Citymeals-on-Wheels Silver Spoons Event
The Silver Spoons event to benefit Citymeals-on-Wheels in NYC’s Rockefeller Center included a great group of chefs, drinks and foods. The 25th annual Chefs’ Tribute to James Beard brought together some of the world’s greatest chefs to prepare dishes that paid homage to the dishes they prepared years ago at the same event.
I attended through Foodbuzz on behalf of Nature’s Pride, a company whose concept and product I strongly believe in. I attended the Foodbuzz Festival last November on behalf of Nature’s Pride, and my recipe that won me the role of Bread Ambassador is featured on their Breadbuzz page.
I don’t know where to begin or what to say.
The evening was magical. It is so beautiful to see so many chefs come together for such a great cause. Citymeals-on-Wheels, according to their site, “provides a continuous lifeline of nutritious food and human company to homebound elderly New Yorkers in need, helping them live with dignity in their own homes and communities.”
My nonna is in her late 80’s and still lives by herself in Trieste, Italy. While we are trying hard to get her to move here permanently, she is just not ready to give up her independence. In Italy she can leave her apartment and walk to cafes, the market, etc, which she would be unable to do here. I call her once a week, but I often worry that it isn’t enough, and I imagine that her life must be lonely when she is there. I love that Citymeals-on-Wheels offers a practical solution for homebound elderly New Yorkers, and it was so moving to see these chefs come together for this benefit.
Note: For some bizarre and horrible unknown reason my camera was not working the entire evening. Luckily a friend at Nature’s Pride lent me her digital camera so I could properly share this event with all fo you.
The evening started off with a bang, and the Nature’s Pride table was packed from the beginning, probably because they had some of the best hits!
Highlights of the evening?
Nature’s Pride 12 Grain Bread Tea Sandwich with dill marinated salmon. The bread was really highlighted in this dish, and it is still a favorite of mine.
Claudia Fleming of The North Fork Table & Inn discussing her technique for making the strawberry rhubarb crisp with Nature’s Pride Honey-Oatmeal crumb. She described the bread as quite sweet because it is made with honey and said that the whole wheat [flour] makes it much sweeter than white flour”. It made for an incredible topping in this dessert, and I can say from experience that the Nature’s Pride Stone Ground Whole Wheat with Honey is delicious toasted up with some fresh peanut butter and a few banana slices…
Live music! They first played some latin music and later jazz tunes. It made the experience complete. The band is Noah Bless Music.
VIP pass. When our feet hurt and we needed a bit of a breather we headed to the VIP area to just chill. The room had cool, relaxing colors and lots of beautiful people. And good champagne.
Wolfgang Puck at the very start of the event picking apart duck with his fingers and hamming it up for the camera.
Lots of smoke at the Jean Georges station, which had to be moved to another location. Word on the street is that they caused a small fire. I didn’t think it would be right to take a photo, but it just goes to show that even the most experienced chefs can have kitchen blunders.
Vivoli gelato, which brought me right back to Florence, Italy. Ho parlato Italiano tre o quattro volte con alcune persone!
The famous NOBU! I was starstruck. I have been to his restaurant in Milano and Mykonos and both were phenomenal. I tried 2 of his hand rolls, and stared at him in awe as he worked his magic. The hand rolls were phenomenal.
Torre Del Saraceno’s Paccheri in Two Bowls: Mozzarella & Meatball. I am not sure if I loved this so much because it was tasty or because I got to speak Italian! I was so excited about the Italian that I ate this without thinking too much about the flavors. The sauce was remarkable though. I want the recipe!
The Hurricane Club‘s Number 17 Shot. Gorgeous presentation, amazing flavor combination, was strong yet light.
Best crab cake ever, of Jimmy Schmidt’s Rattlesnake in Detroit.
The pastry chef at Wolfgang Puck was personable and friendly, and T and I had a nice quick chat with her. Her flourless chocolate cake cookies were so delicious I wrapped a couple in a napkin to take home to PB.
