Press Room
About Giving Kitchen | How It Started | Impact Reporting | Press Releases
Awards + Accolades | Media Mentions | Downloads | Social Media | Videos
About Giving Kitchen
Giving Kitchen is a nonprofit that helps food service workers in crisis. GK provides stability through referrals to a network of low or no-cost community resources. Food service workers who have experienced an injury, illness, housing disaster, or death of a family member can also receive financial assistance to cover living expenses. Learn more on our What We Do page. Check out our boilerplate on our Brand Support page.
What is Giving Kitchen?
Since its inception in 2013, Giving Kitchen has served over 26,000 food service workers and awarded over $14 million to food service workers in crisis.
In 2023, Giving Kitchen served 5,296 food service workers and awarded over $3.56 million to food service workers in crisis.
How It Started
How the fight for one life became an opportunity to serve thousands.
Giving Kitchen grew out of a response to the devastating, stage-four cancer diagnosis of Chef Ryan Hidinger in December 2012. Ryan was well-known in the Atlanta restaurant community, and he and his wife, Jen, were beloved for their supper club called Prelude to Staplehouse, which they hosted for several years as a precursor to opening their dream restaurant.
The response to Ryan’s diagnosis - initially from friends within the restaurant industry, and then quickly from an ever-expanding community across Atlanta - was truly heroic: an outpouring of love and financial support to help with his expenses not covered by insurance.
The community’s overwhelming response to the Hidingers' crisis set the intent, beliefs, and values for Giving Kitchen, which was officially founded in 2013.
Read more about Ryan Hidinger and Giving Kitchen’s origins here.
Chef Ryan Hidinger at a Prelude to Staplehouse event, 2012
Who We Are
Chefs at Charlotte Family Meal 2023 with GK Founder Jen Hidinger-Kendrick and Sr. Director of Field Operations Leah Melnick
We are a food service community meeting crisis with compassion and care.
Our team consists of some of the hardest-working food-lovers you’re likely to encounter. Meet our staff and board of directors.
Impact Reporting
Press Releases
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Giving Kitchen Calls for Urgent Support Amidst Surge in Applications (Dec 17, 2024)
Giving Kitchen Announces New Leadership Transition Following the Passing of Board Chair Bill Brewster (Nov 1, 2024)
Giving Kitchen Activates Emergency Financial Disaster Relief Program (Oct 28, 2024)
Dining With Gratitude to Support Giving Kitchen This October (Sep 16, 2024)
Giving Kitchen Announces Appointment of First-Ever CEO, Allison Padilla-Goodman (Aug 14, 2024)
Giving Kitchen Surpasses Helping 20,000 Food Service Workers (Jul 18, 2024)
Support Giving Kitchen by Dining With Gratitude in October (Jul 2, 2024)
Celebrate and support the food service industry: Non-profit Giving Kitchen is Hosting Second Annual Tasting Event in Nashville (Apr 15, 2024)
Eight Local Chefs Serving Eight Unique Courses : One night supporting local Charlotte food service workers (Mar 19, 2024)
66.5% more dollars awarded to food service workers in 2023 — Giving Kitchen Annual Impact Report (Feb 8, 2024)
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Giving Kitchen Record-Breaking Impact in Quarter 3 (October 16, 2023)
Dine With Gratitude and Raise Critical Funds for the Food Service Industry (September 25, 2023)
Giving Kitchen Celebrates 10 Years of Exponential Growth (July 7, 2023)
Giving Kitchen Experienced Record Breaking Growth and Impact in 2022 (February 7, 2023)
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Giving Kitchen Named in Fast Company’s Second Annual List of “Brands That Matter” (October 31, 2022)
Everyone is talking about suicide prevention in September. Giving Kitchen is doing something about it. (August 31, 2022)
Giving Kitchen awards $6.5 million to 10,000+ food service workers (August 2, 2022)
Giving Kitchen Partners With Unite Us To Expand Stability Network (April 13, 2022)
Giving Kitchen to Host Pop-Up Doc on April 11, 2022, in Peachtree City, GA (April 2022)
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Giving Kitchen’s Stability Network Makes Mental Health a Priority for Food Service Workers (September 2021)
Giving Kitchen Announces Three New Board Members (April 2021)
Giving Kitchen Hosts Pop-Up Doc on April 19 (April 2021)
Georgia Nonprofit Organization Responds to Record High Requests for Help, Announces Series of Virtual Fundraising Events (Feb. 25, 2021)
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For media inquiries, please contact Rebecca Wagner, Sr. Director of Marketing + Communications, at rebecca@thegivingkitchen.org.
