Top Hat Catering helps feed thousands of seniors

Florida Foodie

Chef Delaño Lambertclare has dedicated nearly two decades to helping seniors across Seminole County get nutritious meals for free.

“I worked at the Swan and Dolphin for two and a half years and I wanted to shift and change (away from) corporate life,” Lambertclare said.

After leaving the Disney resort, the chef came to Meals of Wheels of Seminole County.

“I saw this kitchen and the possibilities and I started here under just Meals on Wheels and then started the catering division about a year and a half, two years after I took over here,” he said.

That was the start of Top Hat Catering. The catering service covers everything from weddings to corporate events, with the money feeding back into Meals on Wheels.

“Basically, when I do my price on a catering event, I want to bring at least 40% back return. So that goes back to Meals on Wheels,” Lambertclare said.

Lambertclare also offers cooking classes at the Meals on Wheels kitchen and private classes in people’s homes.

“Sometimes we’ll have wine — you can sit back and I’ll have everybody dig their hands in and get dirty and have a good time,” he said.

The money generated from the catering and cooking classes helps Lambertclare and his staff churn out 2,000 to 3,000 meals daily. The program is primarily for seniors but it also serves schools and daycares.

“Kids are very picky, but you have to put some things on (on the menu) — put chicken nuggets you put hamburgers on there — but then also balance it with like things you cook from scratch,” he said. “You give them chicken fried rice, but like you do in a healthy way with brown rice and things like that. So you kind of trick them.”

Lambertclare said he changes his menu monthly as different seasonal ingredients become available. He added that he enjoys getting feedback from his clients.

“I don’t want them throwing the food away. I want them to actually eat,” he said. “So I’m always testing them out — see if they’ll eat more kale or eat quinoa and things like that.”

On the latest episode of Florida Foodie, Lambertclare talks through all of the services Top Hat Catering offers. He also shows Lisa Bell how to make two of his signature appetizers.

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