The staff at the Wallingford Community Center has turned a potential crisis into an opportunity for local seniors to enjoy gourmet meals during March.

Three local caterers have agreed to compete in a competition based on the television show Chopped to provide meals for an estimated 100 local residents who depend on the lunchtime meals served at the center.

The local chefs answered the plea from center officials to turn weekly donations of from QFC and other markets into nutritious meals for the seniors while the kitchen manager was on a well-deserved vacation. David Boyd of Down to Earth Cuisine, with Rachel Duboff of Thyme to Nourish made lunch March 17; Rebecca Wolfe of Rebecca’s in the Kitchen cooked March 22, and Wallingford businessman Richard Gawronski of Richard’s Artistic Framing, aided by Amy Singer of the Wallingford Center, will be providing lunch on Friday, March 24.

Executive Director Claire Petersky said their regular kitchen manger—Bob Robbins—serves more than 4,200 meals every year on a budget of less than $3,900 thanks in part to generous donations from businesses in the community. Bob generates his weekly menu after organizing the fresh donations from local grocers and bakers every Monday morning.

“The professionals will be challenged to turn a mystery basket into three separate lunch menus,” said Petersky with a smile. “We’ll have our diners evaluate each lunch, and the highest score will win – not just fame, but a bottle of a fine Oregon Pinot Noir from our sponsor, Lazy River Vinyards.”

Everyone in the community, not just seniors, is welcome to come to the Wallingford Community Senior Center to enjoy these lunches and vote for their favorite chef. The Center requests a $4 donation for seniors, $6 for the general public. Lunch is served between noon and 1:00pm.

More information on the services provided by the Wallingford Senior Center is available by calling 206-461-7825 or online at www.wallingfordseniors.org.