Annual Chefs' Tribute to Citymeals on Wheels, June 6th, 2016

Last night under a beautiful starry sky, Rockefeller Center was transformed into a spectacular culinary paradise.  It was the 31st annual Chefs' Tribute to Citymeals On Wheels, an organization which provides food and companionship for homebound elderly New Yorkers.  Star chefs from around the world gathered to celebrate and raise money (nearly $1 million!) for this amazing cause.  Each year the event has a different theme and this year it was "Que Rico!" ("how delicious!"), a celebration of Latino cuisine and culture.  The ingredients used at each table were fresh and vibrant with many dishes bursting with flavor from jalapenos, chili, avocado, lime, chorizo, corn, chimichurri, tortillas, pimenton, queso fresco and salsas..  

Below are some favorite dishes and drinks from this wonderful evening.  Que Rico!!

So good it's evil!!

Old Cuban Cocktail made with Zacapa rum, mint, lime juice, cane sugar & Perrier Jouet Champagne

Miss Lily's sorrel glazed spare ribs with scotch bonnet kimchi

Sauteing the maine lobster for Jean-Georges' dish of lobster, corn, romesco sauce and lime

Rainbow Room Bar's short rib sliders with red bean stew, chili aioli, avocado and pickled red cabbage

Juan Manuel Barrientos from El Cielo in Miami, FL serving his fresh and vibrant ceviche of scallop

Coconut flan with crispy coconut and sea salt by Markus Glocker of Batard paired so well with rum

Cafe Boulud's spiced yellowfin tuna with hearts of palm, taro root, jalapeno and chimichurri.  Great with the Courvoisier cocktail!

A delicious cocktail made from Courvoisier Cognac

Little Cupcake Bakeshop cupcakes

Gotham Bar & Grill's Argentinan red prawn ceviche with mango, avocado, papaya, chili and citrus emulsion

Tocqueville's house cured salt cod croquettes with a lemon garlic aioli

Salmon Ceviche

Check out this ice cube used for the Citadelle Gin cocktail!!

Dos Caminos' roasted plaintain empanadas went fabulously with the Citadelle gin cocktail made with pineapple juice, apricot liqueur, ginger syrup and lemon juice.  Topped with a piece of yummy candied ginger

Empellon Taqueria's Oaxacan corn esquites

Cold avocado soup with crab by Carolina Bazan of Ambrosia in Santiago, Chile

Marc Forgione's lamb barbacoa, guajillo and black garlic tortilla

Charlie Palmer's charred baby octopus, squid ink, puffed rice and corn pico de gallo.  Aureole Restaurant

Canoas with smoked brisket, pickled shallots and torched mozzarella from Spice It Up in Aspen, Colorado

Lieu Dit winery owner Eric Railsback shows off his delicious Rose wine

Jimmy Schmidt of Morgan's In The Desert, La Quinta, CA serving his cilantro crusted sea scallops with chile chimichurri, salsa, sweet corn and epazote black bean cake

The wine list.... Los Vinos! 

The Wine Chef,  enjoying the evening!