Tina! I found out by chance that Tina was attending the event as well, and it was so nice to spend the evening with a friend tasting and drinking together.
And I saved the funniest for last.
Todd English.
Is funny.
He was flirting with these girls when we walked up to him. He was very nice and friendly… maybe a bit too friendly? I had no idea he would be like that! Love that he stood around for hours chatting with everyone. He seemed to have more than a few groupies! I tried to take a sneaky iPhone shot of them, but it didn’t come out.
Here is a photo of he and I though (taken by Tina):
I love that Nature’s Pride is not only about promoting their natural bread, but they are about supporting the community. I love that they sponsored this event. The whole experience was really incredible to me. The guests were having fun, the chefs were having fun, everyone was having fun.. all for a good cause.
A complete list of chefs and the dishes and drinks they prepared can be found here.
Thank you to Nature’s Pride & Foodbuzz for allowing me to share this incredible experience with you.
Other fun foodie events:
Kelly’s Cake Off For A Cause
Foodbuzz Presents Outstanding in the Field
The Tasting Pavilion Experience
Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
20 Responses to “Citymeals-on-Wheels Silver Spoons Event”
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haha, i said this on tina’s post, but it sounds like you are having a much more fun day than me 🙂 all of that food looks and sounds incredible and such an amazing experience!
What an event! SO cool. I love the strawberry rhubarb crisp. I just made one of these. I never would have thought to use bread in the topping. I don’t think I’ve ever actually had their bread before. I will have to look for it at the food store. Hope you’re doing well today pretty lady 🙂
SO PROUD OF YOU!
Amazing recap! That looks like so much fun- and for such a great cause.
What a great event! Looks like an unforgettable evening 🙂
aaah, i went to vivoli!!! awesome 🙂 and what an amazing event!
and a little too friendly, or so I’ve heard… 😉
Way to get hit on by Todd English, chica 🙂
This looks like so much fun. My mom was really involved in Meals on Wheels in Memphis and it’s a great cause. That salmon appetizer looks especially good.
makes me hungry! as usual! Looks like so much fun!
Love hearing about the same event through two different bloggers. The cause is so great. I’m so happy you were able to attend and share it with us 🙂
Yum! What a great event! Everything looked delish
Looks like you guys had a great time!! fun fun 🙂
Sabrina–It was great to meet you last night! As one of the event organizers and Citymeals-om-Wheels employee, I really appreciate how well you captured the event. And yes, the chef Gennaro Esposito who made the paccheri made a great sauce. If you would like some tips about the sauce, I am happy to ask him and pass it onto you.
I was touched to hear about your nonna! It is very true what you say about her independence. As someone who fundraises for the homebound elderly, I have seen how important it is for them to continue the lifestyle that they have always lived. Many are creatures of habit and hold onto what is familiar to them, especially where they live. In the end, I know guests spend $600-$1,250 to attend events like Silve Spoons and well-known chefs donate their time, staff and food for the evening because they care about the service Citymeals-on-Wheels provides. It warms my heart to see what a supportive community we have. Thank you for being a part of that community that gives our cause recognition!
I can’t believe I didn’t manage to run into you once during the whole darn thing! It was pretty massive, I guess. What a fabulous party! I’m already trying to figure out how I can go again next year!
Looks like a fun time, love the little drinks in the lime.
You couldn’t have grown up anywhere near Boston and NOT known Todd English’s reputation for the ladies?! Great recap, great pictures, sounds like a wonderful time!
this looks like a really great event for a good cause!
the food looks amazing.
What an insanely cool event to attend! It looked amazing!
This sounds amazing. SO wish I’d been there with you ladies!
Great Post! sorry the camera did work out 🙂 you can relieve the moment with us! the event was so awesome! its definitely the best one ive been to in nyc. lucky rice was pretty awesome but this one definitely blew it out of the water! Hopefully next time we can meet up at these events!
Great post! i love it!