CITYMEALS 38TH ANNUAL CHEFS' TRIBUTE RAISES FUNDS TO DELIVER 100,000 MEALS FOR OLDER NEW YORKERS IN NEED

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 – New York, NY – Hundreds of guests and dozens of the country's most notable chefs joined Citymeals on Wheels last night for the 38th Annual Chefs' Tribute to Citymeals at Cipriani South Street. Thanks to Citymeals' generous supporters, the annual event raised $1 million to prepare and deliver 100,000 meals for homebound older New Yorkers.

For 38 years, Chefs' Tribute to Citymeals has gathered the most creative culinary talents to present their signature dishes at a walk-around tasting event that has become a New York City food world tradition. This year's theme – "Guilty Pleasures" – celebrated culinary indulgence with late-night snacks, delectable desserts and elevated twists on familiar favorites. The star-studded chef lineup included Aliyyah Baylor of Make My Cake Bakeshop, Emma Bengtsson of Aquavit Restaurant, Daniel Boulud & Romain Paumier of Café Boulud, Andrew Carmellini of Carne Mare; Elmer Dulla of familyfriend, Marc & Larry Forgione of Forgione, Alex Guarnaschelli of Clara at The New York Historical and Butter Restaurant, Zineb Hattab of Restaurant KLE, Yotaka & Alex Martin of Mr. Baan’s and Lom Wong, Charlie Palmer & Adam Raskin of Charlie Palmer Steak IV and Akoya, Peeko Oysters & The Noortwyck, Russ & Daughters, and dozens more.

"Each year, Chefs' Tribute brings together incredible culinary talents to support Citymeals’ mission and the older New Yorkers who rely on us," said Beth Shapiro, CEO of Citymeals on Wheels. "Thanks to our generous supporters and sponsors, we can continue to ensure a lifeline of meals and connection across the five boroughs, bringing us closer to our goal of ending elder hunger in New York City by 2040."

"Every meal Citymeals delivers is a promise to our older neighbors," said Chef Daniel Boulud, Chair of Citymeals' Board of Directors. "Thanks to these amazing chefs, we're delivering nutritious food that helps them age in their own homes and communities, where they want to be."

The evening included a special VIP Lounge with exclusive tastings from Sushi Noz, Gourmet Attitude Truffles, and Cipriani's signature Bellini Bar. Citymeals Ambassador Leigh Lezark DJ'd a special set with surprise tasting and sipping stations, adding an extra layer of indulgence to the "Guilty Pleasures" theme.

This year’s participating chefs included Einat Admony (Balaboosta and Moondog HiFi); Cesar Balderas (Cecchi’s Bar and Grill); Aliyyah Baylor (Make My Cake Bakeshop); Emma Bengtsson (Aquavit); Gabe Bertaccini (Food Network’s Ciao House); BonBon – A Swedish Candy Co.; Daniel Boulud & Romain Paumier (Café Boulud); Breads Bakery; Elmer Dulla (familyfriend); PJ Calapa (Marea); Andrew Carmellini (Carne Mare); José Luis Chavez (Mission Ceviche); Chris Cipollone (Francie); Ali Clem (la Barbecue); Scott Conant (Cellaio);  Marc & Larry Forgione (Forgione); Alex Guarnaschelli (Clara and The New York Historical and Butter Restaurant); Stefano di Silvestre (Cipriani South Street); Rocco DiSpirito (author of Everyday Delicious); Matt Gostelow (The Acorn); Zineb Hattab (Restaurant KLE); Keith Hernandez (RW Prime, Resorts World New York City); David Honeysett (Raoul’s); Morgan Jarrett (STATE Grill & Bar); Vikas Khanna (Bungalow); Hoyoung Kim (Jua and Moono); Celine Labaune (Gourmet Attitude Truffles); Lenny's Swedish Hot Dogs; Lior Lev Sercarz (La Boîte Custom Spice Bar); Antonia Lofaso (Scopa Italian Roots, Black Market Liquor Bar and DAMA); Yotaka & Alex Martin (Mr. Baan’s and Lom Wong); Charlie Palmer & Adam Raksin (Charlie Palmer Steak IV and Akoya); Andrew Quinn (The Noortwyck and Peeko Oysters); Petrossian Caviar served by Oysters XO; Thai Phi (Pink Bellies); Alfred Portale (Portale Restaurant); Carlos Portela (Orujo); Niki Russ-Federman & Josh Russ-Tupper (Russ & Daughters); Jena Derman and Jack Schramm (Solid Wiggles); Mark Strausman (Mark’s Off Madison); Nozomu Abe & Yudai Shibata (Sushi Noz); George Tang (Nobu Downtown); Jacques Torres (Jacques Torres Chocolates); Marc Vetri & Michal Shelkowitz (Vetri Cucina); Silvana Vivoli (Vivoli Il Gelato); and Erick Williams & Damarr Brown (Virtue Restaurant).

Bartenders from Bar Goto, Raines Law Room and Seaborne served bespoke cocktails.

Official sponsors for the 38th Annual Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals were American Airlines and FIJI Water. Additional sponsors were GoldenTree Asset Management as the exclusive sponsor of the VIP Lounge, Resorts World New York City, Heermance Farm Sponsored by William Gottlieb Real Estate, Milbank, Northern Trust, and media partner Robb Report.

The exclusive spirit sponsor of the VIP Lounge was House of Suntory. Additional beverage sponsors included Diageo, Elevación 1250 Tequila, Martis Wine Co., IRLANDÉS Tequila, Lavazza North America, Mezcalum and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. The Beverage Chair was Robert Oppenheimer, and the craft beer partner was Sixpoint Brewery. Reds, whites and bubbly were provided by La Caravelle, Giesen 0% Wines, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Landmark Vineyards, Independence Wine and Spirits, Regal Wine Imports, Skurnik Wines & Spirits and Wilson Daniels.

The 38th Annual Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals was co-chaired by Byron & Sabrina Athans, Dan & Beverly Bartfeld, Alison Blood, Giusy Buonfantino, Aaron & Stephanie Goldman and Danielle Taubman. 

The Host Committee was Andrew Friedman, Kenny Lane, Leigh Lezark, Erin Lichy, Nicole Locket and Drew Nieporent.