Ask anyone who has attended the Brandywine Health Foundation’s Garden Party, the event that since 2003 has formally shepherded in the Strawberry Festival, and they all echo a familiar refrain.

The most difficult part of their evening is having to choose just one dessert among the many to win the People’s Choice Award in the Battle of the Berries.

This year’s Garden Party will take place next Wednesday, May 25th at Springbank Farm in Coatesville, the home of Jennifer and Robert McNeil, two of the area’s most generous philanthropists.

This will be the ninth time the McNeils have hosted the event, which attracts a nearly-500-person melting pot of a guest list.

“The Battle of the Berries is really a fabulous marketing opportunity for the participating restaurants,” said Jill Whitcomb, the Vice President for Development and Communications at the BHF. “And it shows, because they all come back year after year.

“It has gotten very competitive – they take it very seriously – and is a point of pride. The result is a lot of fun for the guests. Most of them eat the desserts even before their dinner.”

In addition to the People’s Choice Award, which each guest votes on, the restaurants contend for the Culinary Excellence Award, which is determined by a panel of venerable judges. Some include former White House chef John Moeller, QVC host Mary Beth Roe, Main Line Today publisher J.B. Braun, and Chester County commissioner Terence Farrell.

“Our judges have scorecards, and they grade each dessert in a number of categories like taste, presentation, creativity, and use of berries,” said Whitcomb.

The participants are Malvern’s General Warren Inne, Downingtown’s Amani’s, Sadsburyville’s ZING Sushi, The Gables at Chadds Ford, Exton’s Duling-Kurtz House and County Inn, and Malvern’s Desmond Hotel.

Many make a dessert that’s in line with the Party’s theme, which this year is A Spring Fiesta at Springbank Farm.

“The contest is good for our marketing and public relations, and it supports an endowment, which is like the trifecta of community participation,” said Michael Chain, the general manager of The Desmond. “It’s a fun, casual evening.

“The People’s Choice Award is awesome, because ultimately, the people are the ones choosing where to go eat and spend their money. For us, that’s where our bread is buttered, or our cake is iced, so to speak.”

Patrick Byrne, proprietor of the General Warren Inne, appreciates the Foundation’s mission.

“We get approached by a lot of different organizations, and they’re all good and charitable, but there’s something unique about the Brandywine Health Foundation and the Garden Party,” said Byrne. “The Foundation does great work in the community, and the party hosts a good mix of people – clients of ours and prospective clients.”

Jonathan Amann, chef and owner of Amani’s, relishes the challenge of making samples for almost 500 people that can hold up through its transportation and the wind at Springbank Farm.

“Last year, we made dessert tacos with maple candy bacon, strawberry salsa, and avocado whipped cream,” he said. “It’s just such a great event.

From a marketing perspective, it gives us great exposure. From a competition perspective, we won a couple times, and it’s a great feeling. And from a philanthropic perspective, the Foundation does such important work supporting the community.”

For Gertie Person, owner of the Duling-Kurtz House and Country Inn, the Garden Party is one of the most important events on her calendar.

“We’ve been going for 10 years, and know so many of the people involved and see their faces in our restaurant,” she said. “It’s a great advertisement for us.”

What will each restaurant be bringing for dessert this year?

That’s like asking a poker player to reveal his cards before the flop.

“The Battle of the Berries is a highlight of the Garden Party each year. The Garden Party wouldn’t happen without the extremely generous contributions from the participating restaurants.  It is a unique way to give back to the community which also affords each of the restaurants a fabulous marketing opportunity,” said Jill Whitcomb, the Vice President for Development and Communications at the BHF. “And it shows, because they all come back year after year.

“It has gotten very competitive – they take it very seriously – and is a point of pride. The result is a lot of fun for the guests. Most of them eat the desserts even before their dinner.”

Sounds like a win-win situation for everyone, regardless of the Battle’s outcome.

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For information on how you can purchase a ticket or become a sponsor visit the Brandywine Health Foundation’s secure site here.