For general inquiries, please email info@thegivingkitchen.org.
Awards + Accolades
Fast Company Brands That Matter 2022: Established Excellence: 5-14 Years In Business
James Beard Foundation: Humanitarian of the Year, 2019
Center for Civic Innovation: Civic Impact Award, 2019
Georgia Restaurant Association: Industry Partner of the Year, 2015
Charity Navigator: Encompass Rating - 100 Out Of 100
Our Stories
Giving Kitchen’s story started with Ryan Hidinger and the fight to save one life. Now our story is the fight to serve thousands.
We aim to share our most meaningul stories with the help of a team of writers, photographers, volunteers, and GK clients. Together, we are Giving Kitchen and we help food service workers.
Media Mentions: GK In The News
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Dish Around Town: 16th Annual GRACE Awards Winners Announced (Dec. 10, 2024)
Adventures in Atlanta: The Works to Host Community Feast With First Inaugural SAVOR Dinner (Dec. 9, 2024)
Focus Daily News: Cotton Patch Café Donates $32,072 to Giving Kitchen (Dec. 6, 2024)
Smoke Signals: Michelin Guide: Atlanta’s year two (Dec. 5, 2024)
Rough Draft Atlanta: Taiwanese café and cocktail bar Lucky Star debuts Dec. 6 at Star Metals (Dec. 2, 2024)
Moscow-Pullman Daily News: Gift Giving Made Local (Nov. 28, 2024)
Star-Telegram: Cotton Patch celebrates 35 years, releases new menu (Nov. 23, 2024)
Network Today: Visiting Asheville, Western North Carolina post-Helene? Here’s how tourists can help. (Nov. 19, 2024)
Saveur: Here’s How Restaurant Workers in Asheville and Beyond Are Leading the Way on Hurricane Relief (Nov. 15, 2024)
Smart Meetings: An Update on Hurricane Recovery Across the Southeastern U.S.—and How to Help (Nov. 12, 2024)
Atlanta Business Chronicle: Giving Kitchen taps founding board member as new chair (Nov. 4, 2024)
Main Sail Hotels: Mainsail Lodging & Development Raises $13,500 for Hurricane Helene and Milton Relief (Nov. 4, 2024)
Rough Draft Atlanta: Giving Kitchen activates emergency financial disaster relief program (Oct. 30, 2024)
Nashville Scene: Giving Kitchen Wants You to 'Dine With Gratitude' (Oct. 23, 2024)
Golf.com: I found golf and beer heaven. But now Asheville needs our help (Oct. 17, 2024)
The Burnt Chef Journal: Giving Kitchen: Fighting to serve thousands (Oct. 17, 2024)
Yahoo News: 'Burgers Give Back Day': When you can buy a burger from Farm Burger to help Helene recovery (Oct. 16, 2024)
Patch.com: “Raise the Roof” Hurricane Helene & Milton Relief Event (Oct., 16, 2024)
Times of San Diego: Ted’s Montana Grill Launches Fundraising Campaign for Food Service Workers in Crisis (Oct. 16, 2024)
The Brewer Magazine: BrewDog USA Launches 6 Beers Tied to Charity (Oct. 15, 2024)
Main Sail Hotels: Three Georgia Hotels Hosting Hurricane Helene & Milton Relief Events (Oct. 18, 2024)
The Henderson News: Cotton Patch Café partners with Giving Kitchen to support food service workers nationwide (Oct. 10, 2024)
SRQ Daily: Dining with Gratitude 2024 (Oct. 9, 2024)
Fox 5 Atlanta: NFA Burger named best burger in the state by Reader's Digest (Oct. 7, 2024)
Nashville Scene: Monday Menu: Bartenders, Birthdays and Benefits Edition -- (Oct. 7, 2024)
Yahoo! News: Charlotte restaurateurs had to watch from afar while Helene destroyed their Asheville locations -- (Oct. 4, 2024)
Asheville Citizen-Times: River Arts District, Foundy businesses closed indefinitely after Tropical Storm Helene (Oct. 3, 2024)
Plate: How Holiday Gifts Build Tradition and Drive Revenue for These Chefs (Oct. 3, 2024)
Rough Draft Atlanta: 17 food and drink events to attend around Atlanta in Oct. (Oct. 3, 2024)
