Steven Satterfield's Team Was Supported by Giving Kitchen

Steven Satterfield is the executive chef and co-owner of Miller Union in Atlanta, Georgia. He spoke to Giving Kitchen about a teammate who received aid.

You recently had a teammate get support from Giving Kitchen. Did anything from that experience stand out or surprise you?

I really appreciate the confidentiality. Even though we are deeply involved with helping him through a tough time, GK makes sure that the candidate is protected and confirms that any information shared is approved by the employee first. This is really important because it establishes boundaries and helps secure the individual who is already suffering, with a sense of security.

As an employer, can you describe how you felt after your teammate was awarded financial assistance?

I can say that the process seems very fair and well-considered. GK does not just throw money at people with an issue. There is an in-depth procedure that involves a lot of documentation and confirmation, both of which are very important before awarding financial aid. If there is a true need, then aid will come their way.

How important are Giving Kitchen’s services in today’s restaurant world?

Now more than ever, restaurant employees are facing a lot. COVID scares, unexpected hardships, eviction notices, etc. We are able to offer health insurance for employees, but sometimes that’s not enough. If people are financially strained and worried about feeding their kids or paying for transportation because they don’t have a car, sometimes their power bill or grocery trip needs to come first. GK understands this and helps in numerous ways to keep restaurant workers on their feet. The industry is challenging enough, there is no need for these hard-working individuals to face undue hardships on their own.

What would you say to a food service worker in crisis who may be hesitant to ask for help?

Don’t hesitate to ask for help. GK is willing and waiting to answer the calls. It may take a little time to pull together all of the information for an application, but it is 100% worth the process, and it is managed quickly and efficiently. Our employee who needed help speaks Spanish and GK was able to communicate directly to him in his primary language to explain and comfort him during an incredibly difficult time. As employers that care about our team, we are beyond grateful for this service.