H.A. Hang: Kerri Sitrin

The coolest part of our business has always been our clients. We’re amazed by all they do: CEOs and business owners, world travelers, authors, inventors, healers, entrepreneurs, newscasters, artists, pro athletes, musicians, caretakers, and philanthropists. 

We launched this series to share the stories of our clients and form connections within the H.A. community. Enjoy!

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Home Appétit: You've owned your own business for about five years. What do you do and why did you start it?
Kerri Sitrin: I provide marketing and event services primarily for restaurants and chefs. Before that, I spent 14 years in the events department for Stephen Starr restaurants. During the pandemic I was furloughed. I got a handful of job offers, which I was very grateful for, but none felt like the right fit. Then I had an 'aha' moment. Why look for the perfect job when I could create it? My business plan became “do cool projects with cool people,” and that’s what I've been doing ever since.

Who are some of your clients?
Chef Dionicio Jimenez of Cantina La Martina and chef Ange Branca from Kampar. I also work closely with chef Jen Carroll, managing her experiences and events. And Culinary Collective in Bridesburg, which is a commissary where people can rent kitchen space. More than 75 different culinary entrepreneurs operate their businesses there!

Social media is a big part of your success, what’s your approach?
Social media is the easiest way to tell great stories. It used to be very sales-oriented, but now it's evolved into authentic storytelling. I find inspiration in everyday moments—whether that’s chefs developing new recipes, behind-the-scenes event preparations, or engaging culinary experiences. These stories unfold naturally and I love sharing them with the world.

You also volunteer a lot—why is that a passion of yours?
I’m involved with several nonprofits and local initiatives because I’m inspired by the impact that individuals can make on their community. Being able to contribute in a meaningful way feels like a gift. How lucky am I that I get to have a platform to help make a difference? I support Muhibbah Dinners, a charity dinner series founded by Ange Branca that raises funds for immigrant communities. I'm also involved with MANNA, which provides medically tailored meals to Philadelphians and ACCT Philly, the city's open-intake animal shelter. There, I help organize the volunteer-run monthly themed photo shoots of the animals to help them get adopted. Additionally, I work with Philly Goat Project and C-CAP Philly—both doing incredible community work.

You’ve kind of gotten the reputation as the “Queen of Gluten-Free Dining” in Philly. How come?
I've had celiac disease for nearly 20 years. I was diagnosed right before I started working in the restaurant industry. I've watched gluten-free dining evolve dramatically—initially, dining out while GF meant only eating lettuce and grilled chicken. Now, Philadelphia restaurants offer extensive gluten-free options. Newly diagnosed people often come to me for guidance and I tell them they’re lucky because there are so many delicious options today. I have a gluten-free Philly guide on my Instagram profile to highlight the incredible growth.

So, spill your secrets. What are some of your favorite gluten-free spots in town?There are so many! Doro Bet has amazing gluten-free fried chicken and EMei offers incredible Szechuan dishes. Kalaya's menu is almost entirely gluten-free. Okie Dokie Donuts and Fox & Son are completely gluten-free. I also enjoy Mexican and Central American food—El Merkury and Cantina La Martina (both clients, I’ll admit!) offer many gluten-free dishes. Middle Child and Liberty Kitchen are great for gluten-free sandwiches. It's wonderful to have such diverse options now, this is really just the beginning of the list.

Keep up with Kerri on Instagram.