Fox 5 Atlanta:Atlanta Bites: Where and what to eat during the month of Oct. | 2024 (Oct. 2, 2024)
Asheville Citizen-Times: Asheville service industry workers reeling after Tropical Storm Helene, seeking relief -- (Oct. 2, 2024)
Deal Town: Join Us in Supporting The Giving Kitchen 🍰 -- (Oct. 2, 2024)
Atlanta News First (WANF): New Fall Breakfast Menu with Snooze A.M. Eatery -- (Oct. 1, 2024)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: More than 12 food and drink events to check out this Oct. in metro Atlanta -- (Oct. 1, 2024)
QSR Magazine: KFC partners with Giving Kitchen -- (Sept. 25, 2024)
Sportskeeda: Freddie Freeman's Net Worth as of 2024? -- (Sept. 24, 2024)
Mainsail Lodging & Development:Three Can't-Miss Oct. Foodie Events at Epicurean Atlanta -- (Sept. 18, 2024)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Family remembers Waffle House CEO as 'always focused on lifting up others' -- (Sept. 11, 2024)
Only In Your State: Word On The Street Is That Staplehouse Serves The Best Food In Georgia -- (Sept. 7, 2024)
365 Atlanta Traveler: Zunzi's Supports CURE Childhood Cancer in Sept. -- (Sept. 5, 2024)
Journeys to Leadership Podcast: Time & Complete Surrender: Jen Hidinger-Kendrick's Journey (Sept. 4, 2024)
Simply Buckhead: Grease For Good (Aug. 29, 2024)
Eater LA: An LA Fine Dining Chef’s Journey From Heartbreaking Closure to New Michelin-Starred Reality (Aug. 19, 2024)
Eater Atlanta: What It Takes to Make One of Atlanta’s Best Smash Burgers (Aug. 19, 2024)
Atlanta Business Journal: Restaurant workforce nonprofit The Giving Kitchen names first CEO (Aug. 14, 2024)
Rough Draft Atlanta: Giving Kitchen appoints Allison Padilla-Goodman as first CEO (Aug. 14, 2024)
Ledger-Enquirer: Owner of new Midtown Commons restaurant offers ‘guilty-free’ dining for Columbus (Aug. 2, 2024)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Restaurant server finds strength and support in cancer battle (Jul. 30, 2024)
Atlanta Business Journal: The Giving Kitchen sees 'asks for help' rise nearly 20% (Jul. 19, 2024)
Metro Atlanta CEO: Grand Tasting Alpharetta: Foodie Experience Comes to The Hotel at Avalon Aug. 8, Presented by Taste of Atlanta (Jul. 19, 2024)
Wilson County Source: Nashville's Best Piña Colada Crown Up for Grabs at White Limozeen’s 2nd Annual Throwdown (Jun. 18, 2024)
KUNC: NPR News: Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern speaks about his sobriety and advocacy at Aspen food event (Jun. 29, 2024)
AJC: Atlanta restaurants used pandemic lessons to survive the water crisis (Jun. 6, 2024)
Greenville Journal: Forces of Philanthropy: euphoria (Jun. 5, 2024)
Atlanta Eater: How Much Money Have Atlanta Restaurants Lost From the Water Main Break (Jun. 3, 2024)
Jon Ossoff Press Release : Sen. Ossoff Delivering Resources to Expand Financial Assistance to Service Workers (May 15, 2024)
Simply Buckhead: Food That Rocks returns to Sandy Springs benefiting local charities (Apr. 25, 2024)
Resy Blog 20 Questions with JenChan’s Emily Chan (Apr. 15, 2024)
Whosonthemove: Euphoria announces 2024 Festival line-up + donates $100K to other nonprofits (Apr. 10, 2024)
Disharoundtown: Zunzi’s Leap into Spring with Zunzifest benefiting Giving Kitchen (Apr. 3, 2024)
Que Pasa Media: Clínica médica gratis para empleados de restaurantes (Apr. 2, 2024)
Foodtank.com: 20 organizations Cultivating the Food Movement in Atlanta (Apr. 2, 2024)
Ideasstream Public Media: Cleveland bartender shares sobriety journey and work to help others (Apr. 12, 2024)
Axios Charlotte: Charlotte’s top chefs are collaborating on an eight-course meal for a good cause (Mar. 27, 2024)
