By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

From an historical perspective, the Feast of the Seven Fishes - also known as la Viglia -  is an Italian-American celebration on Christmas Eve that commemorates the wait for the midnight birth of Jesus Christ and observes the abstinence of meat until Christmas Day.

The tradition is named for seven different seafood dishes that are typically served at the meal, which often include salted cod, eel, shrimp, calamari, a seafood salad and pasta with seafood.

From a local perspective, this bountiful tradition has become one of southern Chester County’s hottest and hard-to-get reservations, and on Dec. 24 – and for the 15th year - La Verona in Kennett Square will play host to hundreds of guests who arrive at the restaurant with great anticipation for the meal ahead and leave with the satisfaction of a memorable dining experience they many not soon forget.

In fact, the annual feast - hosted by Chef Jack Mavraj, his brother, Sam and their staff - has become so popular that guests place their reservations for the following year as they are leaving that year’s five-course meal.

“They stop at the desk on their way out and tell us, ‘Put us in the book for next year,’” Jack said. “We’re completely booked again this year, from the time we open at 3 p.m. until we begin to close at about 9 p.m., and as of right now, we already have 300 reservations made.”

At an average of four guests per table, that translates into 1,200 meals, but Jack won’t be alone in the kitchen. The day’s feast will be provided by six other chefs and several prep staff, who will be assisted by Samuel’s Seafood Company in Philadelphia, with whom Jack consults to assure that the delivery of what will go on the plates of hundreds of guests will be the highest quality seafood. 

While the Feast of the Seven Fishes has become a tradition in the U.S., it is also an annual rite of the Mavraj family in Kosovo, and one that has been passed on to hundreds of families throughout the southern Chester County community.

“Even though it is always one of our busiest days of the year – a day when I am away from my family and children – it is my favorite day here at La Verona,” Jack said. “There’s nothing like being in the kitchen and being told by our wait staff that their guests are paying us the highest compliments. 

“It’s not just a regular night. It’s a special night for all of us here. It is something that we are all so proud of – every one of our staff - and it is our gift to our guests, because without them, we would not be here.” 

This year’s Feast of the Seven Fishes begins at 3 p.m. While the event is sold out, guests can pre-order take-out by calling La Verona at (610) 444-2244, or order online by visiting www.laveronapa.com.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, [email protected].