Brian Westbrook and Jeremiah Trotter at Harrah's May 11

Caesars Entertainment announced earlier this week that Harrah’s Chester will have a new name on May 12: Harrah’s Philadelphia, along with several new dining outlets and an all new entertainment line up.  Harrah’s Chester will officially change its name to Harrah’s Philadelphia in conjunction with its first headlining concert of the summer-long Harrah’s Philadelphia Summer Concert Series with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, slated for a May 12 show on “The Field” of the race track.

On Friday, May 11 at 2:40pm, Ron Baumann is inviting the entire Philadelphia region to join the Harrah’s team, along with Philadelphia sports team greats, Brian Westbrook and Jeremiah Trotter, Philly’s own Tony Luke, and the World’s most controversial competitive eater, Takeru Kobayashi. 

The event will feature live music and free cheesesteak samplings from famed Cheesestake King, Tony Luke, who has created a custom 20-foot long “ceremonial cheesesteak” representing the threshold to a new era for the entertainment destination.  Westbrook, Trotter, Luke, and Kobayashi will join Baumann and his team for the official cutting of the massive Philly favorite.  All celebrities will be available for photos and autographs immediately following the ceremony.

 “The unveiling of Harrah’s Philadelphia and new amenities is a first look at the new Harrah’s, and all that is to come in the very near future,” said Ron Baumann, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Harrah’s Philadelphia. “The expansion of our landmark Pennsylvania property is aimed at delivering to our guests an increasingly rich and welcoming entertainment experience with an array of new and improved amenities that include great dining options, live entertainment nightly and, of course, premier gaming action.” 

Following the “cheesesteak cutting”, Takeru Kobayashi “Kobi”, one of the World’s greatest competitive eaters, will take on the “Harrah’s Philadelphia Food Challenge” by attempting to consume numerous indigenous food items, creating a new category in the Guinness World Records.  Kobi will begin his glutenous challenge by attempting to break his current-standing World Record for the quickest time to consume a cheesesteak (courtesy of Tony Luke’s), in under :24 seconds.  His next three foods include:  one Cannoli from Varallo, a 10” Margherita pizza from Caffe Napoli and Macaroni & Cheese from BarleyQue.