Nashville Scene: Giving Kitchen’s Tennessee Tasting Returns (Mar. 27, 2024)
WIS10 Charlotte: Exploring Charlotte’s culinary scene with Unpretentious Plate (Mar. 26, 2024)
Nashville Lifestyles: Swig Cocktail Competition 2024 (Mar. 25, 2024)
Rutherford Source: 15th Annual Iron Fork Returned Apr. 4th (Mar. 17, 2024)
QSR Magazine: CSR in Restaurants: How to Make an Impact While Making a Difference (Mar. 11, 2024)
Roughdraft Atlanta: Women + Wine: Providing more opportunities for women in the wine industry (Mar. 10, 2024)
Dealtown: Bartaco Secret Taco Announcement (Mar. 7, 2024)
WSB-TV Atlanta: New Georgia mental health awareness program serving up education, resources in restaurants and bars (Jan. 31, 2024)
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11Alive Atlanta: Food service workers in crisis receive assistance thanks to Atlanta nonprofit (December 19, 2023)
Liquor Awards: The Best of 2023 (December 7, 2023)
Unpretentious Palate’s 2023 People of the Year (November 14, 2023)
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Announces 2023 Grand Recipients (October 5, 2023)
Giving Kitchen Looks to Raise Funds for the Foodservice Industry (September 26, 2023)
Raising Funds, Helping Each Other (August 16, 2023)
The Food & Wine Pro Guide to Mental Health and Sobriety Resources (August 15, 2023)
What to Expect from Giving Kitchen's Inaugural Tennessee Tasting (April 13, 2023)
2023 Atlanta 500: Religion, Nonprofits & Advocacy (January 27, 2023)
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Fast Company: These 3 brands have been around for more than 5 years—this is why they’ve thrived (October 25, 2022)
Back Of House: How This Nonprofit Is Helping Food Service Workers In Times Of Crisis (October 17, 2022)
Nashville Scene: Dine Out for Good Causes in October (October 10, 2022)
Dana Delivers: Giving Back to Food Service Workers in Need (August 28, 2022)
Unite Us: How Giving Kitchen is Helping Food Service Workers Thrive (August 15, 2022)
The Bitter Southerner: The Kitchen That Keeps On Giving (May 10, 2022)
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Nashville Lifestyles: 3 Food-Centric Non-Profits to Support (November 30, 2021)
Wicked Tasty Podcast: The Giving Kitchen — Bryan Schroeder (November 24, 2021)
Salt Your Pasta Water Podcast: Naomi Green (October 20, 2021)
WTVM News: Giving Kitchen gives new life to local community (July 29, 2021)
Atlanta Magazine: 60 Voices on the City’s Past, Present, and Future (May 2021)
Eater Atlanta: Giving Kitchen hosts medical clinic offering COVID-19 vaccines for restaurant workers (April 9, 2021)
Tennessean: Group supporting restaurant workers expands across the South (April 1, 2021)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Giving Kitchen supports food service workers through pandemic (March 3, 2021)
Commercial Construction & Renovation: Giving Kitchen gets record high requests for help (February 26, 2021)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia nonprofits feed needy, assist food workers in pandemic (January 19, 2021)
Restaurant Hospitality: Georgia non-profit Giving Kitchen helps foodservice workers financially while they recover from substance abuse (January 15, 2021)
Fast Casual: Andrew Zimmern’s supporting substance-abuse recovery for restaurant workers (January 14, 2021)
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Downloads
Follow Us On Social Media
Giving Kitchen Videos
What To Expect at Giving Kitchen
Mind Matters Highlight Reel
Pop-Up Doc: GK’s Health Fair
Thank You, 2024 Annual Corporate Partners!
