Some of the world’s best chefs are heading to the Big Apple next week for a good cause.

Citymeals on Wheels, a nonprofit that provides meals to homebound elderly residents of New York City, is hosting its 39^th Annual Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals event on Monday, June 8. The walk-around tasting experience will let you sample bites from top chefs such as Daniel Boulud, Alex Guarnaschelli, Charlie Palmer, and more star toques at Cipriani South Street. (Robb Report is a sponsor of the culinary extravaganza.)

This year, the theme of Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals is “wanderlust.” Each of the over 50 chefs on the roster will be sharing dishes inspired by their own heritage and culinary roots, making for an even more personalized tasting experience. As such, guests will be able to test out a variety of cuisines from destinations across the world. There’s also a VIP lounge for an even more exclusive experience during the evening.

For his part, Boulud has been involved in the Citymeals mission since the 1990s, when he first began volunteering to the organization. Since then, the star chef went on to join the Board of Directors, eventually become the Board Chair in 2023. For him, joining the nonprofit felt natural.

“What first drew me to Citymeals was its very direct and human mission—ensuring that our older neighbors are not only nourished, but also feel seen and connected,” he told Robb Report via e-mail. “As a chef, food is our way of caring for people, and Citymeals embodies that in the most meaningful way. Over time, that connection has only deepened through the relationships built—with the team, the volunteers, and the community we serve. Seeing the real impact, meal by meal, year after year, is what continues to strengthen my commitment.”

Boulud has plenty of fond memories with Citymeals, too. One that stood out was the first gala he hosted at Daniel in 1999, where many of his mentors, including Paul Bocuse and Georges Blanc, were in attendance. And they were at the fete not to show off their own culinary talents, but to be honored. “It was a very special moment for me personally, and it set the tone for everything that followed,” Boulud said. Since then, he has thrown a Citymeals Sunday Supper Gala every year to bring together some of the world’s top chefs.

For the 39^th Annual Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals, Boulud opted to highlight his new West Side spot Brasserie Boulud. The team will be serving up a timbale d’homard (a.k.a. a lobster soufflé) with ginger and sauce américaine, a dish that he said reflects both technique and comfort.

Guarnaschelli, of Butter, was inspired by Boulud’s commitment to Citymeals. After participating in many events with the organization over the years, the chef is now also a member of the board. His time spent with the nonprofit has only grown his awareness of what food means to people. For his dishes at the Chefs’ Tribute, he often opts for a vegetarian meal, with the goal of showing just how impactful, and what a source of comfort, a good meal can be.

“I love Chefs’ Tribute because it connects the joy chefs and cooking bring to the people looking for the support in any community,” Guarnaschelli told Robb Report via e-mail. “I love anything where there is a significant amount of fundraising. I like to imagine all the lives that will be changed because of it. I brought my daughter out to pack and deliver meals for Citymeals, and she was astounded by the range of responses she received from the meal recipients. The impact is so powerful. The ask and the necessity of it is so essential.”

Over 50 other chefs will be bringing their talents to the event this year. Those showing off their skills include Nadav Greenberg of Or’esh, Sujan Sarkar of Indienne NYC and Alfred Portale of Portale Restaurant, all part of local Big Apple spots. Miguel Guerra & Tatiana Mora of Mita in Washington, D.C. and Jamilka Borges & Dianne Destefano of Pittsburgh’s Lilith & Giulia are some of those traveling in for the big night.

Citymeals got its start back in 1981, when it began delivering food to homebound New Yorkers across all five boroughs. Since then, the nonprofit has dropped off over two million meals to date, while feeding over than 20,000 recipients annually. All proceeds from Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals ticket sales will go directly to Citymeals and its mission.