From Kitchen To Cause

In this episode of “From Kitchen To Cause,” we speak with David Helbraun about one of the most urgent issues today: rent. David is the Founding Partner and Chairman of one of the largest law firms focused exclusively on hospitality, Helbraun Levey (https://helbraunlevey.com/). David is also an entrepreneur who owned Pyramid Coffee Company. David recently served as the Chair of the Hospitality Law Committee of the NYC Bar Association, an industry group comprised of over 40 of New York City's top hospitality attorneys who regularly comment on the laws and regulations affecting the industry. He is also a board member of the NYC Food & Beverage Hospitality Council, an alliance of over 30 NYC industry professionals and businesses. In this episode, David shares how business owners are working with landlords to renegotiate rent during this difficult time.

In today's episode of “From Kitchen To Cause,” we speak with Jeremy Lyman, co-founder of Birch Coffee, about the changing nature of rent for coffee owners. Birch Coffee (birchcoffee.com) is on a mission to bring the true meaning of a coffee shop back. In a world overrun by smart phones and news feeds, Jeremy wanted a business where people came first. They've turned that dream into a success story, and have expanded to over 15 locations in New York City. Jeremy shares how Birch Coffee handled discussions and renegotiations with landlords during the pandemic.

In this episode of “From Kitchen To Cause”, we speak with Craig Gerard, the founder of Stone Soup in Portland, Oregon (stonesouppdx.com). Stone Soup is a nonprofit restaurant that trains people who are at risk of homelessness for careers in the food and hospitality industry. Stone Soup partnered with a network of 80+ social enterprises with a shared mission of providing job training to at risk populations. Craig shares how Stone Soup continues to support the Portland community during the pandemic, including partnering with the county to make about 9,000 meals a week for homeless shelters. #prevent-homelessness #create-jobs #dignity

In today's episode of “From Kitchen To Cause,” we speak with Dan Davidson, the founder of Rosebud Coffee in Pasadena, California (rosebudcoffee.com). Rosebud is empowering Pasadena's at risk youth, one cup of coffee at a time. Dan shares how he built a community of #rosebuddies who support their cause. Dan also shares how Rosebud's job training program and partnerships with local organizations contributed to reducing homelessness in Pasadena by 50%! #conquer-homelessness #youth #adapt

In today's episode of “From Kitchen To Cause,” we have a conversation about running a socially conscious business with April and Christian Zammas. Their cafe, Katora Coffee, in Fredericksburg, Virginia offers a safe space supportive of addiction recovery, mental health, LGBTQ, the arts and music. (katoracoffee.com) We share this episode in honor of World Mental Health Day to show how large of an impact business owners like Christian and April have on building a supportive community! Thank you to our producer Jackie Skevin for your assistance with this special episode! #addiction-recovery #mentalhealth #lgbtq #arts #music

In this episode of “From Kitchen To Cause”, we speak with Doug Hewitt, co-founder of 1951 Coffee in Berkeley, California (1951coffee.com). 1951 Coffee is a non-profit specialty coffee organization that promotes the well-being of the refugee community in the United States. They do this by providing job training and employment to refugees, asylees, and special immigrant visa holders. The 1951 Barista Training Program prepares over 100 refugees per year for successful jobs in the coffee industry. 1951 Coffee also educates the surrounding community about refugee life and issues. #refugees

In this episode of “From Kitchen To Cause,” we speak with Jonny Boucher, the founder of Hope For The Day and Sip of Hope Coffee in Chicago, IL (https://sipofhope.com/). Sip of Hope is the world's first coffee shop where 100% of the proceeds support proactive suicide prevention and mental health education. Jonny shares how Sip of Hope breaks the stigma with education programs and digital tools. Their goal is to educate 20,000 people in 2020. Jonny also shares how Sip of Hope creates a space where it is ok not to be ok. #mental-health #suicide-prevention

In this episode of “From Kitchen To Cause,” guest host Veronique Cadet is a social activist in the Black Lives Matter movement and mental healthcare reform. Veronique speaks with Sarah Joy Hays, the owner of Counterspace Bakery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (www.counterspacebr.com). Sarah's bakery has created a platform for supporting the black community and disaster relief. Proceeds from all of Counterspace's ice cream sales are pledged to a fund that provides therapy for black women. Veronique and Sarah Joy share how businesses can serve as a platform to support social causes. #blacklivesmatter #blm #disaster-relief #mental-health

In this episode of “From Kitchen To Cause,” we speak with Latrell Garnett, the owner of Conscious Plates in Chicago, IL (consciousplates.com). Conscious Plates' mission is to heal humanity of illnesses and diseases through natural foods and herbs, hence their 100% alkaline menu. Alkaline means in addition to being Meat-free and Dairy-free (or Vegan), Conscious Plates' food is also Soy-Free, Wheat-Free, Starch-Free and made with only spring water and care. Inspired by Dr. Sebi, Conscious Plates understands that a primary cause of illnesses and diseases that cause pain to people on our planet is unhealthy food. We'll discuss how Latrell used social media to build a global community around his cause. #alkaline #health #healing

