Event Raises Funds To Provide Meals for Homebound Elderly New Yorkers

(Thursday, February 16, 2017 – New York, NY) – Chef Shane Lyons, Executive Chef for Distilled, and the Citymeals Culinary Circle hosted their inaugural fundraising event at which chefs, restaurateurs, food and beverage entrepreneurs, and culinary visionaries gathered for an evening of collaborative discussion on the creative processes behind building a food brand. “The Lifestyle of Food,” emceed by Adam Gertler, a chef, würstmacher and brand ambassador for Dog Haus restaurants, and TV personality who competed on Food Network Star, raised over $6,000 for Citymeals on Wheels, which provides a continuous lifeline of nourishing meals and vital companionship to New York City’s homebound elderly. The event took place at Distilled in Manhattan.

Guests heard from some of New York’s most established chefs about how they have to adapt (or don’t) their signature styles and brands to the changing times. Emerging chefs and foodie entrepreneurs discussed how they keep their brands fresh in the competitive 2017 food scene and what role social media plays in their process. The evening included a live auction, and a panel discussion as well as cocktails, canapés and the chance for one-on-one conversation with food stars.

Panelists included Citymeals on Wheels Board of Directors Co-President Chef Daniel Boulud; Drew Nieporent, Myriad Restaurant Group and Citymeals on Wheels Board Member; Francine Cohen, EIC/Consultant, Inside F&B; Chef Leah Cohen, Owner-Chef, Pig & Khao; Joe Fedele, Co-Founder, FreshDirect; Susie Fogelson, President, Fogelson & Co; and Julianne Feder, Private Chef & thegastronerd.com.

“Citymeals is so fortunate to have such incredible partners in the NYC culinary community,” noted Beth Shapiro, Executive Director of Citymeals on Wheels. “I’d like to thank Shane, Adam, all of our panelists, and the entire Citymeals Culinary Circle who continue to let their passion for food fuel our mission to nourish the city’s homebound elderly.”

The Citymeals Culinary Circle comprises New York City chefs, restaurateurs, food writers, editors and culinary industry influencers. Members work together to strengthen support of isolated older New Yorkers, while mentoring each other.

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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.