May 7, 2014

Chefs have been an integral part of Citymeals’ success since we were founded over thirty years ago. In 2014, the culinary community’s involvement continues to grow through our annual events as well as new initiatives.

Citymeals Board Co-President Chef Daniel Boulud, along with Board Member Charlie Palmer, is spearheading our newest program, Chefs Deliver for Citymeals. Every month, a rotating cast of the city’s most talented chefs prepare and deliver restaurant quality meals to our most vulnerable neighbors. No longer able to go out and enjoy the fantastic restaurants so many New Yorkers take for granted, our homebound elderly have been delighted to receive these special meals – and often meet the chefs who made them. Since the beginning of the year, the program has delivered nearly 2,000 meals throughout the city. 

Watch this video of the Chefs Deliver launch in January.

Recently our generous restaurant partners Aureole and Tocqueville came to the rescue and prepared meals for 90 tenants of a senior housing building on the Lower East Side. The aged residents had been living without gas for over three weeks, limiting their ability to cook for themselves. Recipients enjoyed a gourmet Easter meal of lamb stew alongside vegetables with couscous or potatoes. Aureole and Tocqueville have been longtime supporters of Citymeals, providing hundreds of meals during times of emergency and on holidays throughout the year.

Chefs have been supporting Citymeals since our founding in 1981, and on June 9th, they will continue this tradition by participating in Summer by the Sea, the 29th Annual Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals-on-Wheels. Food Network stars like Bobby Flay, Marc Forgione and Scott Conant will join renowned masters including Larry Forgione, Nobu Matsuhisa, Charlie Palmer and Jean-Georges Vongerichten as they prepare dishes that celebrate the best of coastal cuisine. One hundred percent of ticket sales will provide nutritious meals to our most vulnerable neighbors.