BY BETH DEDMAN
Celebrated chefs from around the world joined forces with Citymeals on Wheels to raise $1 million at the 23rd Annual Sunday Supper March 8 at Restaurant DANIEL.
All of the money from the fundraiser will go to preparing and delivering more than 127,000 meals to NYC’s homebound elderly.
“This is one of my favorite nights of the year, and our entire team at Restaurant DANIEL is proud to support Citymeals on Wheels and its essential work,” Chef Daniel Boulud said. “I was thrilled to welcome six award-winning guest chefs in the kitchen tonight, who shared what Citymeals provides homebound elderly New Yorkers each day – nourishment, comfort and joy.”
Citymeals on Wheels prepares and delivers over 2 million weekend, holiday and emergency meals every year to more than 18,000 elderly New Yorkers who cannot shop or cook for themselves. Citymeals on Wheels has delivered more than 60 million meals across the five boroughs since it began in 1981.
Guest Chefs Emma Bengtsson, Anna Bolz, Alexandre Gauthier, Noel Jelfs, Julien Royer and Nicholas Tang joined Boulud in the kitchen to prepare and serve a multi-course menu at an intimate dinner that would raise money for the cause.
Over the 23 years that Boulud has held the Sunday Supper, he has raised nearly $12 million. The evening included live and silent auctions featuring one-of-a-kind travel and dining experiences, specialty gourmet selections and rare and large format wines. The live auction lots included trips to Victoria Falls, a culinary tour of Singapore and many more opportunities.
“The annual Sunday Supper is a tradition we are grateful to continue with Chef Boulud and the incredible guest chefs who come together, each year, to support our mission nourishing the city’s most vulnerable population,” said Beth Shapiro, Executive Director of Citymeals on Wheels. “Through their generosity, and the support of our sponsors and guests, Citymeals can ensure our frail aged neighbors always have a nourishing meal.”
The courses included selections such as Foie Gras Tartlet with Sea Buckthorn Gelée, King Crab with Nashi Pear, Celery, Coriander and Noisette Piedmonte Hazelnut Infused Opalys Chocolate Salted Caramel and Praliné— all of which were paired with wines selected by the head sommelier at Restaurant DANIEL Raj Vaidya.
The evening also honored Citymeals Board Vice Chair Joseph M. Cohen for his outstanding generosity and contributions to the organization over the last 20 years and longtime Citymeals supporter Donald Tober. Ellen and Robert S. Grimes and Lisa Rosenblum served as the Sunday Supper event co-chairs.
