Chefs compete to benefit Lewes-Rehoboth Meals On Wheels

Thirteen area chefs will compete for the title of top chef. And without a panel of judges, it will be the ticketholders crowning the victors.

Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth is hosting the fourth annual Top Chef of the Culinary Coast event Thursday night, June 8, at Rehoboth Beach Country Club.

The main award given out will be for the top chef of the year. Other recognition will be given for the best reinvention of a Delmarva tradition and a category called “food I couldn’t live without.”

The event runs from 5-8 p.m. and tickets are $50 in advance or $55 at the door.

Each ticket comes with the sampling of food from all the participants — including dessert — as well as two drink vouchers.

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Dogfish Head, Teller Wines and Nassau Valley Vineyards will provide the drinking options.

Chefs from area favorites like DiFebo’s, Fins, Matt’s Fish Camp, Salt Air and others will compete for the food awards.

Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth Director Kathy Keuski said the event has already sold more than 400 tickets.

“Every year it grows more,” Keuski said. “This is probably at least 50 percent more than last year.”

All proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth. The organization feeds the homebound and reduces the need for institutionalization in eastern Sussex County.

Keuski, a 25-year member of the program, said the organization is feeding more than 300 people right now, up from the about 40 or so when she first started in 1991.

Events like the Top Chef competition make that possible.

“We do this so we make sure there’s never a time where we have to tell our people that we can’t feed them,” Keuski said.

The event is open to those 21 years of age and older. Attire is business casual, no jeans.

Entertainment will be provided by Paul Cullen, a personal chef, sommelier and guitarist.

“It’s a really good, fun time,” Keuski said. “You should come hungry because there’s a lot of food.”

For more information on Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth and to learn more about the event, visit mealsonwheels-lr.com.