U.S. chefs honor French mentors in charity cook

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Top U.S. chefs paid tribute to a dozen of France's culinary masters on Monday, preparing a feast for over 1,000 guests to help raise money to feed some 18,000 homebound elderly living in New York.

Many of the American chefs who participated at the annual fund-raiser for Citymeals-on-Wheels worked and studied in France under the tutelage of luminaries like Paul Bocuse, Jacques Maximin and Roger Verge -- whose French eateries are studded with Michelin stars.

"These are people who have inspired us. For us, these are the big boys," said American chef David Burke, who has worked under Pierre Troisgros, Georges Blanc and Gaston Lenotre.

Each chef prepared two dishes -- one classic recipe and an innovative creation of their own -- for the event which raised almost $1 million for 17-year-old charity Citymeals-on-wheels by selling tickets at $600 a piece.

For example, Daniel Boulud of the restaurant Daniel in New York made a Lyon-style sausage with truffle and pistachio in tribute to Paul Bocuse -- a founder of nouvelle cuisine.

Some of the French honorees jumped in to help as well at the event at the Rockefeller Center.

"I want to contribute because it's such a good cause," said Alain Lenotre, son of famed pastry chef Gaston.

While former culinary students and teachers reunited and guests indulged on scrumptious food, there was a serious undercurrent at the event.

Surging food and gasoline costs have made it tougher for local food programs to feed the needy and there are also more people needing help, said Marcia Stein, executive director with Citymeals-on-Wheels.

"The increase in demand is there," she added.

Stein estimated it cost nearly $7 per food delivery this year, up 40 percent from two years ago.

Moreover, Citymeals-on-Wheels and other local charities have faced steep cutbacks in donations from Wall Street which has amassed billions in losses and laid off thousands of workers in the wake of the housing slump and global credit crunch.

(Reporting by Richard Leong)