Homebound elderly in Harlem were in for a special treat when Chef Daniel Boulud of DANIEL, Chef Marcus Samuelsson of Red Rooster Harlem and Streetbird and Tren’ness Woods-Black of Sylvia’s knocked on their doors with an exceptional meal as part of the Chefs Deliver for Citymeals program. Citymeals is a beneficiary of the upcoming second annual Harlem EatUp! festival season taking place this May.
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 and cook for themselves. Chefs Deliver was launched in January 2014 by Citymeals Board of Directors Co-President Boulud and Citymeals Board Member Chef Charlie Palmer.
For today’s special delivery, Red Rooster Harlem and Streetbird cooked up fried boneless chicken thighs, mashed potatoes and collard greens. Sylvia’s paired meatloaf with gravy, garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans. Boulud provided 150 desserts that accompanied every meal. Boulud, Samuelsson and Woods-Black then personally delivered some of the meals to Harlem residents in need, along with Beth Shapiro, executive director of Citymeals. “Taking care of our neighbors through food and hospitality is a Sylvia’s tradition,” commented Woods-Black. “We are so pleased to join forces with our longtime friends and partners at Citymeals to share this tradition with them and our valued elderly community.”
The delivery marked the one-month countdown to the Harlem EatUp! festival’s second year. The four-day festival, May 19-22, 2016, will celebrate the food, culture and spirit of East, Central and West Harlem. Proceeds from the festival will benefit Citymeals-on-Wheels and Harlem Park to Park. Tickets are currently available to purchase at HarlemEatUp.com.