May 13, 2015
Instagram/for PhillyVoice
Philadelphia Chef Eli Kulp, pictured above cutting into a duck, was injured in Tuesday night's train-derailment.
UPDATED May 20, 2015: A spokesman for Chef Eli Kulp told the Philadelphia Business Journal today that Kulp has suffered a "severe" spinal cord injury in connection with the Amtrak 188 derailment last week.
Kulp underwent surgery at Aria-Health Torresdale immediately after the wreck, according to the report. The spokesman said Kulp is showing signs of early recovery but is expected to go through months of rehabilitation. There's still no word on how the injury will impact Kulp's long-term mobility.
To support Kulp, High Street Hospitality will host a fundraiser on July 16 at Fork, the same day that was declared "Eli Kulp Day" just last year by Mayor Michael Nutter after he was named one of Food and Wine's Best New Chefs. The upcoming High Street on Hudson in West Village in New York will continue its fall opening plans despite Kulp's injury; team members from Fork, High Street on Market and a.kitchen continue to manage Kulp's restaurants in his absence.
The Philadelphia Business Journal first reported that Kulp was among more than 200 passengers injured in the May 12 Amtrak train derailment.
Kulp co-owns High Street on Market and Fork. He was promoted to executive chef at Fork in 2012 and became co-owner of both restaurants earlier this year.
The Amtrak train, headed northbound to New York from Washington, D.C., derailed in the Port Richmond neighborhood late last Tuesday. So far, eight people have been reported dead. Investigations into what caused the derailment are ongoing.
