Chicago Says “Yes, Chef!” to Supporting Giving Kitchen’s Mission

On behalf of everyone at Giving Kitchen, we want to say thank you—an enormous, from-the-bottom-of-our-hearts kind of thank you—for joining us at the “Say Yes, Chef!” event during James Beard Awards Weekend in Chicago. Whether you were savoring dishes with us, sharing stories, or lifting your glass in celebration, your presence was a gift, one we will carry forward as we continue to extend hope and support to food service workers in crisis around the country.

The industry reunion at Wildman BT and throughout the 2025 #JBFA weekend was undeniably magical. The atmosphere pulsed with connection—strangers becoming friends, allies rallying together for a shared purpose, and the culinary world showing up in its full, resplendent glory. We were reminded, again and again, why this work matters so deeply.

This work doesn’t happen without our passionate community, and the “Say Yes, Chef!” event was a testament to that. From incredible sponsors to visionary creators, we want to raise a toast to the partners who made this event possible. They’re more than supporters to us—they’re part of the Giving Kitchen family, and we encourage you to support them just as they’ve supported us.

Thank you to our Say Yes, Chef! Food and Beverage Partners:

• Ying Chang and Robert Adamson, Strong Water Anaheim – Finalist, Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program (2025)

• D’Andre Carter, Soul & Smoke
• Stephen Gillanders, S.K.Y., Apolonia, and Valhalla
• Chris Jung, Maxwells Trading – Finalist, Best Chef: Great Lakes (2025)
• Rishi Kumar and Zubair Mohajir, Mirra – Winner, Outstanding Restaurant, Topolobampo (2017) Semifinalist, Best Chef: Great Lakes (2022) and Emerging Chef (2023)
• Sarah Mispagel, Loaf Lounge
• Julia Momosé, Kumiko – Winner, Outstanding Bar, Kumiko (2025) and Beverage with Recipes Book (2022)
• Lamar Moore, Etc. – Semifinalist, Best Chef: Great Lakes (2025)
• Daniel de Oliviera, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Illinois
• Tigist Reda, Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
• Art Smith, Chef Art Smith’s Reunion and Blue Door Kitchen & Garden – Winner, Humanitarian of the Year (2007) and General Book (2002)

Thank you for believing in this mission, and for standing beside us as we serve food service workers nationwide.

Together, we can keep this momentum alive and keep saying “yes”—to hope, to care, and to the food and beverage workers who give their all to serve others.

Since Giving Kitchen won the James Beard Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2019, we have distributed $12,930,425 through 7,180 awards and provided access to vital resources across the nation to 20,348 clients through our Stability Network.

With the funds raised on Saturday, Giving Kitchen can provide three years of rent and utility assistance to food service workers and their families. The assistance will prevent the homelessness of 20 clients.

Put differently, this assistance is enough to provide 27.3 awards to clients. Our 27 most recent clients included: a server who suffered an anxiety attack; a server with a broken arm; a busser who survived a suicide attempt; a cashier who contracted COVID, and a manager who had a heart attack.

Their stories are varied, deeply human, and rooted in resilience—a resilience that may have faltered without the bridge of support that Giving Kitchen provides. Your kindness is that bridge, one that says, “You matter. We’ve got you.”

You can be a force for change, and the best part is that it begins with something simple: sharing the mission.

Next time you grab a coffee, chat with your barista about Giving Kitchen. Next time you’re at your favorite restaurant, share our resources with your server. Or when you’re prepping for the dinner rush alongside your coworkers, let them know they don’t have to face their hardships alone.

• Ji Suk Yi
• Paul Cantrelle
• Brian Fisher
• Jeff Forkenbrock
• Alex Foster
• Carlo Gan
• Diego Garcia
• Scott Gbur
• Feven Gebremedhin
• Matthi Girmai
• Ted Grady
• Rianna Gray
• Hector Guererro
• Chris Hall
• Brian Ingle
• Paul Kahan
• John Kessler
• Marisa Klug-Morataya
• Matt Lasky
• Sasha Lasky
• Lynette Le-Lim
• Mimi Lie
• Dan Lyles
• Donnie Madia
• Andy Magnotto
• Anna Mandelbaum
• David Manseau
• Shin Matsuda
• Thomas Oh
• Mia Orino
• Michelle O’Sullivan
• Kordell Phillips
• Steve Rosa
• Shannon Sherwood
• Joe Spretnjak
• Josh Tilden
• Tito’s Handmade Vodka
• WasteNot Compost
• Stacey Young