The TODAY Show

Thank you to TODAY.  A recent segment aired highlighting Staplehouse and The Giving Kitchen.  For the full segment, click here.

 

A humbling thank you to John Kessler for an inspirational write up for June's Food Arts issue.  For the full article, click here.

 

Atalnta Homes & Lifestyles

Meet the next wave of tastemakers who are shaping the future of Atlanta’s arts and design culture.

Photographer: Angela Morris

 

For full article, click here.

 

JEN HIDINGER

Staplehouse & The Giving Kitchen  

The Atlanta food community’s love affair with Jen Hidinger and her late husband, Ryan, began when the pair held some of the city’s first and most successful “underground supper clubs” from 2009 through 2012. Called “Prelude to Staplehouse,” it was named for their future dream restaurant. In January 2013, the pair announced that Ryan had been diagnosed with late-stage cancer, and the industry (chefs, owners, staff, patrons) rallied, helping raise nearly $300,000 for medical treatments and expenses. Inspired, the Hidingers determined their future restaurant would be a nonprofit, with every cent made going to a charitable organization helping restaurant-industry employees with unforeseen crises. Called The Giving Kitchen, the nonprofit is already thriving with a strong board and solid donor base, and will operate on the second floor of Staplehouse, scheduled to open this fall on Edgewood Avenue. –Tucker Berta

 

PRE-Demo

Hey Atlanta,

Last week was the gigantic (pun intended) check presentation of SweetWater's Second Helping IPA to The Giving Kitchen.   Take a look at all the photos from the day here!

Celebration of Ryan Hidinger

In loving memory of Ryan Hidinger
August 14 1977 - January 9 2014

Celebration of Ryan's Life - Open to the Public
Sunday January 19
11am - 2pm
Eulogy at Noon
Georgia Railroad Freight Depot
65 Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive, SE, Atlanta GA 30334

*Please be mindful as you will have to park in a detached parking garage.  Look for the green balloons as you approach the entrance*

Ryan Update 1/7/14

Just one year ago, we sent an update that introduced Atlanta to Ryan’s cancer diagnosis.  We felt strongly about being transparent throughout our journey.  Like we said last January, some of you have become dear friends over the years, some of you we’re just getting to know and the rest of you are friends we have not met yet.

Over the last 12 months, our updates shifted from Ryan’s cancer progress to the news that Staplehouse was still alive, to the development of The Giving Kitchen, a non-profit born out of selflessness, and a legacy that will live on much after we are all gone.

It is now my duty to keep our promise of transparency open to you all – our friends.  After a long fought battle, this is where we stand in our war.

Three weeks ago, we left our cancer treatment center for the last time and actively made the decision to start home hospice care.  Nothing more medically could be done to keep Ryan here.  After one full year of fighting… winning only a couple small (medical) battles, our war was coming to an end.  The cancer retreated in a major way back in June, but since then, bullied its way back through Ryan’s body until (early December) it had engulfed his entire liver and spread all over his lungs, thus making it impossible to treat.

This is what is important to understand today.

1. Ryan's liver is failing. 
2. He is struggling physically but in a good place mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 
3. No one knows how much time his body will hang on. 
4. We have surrounded ourselves with close family in the comfort of our home. 
5. Ryan chooses Starbursts over apples these days, and they bring him tremendous joy. 
6. "Mt. Everest" for him was one last dash to Taco Mac and a bite of a chicken wing. 
7. Ryan has no resentment -- only appreciation and deep gratitude for the army of people who have stepped up to help us this past year. 
8. Ryan wants and will want everyone to celebrate him. Celebrate your own life. Celebrate your loved ones. Live your life. Truly live it. He would be devastated if you allowed his death to bring you down and into a place not full of light and love. I mean this.
9. If given a time machine, he would not go back.
10. The past year was the hardest yet most remarkable of our lifetime. 
11. "This is just part of my journey" is what came out of his mouth just recently.
12. We want and need our space right now. 
13. We truly love all you so much but Ryan is not physically capable to say goodbye to everyone in person therefore, no visitors please.

With spirit and determination, we move forward excited about the future of what Staplehouse will bring… with our partnership with The Giving Kitchen... the mission continues.

Please join in celebrating the legacy that Ryan created at Team Hidi 2.0 benefiting The Giving Kitchen.

 BUY TICKETS

Staplehouse at Woodford Reserve

Steak Shapiro and members of The Giving Kitchen (TGK) go deep into the oak cask barrels and history of Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, KY.  Staplehouse is there to sample a bit of the legendary bourbon, raise a few glasses, and be a part of the action as the team learns all about the art of the distilling process.  Proceeds from the event benefit TGK and its commitment to the Atlanta restaurant scene.  Learn more at thegivingkitchen.org.