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Randy Smith, Danielle Lynn Valenti Smith, Nick Valenti.
Daniel Boulud, Kathleen Turner.
Citymeals on Wheels Raises $900,000 To Feed Homebound Elderly On June 6, nearly 60 culinary stars from across the globe gathered for ¡Qué rico! Celebrating Latino Cuisine and Culture, the 31st annual chefs’ tribute to Citymeals on Wheels. The evening featured top Latino and Latina chefs from the New York area and from outside the city and country as well the founding chefs. Chefs came from Aspen, Colombia, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Puerto Rico, and Santa Fe. The combined legends of the local, national, and international worlds of culinary arts celebrated the rich flavors of Latino cooking as they created dishes for more than 1,000 guests at tasting stations throughout Rockefeller Center Plaza. The proceeds will help defray costs for nutritious meals delivered to homebound, elderly New Yorkers.
chefs Robert Aikens, Jarett Appell, Jonathan Benno, Aaron Bludorn, Hugo Bolanos, Daniel Boulud, Richard Capizzi, Scott Conant, Franck D. Deletrain, Marc Forgione, Sean Forgione, Andre Fowles, Michael Gabriel, Markus Glocker, Chris Lee, Danielle and Salvatore LoBuglio, Ryan Lory, Masaharu Morimoto, Charlie Palmer, Carolina Perego, Antonio Prontelli, Jon Rohland, Joachim Splichal, Bradley Stellings, Jacques Torres, Silvana Vivoli, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten who presented their own interpretations of Latino fare. Nick Valenti, the CEO of Patina Restaurant Group, was the evening’s grand host. The event was chaired by Beverly and Dan Bartfeld, Ninah and Michael Lynne, Laura and John Pomerantz, Randi and Dennis Riese, and Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch. Official sponsors of Citymeals on Wheels are American Airlines and FIJI Water. Event sponsors included Grace, Unimac Graphics, and Rockwell Group, Patina Restaurant Group, The Riese Organization, The M.O. & M.E. Hoffman Foundation, Bedell Cellars, VerTerra, Belvedere Vodka, Citadelle Gin, Courvoisier Cognac, El Tesoro, Novo Fogo Cachaça, Zacapa Rum, ARC Document Solutions, Luxury Worldwide Transportation, Room Mate. Thrilled about the evening’s success was the Citymeals executive director, Beth Shapiro, who explained, “The influence of the Latino world on New York is undeniable. This rich heritage permeates every aspect of city life including our art, music, literature, film, fashion and, oh yes, the food! ¡Qué rico! celebrates this wonderful culture as well as the thousands of chefs and restaurateurs who have committed themselves to Citymeals over the years. Their continued support has helped us create a lifeline of meals and companionship for vulnerable older New Yorkers.”
Sean Forgione, Larry Forgione, Marc Forgione.
Founding chefs Larry Forgione, Alfred Portale, Wolfgang Puck, Stephan Pyles, and Jimmy Schmidt, and celebrated
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