Celebrity Chef Michael Psilakis Cooks and Delivers Meals to Homebound Elderly New Yorkers as Part of the Chefs Deliver for Citymeals Program

(March 17, 2017 –  New York, NY) – Several frail aged residents of Astoria were greeted today by Chef Michael Psilakis of MP Taverna who came to their doors as part of the Chefs Deliver for Citymeals program. Chef Psilakis will also be preparing his Greek specialties at Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals on Wheels, the annual fundraiser taking place on June 12, 2017.

A Citymeals on Wheels initiative, Chefs Deliver brings together a rotating cast of culinary stars who, once a month, lend their talents to Citymeals – cooking and often personally delivering the meals to the doors of New Yorkers who are too frail to shop or cook for themselves. Chefs Deliver was launched in January 2014 by Citymeals Board of Directors Co-President Chef Daniel Boulud and Citymeals Board Member Chef Charlie Palmer.

Chef Psilakis, along with dozens of other chefs, will celebrate Mediterranean cuisine at Rockefeller Center at the 32nd Annual Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals – Ports of Call Mediterranea: A Culinary Journey. One of Citymeals’ signature events, tickets are currently available to purchase at www.citymeals.org/portsofcall.

Chef Psilakis prepared a healthy and flavorful menu of grilled chicken scaloppine with roasted red peppers, zucchini and tomato pesto served with a side of brown rice and grilled broccoli with lemon. The remainder of the 100 meals was delivered to other Citymeals recipients in Sunnyside.

“Elderly New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs rely on Citymeals on Wheels for a lifeline of nourishing meals. Without dedicated supporters and volunteers, we would not be able to feed the thousands of meal recipients we serve,” noted Beth Shapiro, Executive Director of Citymeals. “Thanks to Chef Psilakis for his generosity today and we look forward to joining forces again at Chefs’ Tribute in June!”

Citymeals on Wheels prepares and delivers weekend, holiday and emergency meals for over 18,000 homebound elderly New Yorkers. More than 60 percent of Citymeals recipients are over 80 years old; 23 percent are over 90; more than 200 have lived at least a century. All recipients are chronically disabled by conditions such as vision loss, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. Nearly all need assistance walking. It is estimated that 66 percent use a cane, 39 percent use a walker and 16 percent use a wheelchair. Citymeals recipients are also isolated: 57 percent live alone; 40 percent rarely or never leave their homes; 8 percent have no one with whom they can talk. Many are also at risk for malnutrition.

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About Citymeals on Wheels: Citymeals on Wheels (citymeals.org) provides a continuous lifeline of nourishing meals and vital companionship to New York City’s homebound elderly. Working in partnership with community-based organizations and senior centers, Citymeals prepares and delivers over 2 million weekend, holiday and emergency meals for more than 18,000 of our frail aged neighbors each year. Last year, over 15,000 individuals volunteered nearly 72,000 hours of their time.

Since its founding in 1981, Citymeals has relied on the generosity of its Board of Directors, the City of New York, sponsors and other designated gifts to cover administrative costs. This ensures that 100% of all public donations will be used entirely for the preparation and delivery of meals.