In this episode of “From Kitchen to Cause," we speak with Morne Van Staden, the owner of Journey Coffee Co (journeycoffeeco.com) in Vacaville, California. Journey is on a mission to be more than just a coffee shop. Their mission is to make people feel welcomed and valued and loved in a world where there's so much brokenness and loneliness. In the episode, we discuss how Journey builds community around their belief that people matter most, such as by sharing their story with videos and their website. Morne also discusses how his team shares their cause with the farmers that produce their coffee beans and by giving back to non-profits in the community. #youmatter #youbelong

In this episode of “From Kitchen to Cause”, we speak with Vashelle To, the owner of Rise & Grind SF (https://www.riseandgrind-sf.com/) . Rise & Grind is an independent coffee company conceptualized by people wanting to create a unique and exciting experience in coffee. For Rise & Grind this means sticking to their original ideas and not deviating from these. The foundations of their business model are ethics and community. Rise & Grind SF launched a campaign to support our local heroes who are serving on the front lines to provide aid during this pandemic. They are taking donations to offer coffee and pastries to be delivered to healthcare professionals and essential workers in San Francisco. The donations allow Rise and Grind to maintain a revenue stream to stay in business while serving the community. #ethics #community #frontline-workers

In this episode of “From Kitchen To Cause”, we speak with Danny Ganim and Sharon Sealy, the owners of Islamorada Coffee Roasters in the Florida Keys (http://islamoradacoffeeroasters.com/). Islamorada Coffee Roasters' mission is to make high quality, deliciously air-roasted organic coffee more accessible in the Florida Keys. Their founding cause is that everything they do is ethical. Danny and Sharon try to be as fair as possible. Most of their beans are sourced through Cafe Femenino, which supports small women owned farms. Their “I.CARE Blend” raises money for a coral restoration organization. Sharon and Danny have many conversations about fair trade coffee beans and environmental issues with their community. #fair-trade #ethical #eco-friendly

In this episode of “From Kitchen To Cause”, we speak with Erik Taylor. Erik is the owner of Team Vinchay in Miami, Florida (https://teamvinchay.org/). Team Vinchay is a community organization that strives to inspire by demonstration and lead by example. Their mission is to live as eco-friendly as possible, strengthen their community, and inspire a more active and responsible public. They do so by creating inclusive events and partnerships in the community. Their Hideout Cafe is half a community center and half a place to demonstrate practical, clean ways of eating. By partnering with other organizations that are supporting the local community, Team Vinchay found that giving to others gives back to them. The ROI is not just financial. It's also keeping the Team Vinchay staff and customers inspired and loyal. #eco-consciousness #positive-lifestyles

In this episode of "From Kitchen To Cause", we speak with Greg Rales, the owner of Red Gate Bakery in New York, NY (redgatebakery.com). Greg wants to impart safety, warmth, and nostalgia to remind you of baking cookies with your grandmother. By creating the space and having a platform, especially over the last few months when social causes have been more at the forefront of people's minds, and as a gay man owning a business in New York city, Greg has been vocal about using his voice to educate others. Red Gate uses any platform they have, whether that's their sign outside or social media or where they put our money. Red Gate supports the Okra Project, which focuses on the black trans community and making sure that the most marginalized demographic in this country is recognized and valued. #lgbtq #blm #bakers-against-racism

In this episode of “From Kitchen To Cause”, we speak with Neeraj Miglani. Neeraj Miglani is the director at Zingari in San Francisco, CA (http://www.zingari.com/). Zingari was started 25 years ago by Neeraj's father, Krishan Miglani. Miglani is all about delivering Italian culture and is known as one of the best vegetarian restaurants in San Francisco. Neeraj and his family run their business with the intention of providing an elegant experience, but also along the way doing good. Their team engages with organizations in the community, such as the Episcopal Community Services. Through the Chefs Program, Zingari helps with workforce development and other resources such as counseling to people experiencing homelessness. Zingari is doing a GoFundMe campaign to provide 500 meals: https://www.gofundme.com/f/giving-back-with-meals-for-homeless Neeraj believes that collaborating with other entrepreneurs and giving your team more responsibilities helps share your cause. conquer #homelessness

In this episode of “From Kitchen To Cause”, we speak with Jason Waller. Jason is the owner of Waller's Coffee Shop in Decatur, GA (https://www.wallerscoffeeshop.com/). Jason opened Waller's Coffee Shop because he wanted to have a music venue and a coffee shop and he wanted to help break the stigma attached to mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety. Waller's Coffee hosts different seminars and workshops and shows focused on mental health. They've done projects with NAMI and local nonprofits and outreach. One of the biggest things they did was provide an atmosphere where it's okay to be yourself and it's okay to talk about struggling. Waller's has stayed connected to customers digitally with a Youtube series, Depression Awareness Dude and weekly video mental health check-ins. #mental-health