On June 12, chefs from around the world — including several from Patina Restaurant Group — gathered at Rockefeller Center in New York City for the 33rd annual Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals on Wheels, hosted by longtime Patina executive Nick Valenti.
The event was attended by 1,000 guests, who enjoyed a 14-piece band playing tunes from the 1920s and 30s, swing and tap dancers, a strolling banjo player and more. The event raised nearly $900,000 for the nonprofit organization, which provides hand-delivered meals to the city’s homebound elderly.
“We are so happy to be the host for the 33rd year of this tasting event,” Valenti said at the event. “Since its inception, Chefs’ Tribute has raised over $21 million to prepare and deliver meals to older New Yorkers in need.”
Patina Restaurant Group, which operates the outdoor plaza on which the event was held, spearheaded the execution of the event. The Rockefeller Center operations team — led by Geoff Gljiva, vice president of operations; Jeff Keltz, event sales manager; and Antonio Prontelli, executive chef of the Rock Center Campus — was responsible for logistics while Patina chefs Andy Bennett and Michael Gabriel (The Sea Grill), Prontelli and David Buico (Rock Center Café), Jarett Appell and Silvana Vivoli (Stella 34 & Vivoli Gelato), Richard Diamonte (The Grand Tier Restaurant), Richard Capizzi and Shea Gallante (Lincoln Ristorante) and Joachim Splichal (Patina) contributed to the evening’s culinary offerings.
Notable chefs such as Jonathan Waxman, Larry Forgione, Daniel Boulud, Scott Conant and Dale Talde also participated as culinarians from more than a dozen countries around the world contributed an international flair.
PHOTO CAPTION: Delaware North Co-CEO Jerry Jacobs Jr. (second from right) joins Patina Restaurant
Group’s Nick Valenti (far right) and Joachim Splichal (far left) at the Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals on Wheels. Also pictured is Splichal’s son, Stephane.