Daily hubbub behind Fish On is for a good cause
Sometimes even the best-laid plans can go awry. For example, in this week’s column I had planned to tell you about my interview with WBOC’s video journalist Lindsay Tuchman. As we talked on camera about food trucks and Cape Region dining in general, I quickly learned that Lindsay (in spite of her slim and trim exterior!) is quite the foodie in her own right. In fact, her mom is a partner in 5 Napkin Burger, New York City’s celebrated fine-dining burger chain! Though Lindsay’s heart is most certainly in television journalism, her alter ego sneaks out under the radar to explore everything from taco stands to diners to white tablecloth feasts. Needless to say, we quickly found common ground.
But this is where my original column began to crumble like the proverbial house of cards. When Lindsay and I agreed on our morning meeting at Fish On in Lewes, I forgot that the restaurant’s massive kitchen is the day-to-day ground zero of food preparation, packaging and distribution for our local Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth. When I drove around to the back of the restaurant, I was shocked by the bustle and commotion that transpires there every weekday morning. Cars are scattered everywhere as volunteer drivers stand in line to receive their schedules, to stack rolling carts with hot meals (each one destined for a particular recipient according to his or her dietary restrictions), then insert sealed containers into heat-saving pouches and carry them to their cars to be delivered to homebound citizens living in Lewes, Rehoboth and Harbeson. I was exhausted just watching!
As I elbowed my way through the crowd to get into the building, I found myself face-to-face with Matt Roth (wielding a big spoon and a big smile) and Danielle Gorey (wielding a big clipboard and an equally big smile). Danielle and Matt are the Matt Haley Companies’ prime movers for the Meals On Wheels operations and often arrive on site around 5 a.m. Directing traffic in the controlled chaos of the back hallway was Katie Leister, Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth’s volunteer coordinator. I stood in awe as meal after meal after meal was plated, sealed, marked, identified, rolled, packed and loaded. Quite an operation, this Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth!
The money required to keep this all on track comes entirely from local fundraisers. I have the honor of being a member of the board of directors for the organization, and one of my duties is to help plan and coordinate the events that allow all this daily activity to continue uninterrupted. Our two major fundraisers are the Harry Derrickson Memorial Golf Tournament (now in its 38th year!) held in the fall at Rehoboth Beach Country Club, and the Top Chef of the Culinary Coast competition, now in its fledgling second year. 2015’s Top Chef event will be held at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center Thursday, June 11. An interesting fact is that this is the only Meals on Wheels culinary event where every penny raised stays right here in Sussex County!
And yes, this is all leading up to a big reveal: I’m pleased to be the very first to tell you about an extraordinary three-day dining extravaganza to take place April 21-23. Susan Alexander of Susan Alexander Truffle Products and Black Diamond French Truffles (the largest truffle farm in the U.S.) will appear in person at Fish On Tuesday, April 21, at Lupo di Mare that Wednesday, and finally at Bluecoast Thursday, April 23. She will work with SoDel Concepts’ top chefs to create truffle-laced, multi-course dinners for lucky ticketholders to enjoy. Through the generosity of Ms. Alexander, the Matt Haley Companies and those who attend the gourmet dinners, every bit of the funds raised will keep the early morning beehive of activity going strong for Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth. And our homebound neighbors in Lewes, Harbeson and Rehoboth Beach will be the better for it.
