MAKING A DIFFERENCE – The Giving Kitchen
The Giving Kitchen is a non-profit a 501(c) (3) that provides emergency assistance grants to Atlanta’s restaurant community facing unanticipated hardship. It is a way to do for others what the community came together to do for Ryan and Jen Hidinger.
Ryan, a well-known Atlanta chef, and his wife, Jen, had always dreamed about opening their own restaurant and in January 2009, they started their Supper Club Staplehouse. Every Sunday, they would host 10 guests for dinner at their home.
On Labor Day weekend in 2009, 200 guests showed up for their “Tacos at Hidingers’”, which included a whole pig roast, handcrafted drinks, fresh tacos and scratch pozole. That event was the beginning of many larger and more successful dinner parties and events in partnership with other industry contacts and friends.
But everything changed on December 21, 2012, Ryan was diagnosed with stage IV gallbladder cancer and given six months to live, he was 35 years old. The plan for Staplehouse to become their dream restaurant was put on permanent hold.
Although they had insurance coverage, paying for cancer treatments that were not covered, plus the normal living expenses, placed the couple in a very tenuous financial situation.
It was during that time that their friend Ryan Turner offered to help by helping organize a fundraising event. Family and friends went to work and planned the first “Team Hidi” fundraiser. The benefit was organized to raise money to help cover Ryan’s cancer treatments. Close to 900 people attended the gala, and in one night, $275,000 was collected!
This money was a blessing to them, Jen was able to quit her job and focus on caring for Ryan as he began his cancer fight. But, the benefit gala also propelled the creation of The Giving Kitchen, which Ryan and Hidi co-founded in 2013.
The assistance grants the Giving Kitchen provides cover basic living expenses, care-related travel expenses, and funeral expenses for those who meet defined criteria.
Throughout 2013, Ryan had a chance to be part of the growth of what now is his legacy, unfortunately, Ryan died on January 9, 2014. Jen continues to build on that goodwill her and her husband received and to date, The Giving Kitchen has awarded over $650,000 in grant money to close to over 360 recipients and they expect to award almost $500,000 by the end of this year.
The Restaurant industry is unique due to its variable hours, traditionally lower wages and its very physical nature, The Giving Kitchen is making a huge, positive difference in the lives of many in the industry that are faced with hardship.
What about Ryan and Hidi’s dream? Well, Staplehouse, their dream restaurant opened for business in September 2015! Staplehouse is a for-profit subsidiary of The Giving Kitchen and 100% of the restaurant’s proceeds go to support the charity’s mission. Bon Appétit magazine named Staplehouse “Best Restaurant of 2016.”
Jen stated during one of the many interviews for stories about The Giving Kitchen, “it’s humbling to be able to stand every single night at the restaurant we dreamed of, welcoming guests with open arms just the way we always intended.” On a wall in the restaurant’s kitchen is a quote from Ryan: “Anything long-lasting or worthwhile takes time and complete surrender.”
For more information about The Giving Kitchen and Team Hidi’s fundraising activities, go to: www.thegivingkitchen.org
