice and spice-roasted vegetables, accompanied by mini vegetarian samosas and coriander chutney.
The Conversation Everyone Came to Hear
Guests then gathered in the WHYY auditorium for a conversation between Malala and Terry Gross, host of NPR’s beloved Fresh Air. Malala and Terry traced the arc of her advocacy—from speaking out as a student in Pakistan to carrying her message across the world. At its core, the conversation was about what progress actually requires: long-term commitment, sustained investment, and people who keep showing up. And in true Philadelphia fashion, Malala closed the evening with her best “GO BIRDS!” that earned exactly the reaction you’d expect.
A Sweet Finale
The crowd carried a buzzing energy back into the reception, where our Patisserie Vienna display was waiting. Chocolate-covered orange madeleines, mini custard éclairs, tea-scented tartlets, and monogrammed cookies filled the table, while butlered mini churros dusted in cinnamon sugar and served with spiced chocolate made the rounds, giving guests just one more reason to linger a little longer.
This event had the kind of energy that defines the City of Brotherly Love: showing up for one another and elevating voices that deserve to be heard. Malala is a champion, a leader, and a genuine inspiration—and Philadelphia showed up for her.
As a Philadelphia hospitality group, we’re proud to be part of a community that supports organizations like WHYY and makes room for the voices and conversations that move us forward.
Photography Credit: (Emma Lee/WHYY)