Harlem soul food queen Melba Wilson is moving her famous chicken and waffles to Central Park, where skaters at Wollman Rink this summer can get a taste of Uptown cuisine.
The charismatic restaurant owner is excited about her latest venture.
“Melba Wilson: born, bred and buttered in the village of Harlem, but now I’m also at Wollman Rink,” she said.
For the first time ever, Wollman Rink is hosting skaters on four wheels instead of blades. Now, they’ll have comfort food to go along with their disco fever.
Melbas is situated on the overlook with a spectacular view of disco skaters. The aroma from the mobile kitchen wafts all the way down to the rink.
Stephanie Tomlin, the vice president and general manager of Wollman Rink, knew it would be a big hit.
“If Wollman is New York’s rink and Central Park is New York’s park, then Melba’s outpost at Wollman Rink is New York’s Kitchen,” Tomlin said.
Inside the mobile kitchen, I strapped on my apron and learned from Melba herself to see how the magic of comfort food happens.
Melba and I dropped the chicken in the fryer and made our own waffles. And in no time – voila!