Local chefs team up to help Sussex County seniors

The annual Top Chef of the Culinary Coast event taking place from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, May 19, at Ivy is already the talk of the town. This friendly competition among some of the area’s best chefs is not only lots of fun, but also the primary fundraiser for our local Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth. In fact, the Top Chef of the Culinary Coast event is the only local food-related event where every penny raised stays right here in Sussex County to benefit Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth.

The generosity of most Cape Region restaurants knows no bounds, and a ticket to the event grants access to their best and most creative cuisine. You stroll. You taste. Sip a little wine. You taste some more. Quaff a brew (or two). Taste yet again while enjoying live music from 2nd Time Around band. Then vote for your favorite in several categories – all while helping to provide nourishing meals to our local homebound seniors in Rehoboth, Lewes and Harbeson. Additional help is provided by the event’s annual presenting sponsor, Meineke Car Care in Lewes.

Armed with wire whisks, spatulas and samples of their finest products, local businesses that have stepped up to the plate this year include Touch of Italy, Café Azafran, Bethany Blues, Ocean View Brewing Co., Crooked Hammock Brewery, Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, Bluecoast Rehoboth, Nassau Valley Vineyards, Hopkins Farm Creamery, Atlantic Liquors, Salt Air, Dewey Beer Company, Ivy, The Backyard, and Lefty’s Alley & Eats. Keep an eye on the Meals on Wheels ad here in the Gazette to see new last-minute additions.

But wait! There’s more! (I love to channel Ron Popeil.) It’s no secret that parking has been an adventure during past Top Chef events, but through the kindness of Alex Pires and team, parking has been opened up at Ivy to accommodate everyone. You can get a sneak peek at some of the features by tuning in to WBOC’s “DelmarvaLife” show at 5 p.m., Friday, May 6, when Touch of Italy’s Bob Ciprietti joins yours truly on TV to cook up a few dishes and reveal even more details about the event. Additional media promotion has been generously donated by Cape Gazette, WMDT47, WGMD 92.7 & 98.5, WOCM 98.1, Radio Rehoboth 99.1 and Southern Delaware Tourism. So many people working together to make Top Chef of the Culinary Coast the premier food event in Sussex County!

Tickets are $75 per person (over 21 only – there will be booze…). Tickets may be purchased by calling Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth at 302-645-7449, or you can drop by the Meals on Wheels office at 32409 Lewes-Georgetown Hwy. (Route 9/404) just west of Five Points. Online purchases are even easier at TopChef2022.eventbrite.com. Each purchase includes two drink tickets. Ivy is on the bay at the west end of Dagsworthy Avenue in Dewey Beach.

Join the generous sponsors, chefs, restaurants, producers and benefactors from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, May 19, at Ivy Restaurant in Dewey Beach for a scrumptious battle to benefit a worthy cause. Who will win? Our local homebound neighbors and seniors for sure! The rest? You decide. I’ll see you there.

Bob Yesbek writes and talks beach eats nonstop. He can be reached at byesbek@capegazette.com.