For Immediate Release Contact: Cassandra Boyce Director of Marketing and Public Relations [email protected] (302)250-4231

TOP LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CHEFS COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THE 17TH ANNUAL “MEALS WITH THE MASTERS,” SERIES OF CULINARY EVENTS FOR MEALS ON WHEELS DELAWARE

Food Network Canada host, Michael Blackie from Ottawa, CA, Canada François Gagnon from Montréal, QC, Kenny Gilbert from Top Chef - Washington D.C., 2014 James Beard Semi-Finalist Jeffrey Osaka from Denver, CO, 2014 James Beard Semi-Finalist Alexander Seidel from Denver, CO, 2014 James Beard Semi- Finalist Cathy Whims from Portland, OR, and Tyler Wiard from Top Chef – Seattle are just some of the amazing culinary talents who will be participating.

Wilmington, DE (March 11, 2014) – Meals On Wheels Delaware, joined by Marquee Sponsors Capital One, DuPont, and MasterCard, are excited to announce the lineup for the 17th annual “Meals from the Masters” series of culinary events. “Evening with the Masters” kicks off the weekend on Friday April 25th from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm at The Doubletree Downtown located at 700 N King Street in Wilmington, DE 19801. Tickets are $75.00 and guests will be treated to delicious tastings prepared by 45+ top local and regional chefs from Caffe Gelato, Chesapeake Inn, Hotel DuPont - Desserts by Michele Mitchell, Fins Fish House and Raw Bar, Skipjack, Soffritto Italian Grill and many more.

“The 17th annual Meals from the Masters weekend will continue the legacy of offering guests an opportunity to indulge in culinary excellence while raising money in support of Delaware’s homebound seniors,” said Regina Dodds, Director of Events for Meals On Wheels Delaware. “Thanks to the amazing community support, guests will enjoy a lot of exciting enhancements throughout the weekend of events.”

16 Mile Brewery, Brewery Ommegang, Brooklyn Brewery, Dogfish Head Brewery, Troegs Brewing Co. and Victory Brewing Company are just a few of the 20+ breweries who will be participating in the Evening with the Masters craft beer garden, curated by Two Stones Pub.

Evening with the Masters Lead and Notable Sponsors: AstraZeneca, Bunzl, Agilent Technologies and Wilmington University

Free secured parking and discounted overnight accommodations will also be offered by calling the Doubletree Downtown at (302) 655-0400 by mentioning Meals On Wheels or Meals From The Masters.

Also Friday evening, the Cellar Masters’ Wine Auction will be held on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 6:00 – 10:00 pm at the Doubletree Downtown in Wilmington, DE. Tickets are $125 per person and include valet parking, specialty hors d’oeuvres prepared by 2014 James Beard Semi-Finalist Bryan Sikora from La Fia Bistro and premium wine pours by Prestige Beverage Group. Cellar Masters’ Wine Auction tickets typically sell out quickly.

Cellar Masters’ Wine Auction Lead Sponsor: Monterey Enterprises

The weekend will culminate with the Celebrity Chefs’ Brunch on Sunday, April 27th from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Hercules Plaza located at 1313 N Market St in Wilmington. Tickets are $175 per person and guests will get the opportunity to taste unique dishes by international and nationally acclaimed chefs.

Participating Chefs include: Norman Aiken • Juniper • Ottawa, ON Michael Blackie • NEXT • Kanata, ON Kurt Boucher • Rendezvous Café • Denver, CO Hari Cameron • a(MUSE.) • Rehoboth Beach, DE Jay Caputo • Espuma • Rehoboth Beach, DE Stephen Davis • Sodexo • Newton, NJ Brandon Foster • Vesta Dipping Grill • Denver, CO Daniel Fox • Heritage Tavern • Madison, WI François Gagnon • Lunch Insolite • Montréal, QC Kenny Gilbert • Plainfield Country Club • Edison, NJ Roger Herring • Grand Tour • Chicago, IL Cliff Holt • Little Savannah • Birmingham, AL Perry Jermonti • Terranea Resort • Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Clifford Lyness • Brookstreet Hotel •Ottawa, ON Harold Marmulstein • Salty Sow • Austin, TX / Phoenix, AZ Bruce Moffet • Barrington’s and Good Food on Montford • Charlotte, NC Melissa Muller Daka • Bar Eolo and Pastai • , NY Jeffrey Osaka • twelve restaurant • Denver, CO Deb Paquette • Etch • Nashville, TN Davide Pugliese • Wali Nikiti House • Scrub Island, BVI Paul C Reilly • Beat + Bottle • Denver, CO Nathan Rich • Twin Farms • Barnard, VT Alexander Seidel • Fruition Restaurant • Denver, CO Matt Selby • Central Bistro and Bar • Denver, CO Vincent Tropepe • RAW • Brooklyn, NY Parke Ulrich • Waterbar and Epic Roasthouse • San Francisco, CA Cathy Whims • Nostrana • Portland, OR Tyler Wiard • Elway’s Cherry Creek • Denver, CO

Celebrity Chefs’ Brunch Lead Sponsors: AstraZeneca, Bank of America, and Diamond State Party Rentals

“We are so thankful to have the support of so many talented chefs, dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors,” said Mari Considine, Executive Director for Meals On Wheels Delaware. With the tremendous support we receive from our community we are able to make a daily impact on so many Delaware seniors’ lives—a hot meal and a friendly hello can go a long way to lift the spirits of our elderly neighbors.”

“Meals from the Masters” is the largest fundraiser held by Meals On Wheels Delaware each year—raising funds to help support Meals on Wheels programs throughout the entire state. Last year these funds helped to provide and deliver 710,000 hot, nutritious meals to 4,000 homebound seniors statewide.

ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS DELAWARE AND MEALS FROM THE MASTERS:

The mission of Meals On Wheels Delaware is to ensure – through the provision of financial and human resources – that every eligible senior in the State of Delaware receives a hot, nutritious meal in their home.

A nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, Meals On Wheels Delaware is a public/ private partnership between the federal government, the State of Delaware, five meal-providing agencies and thousands of volunteers from corporations, civic, religious and community groups. Additional financial and volunteer resources are made available for agency providers, to ensure that no senior in Delaware is on a waiting list for a hot meal delivered to their home.

Last year, meals on wheels volunteers delivered over 710,000 hot, nutritious meals to 4,000 homebound seniors statewide, along with a gift of health, independence and companionship. In support of that work, the Evening with the Masters (held annually since 2002), Cellar Masters’ Wine Auction (held annually since 2004) and Celebrity Chefs’ Brunch (held annually since 1997) – together with Meals On Wheels Delaware fall fundraisers including Denim & Diamonds, the Celebrity Chefs’ Beach Brunch and Stock Up For Seniors – have raised in excess of $5 million for meal delivery programs in Delaware.

For Tickets and a complete list of participating chefs and restaurants, please visit http://mealsonwheelsde.org.

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