CITYMEALS ON WHEELS' 39TH ANNUAL CHEFS' TRIBUTE RAISES NEARLY $1,000,000  

Funds raised will deliver 100,000 meals for older New Yorkers in need

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 – New York, NY – Hundreds of guests and over 50 of the country's most notable chefs joined Citymeals on Wheels last night for Wanderlust: the 39th Annual Chefs' Tribute to Citymeals at Cipriani South Street. Thanks to Citymeals' generous supporters, the annual event raised nearly $1 million to deliver 100,000 meals for homebound older New Yorkers.

For 39 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 – "Wanderlust" – invited guests to embark on a global tasting experience with a full evening of food, cocktails and entertainment inspired by this year’s theme. The star-studded chef lineup included Aliyyah Baylor of Make My Cake Bakeshop, Daniel Boulud of Brasserie Boulud, Akwasi Brenya-Mensa of Tatale, José Luis Chavez of Mission Ceviche, Marc Forgione of Respect Hospitality, Larry Forgione of Forgione,  Nadav Greenberg of Or’esh, Alex Guarnaschelli of Butter, Harold Moore of Cafe Commerce, Charlie Palmer of AperiBar, Jeff Kim of Nudibranch, Ming Pu of TANA Restaurant, Sujan Sarkar of Indienne NYC, Michael Vignola of The Corner Store & The Eighty Six, and dozens more.

“Chefs’ Tribute is a powerful reflection of what makes the culinary community extraordinary, coming together once again to support Citymeals and the older New Yorkers we serve," said Beth Shapiro, CEO of Citymeals on Wheels. “We are incredibly grateful to every chef, mixologist, sponsor and guest who joined us in the fight to end elder hunger.”

“Food has the ability to nourish far beyond the plate,” said Chef Daniel Boulud, Chair of Citymeals' Board of Directors. “For nearly four decades, Chefs’ Tribute has shown how chefs can use their craft to support and uplift older New Yorkers throughout the city.”

“One of the most meaningful aspects of Citymeals’ mission is seeing how something simple, like a meal delivered right to the door, can make someone feel remembered,” said Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, Board Member of Citymeals on Wheels. “That sense of care and human connection is what also makes Chefs’ Tribute so special and why it means so much to be part of this event.”

The evening included a special VIP Lounge with exclusive tastings from Francie, Emmett, Nobu Downtown, Amá, Chococo, Number One Caviar and a bar sponsored by House of Suntory. Following the evening’s theme, entertainment represented many continents, from Chinese lion dancers to a New Orleans-style second line brass-band parade and Brazilian samba dancers. Surprise tasting and sipping stations added an extra layer of luxurious exploration to the "Wanderlust" theme.

This year’s participating chefs included, representing North America: Irving Sendra (Lenny's Hotdogs & BonBon); Matt Gostelow (The Acorn); Aliyyah Baylor (Make My Cake Bakeshop); Stefano di Silvestre (Casa Cipriani); Caroline Glover (Annette and Traveling Mercies); Larry & Marc Forgione (Forgione); Harold Moore (Cafe Commerce); Peter Stein (Peeko Oysters); Michelle Wallace (B'tween Sandwich Co.); Daniel Sabia (Wood Fire Food Co). Representing Asia: Ming Pu (TANA Restaurant); Thai Phi (Pink Bellies); Elmer Dulla (familyfriend); Leah Cohen (Pig & Khao); Sujan Sarkar (Indienne NYC); Vijay Bhardwaj (Dhamaka); Jeffrey Kim & Matthew Lee (Nudibranch); Kimmie Mcintosh (MILKFISH Bakeshop). Representing Europe: Daniel Boulud & Christina D’Angelo (Brasserie Boulud); Celine Labaune (Gourmet Attitude Truffles); Jacques Torres (Jacques Torres Chocolate); Charlie Palmer & Vasiliki Vourliotaki (AperiBar); Keith Hernandez (Resorts World New York City); Alfred Portale (Portale Restaurant); Alex Guarnaschelli (Butter); Michael Vignola (The Corner Store); PJ Calapa (Marea); Silvia Garcia-Nevado; Silvana Vivoli (Vivoli il Gelato Florence & Disney Springs); Michael Vignola (The Corner Store). Representing Africa and the Middle East: Akwasi Brenya-Mensa (Tatale); Ayo Balogun (Dept of Culture BK); and Nadav Greenberg (Or'esh). Representing Latin America: Byron Gomez (Bruto); Junior Borges (Nic & Junior's Tavern); Victor Santos & Sachi Statz (Tin Tin); Sarah Thompson (Casa Playa); Miguel Guerra & Tatiana Mora (Mita); Jamilka Borges & Dianne Destefano (Lilith & Giulia); Katie Button (Cúrate Bar de Tapas); Maria Barriga (Oxomoco); Grace Ramirez (La Latina Cocina); José Luis Chavez (Mission Ceviche); Michael Beltran (Ariete); and Juan Manuel Barrientos (El Cielo). In the VIP Lounge: Christopher Cipollone (Francie); Evan Snyder (Emmett); George Tang (Nobu Downtown); Frankie Ramirez (Amá); Chococo; and Number One Caviar.

Bartenders from Dandelion and The Up & Up served bespoke cocktails.

Official sponsors for the 39th Annual Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals were American Airlines and FIJI Water. Additional sponsors included GoldenTree Asset Management as exclusive sponsor of the VIP Lounge, Resorts World New York City, Milbank, Northern Trust andmedia partner Robb Report.

The exclusive spirit sponsor of the VIP Lounge was House of Suntory. Additional beverage sponsors included Tito’s Handmade Vodka, LALO Tequila and Cygnet Gin. The Beverage Chair was Robert Oppenheimer. The 39th Annual Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals was co-chaired by Sabrina & Byron Athans, Beverly & Dan Bartfeld, Alison Blood, Giusy Buonfantino, Stephanie & Aaron Goldman and Danielle Taubman.

The Host Committee was Andrew Friedman, Kenny Lane, Nicole Lockett and Drew Nieporent.