NYC Aging Hosts 2nd Annual Plant-Forward Cookoff Featuring Chefs From Older Adult Centers
Editor’s note: We covered last year’s first annual plant-based cook-off, with this year’s event being a plant-forward event instead.
See below for a video and photos from this event:
NYC Aging Hosts Second Annual Plant-Forward Cook-Off
Cooking competition features the high-quality meals older New Yorkers can receive at their local older adult center
Three celebrity chefs served as judges for the cook-off
New York, NY – At The Venue at City Harvest in Brooklyn, the Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) hosted its second annual Plant-Forward Cook-Off. Eight chefs from older adult centers prepared meals they would serve New Yorkers that not only were nutritious, but incorporated the cultural heritage and traditions of the communities they work in. Three celebrity judges decided the winner of this year’s competition.
“Today’s competition showcased how nutritious food made available to older New Yorkers can also be colorful and taste delicious. By offering cooking lessons, hosting seminars on maintaining a good nutrition diet, and serving healthy meals, the city’s older adult centers are staying true to their mission of elevating the well-being of members—many of whom depend on their local OACs to provide these high-quality foods and services,” said NYC Deputy Mayor Dr. Helen Arteaga.
“We were once again thrilled to bring chefs from our network of older adult centers together for the opportunity to show off their talents,” said NYC Aging Commissioner Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie. “Older New Yorkers should know that when they need a meal, they can receive one that is just as good at an older adult center as their local restaurant, that also meets their cultural and dietary needs. Thank you to everyone who made today’s competition a great success.”
The celebrity judges this year were Abigail Hitchcock, owner of Abigail’s Kitchen; Jay Kumar, owner and chef of LORE; and Watt Sriboonruang, head chef at Rawsome Treats. The dishes were from a variety of cultures including Polish, Korean, Chinese, Puerto Rican, Dominican, and South Asian.
This year’s winners were:
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Korean Community Services Corona Older Adult Center – Vegetable Bibimbap
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Council of People’s Organizations Halal Older Adult Center – Chickpea Curry Medley
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Bronxworks Morris Older Adult Center – Dominican Vegan Sancocho
NYC Aging remains committed to reducing food insecurity among older adults, serving over 10 million meals annually to residents, at older adult centers and through the home delivered meals program. Meals are catered to the communities they serve, offering a variety of options that meet older New Yorkers dietary needs and traditions. For more information, visit nyc.gov/aging or calling Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469).
Editor’s note: At the plant-forward cook-off. Image Credit – NYC Aging
