No Kid Hungry’s Chefs Cycle Rides Again
Since 2015, Chefs Cycle has given chefs an outlet to fight hunger AND push their own physical limits. After a two-year break...
About This Episode
Since 2015, Chefs Cycle has given chefs an outlet to fight hunger AND push their own physical limits. After a two-year break due to COVID, the Chefs Cycle event returned in 2022 – with an intentionally smaller footprint to keep things safe – with a two-day, 200 mile ride in the Santa Rosa region of California. With more than 90 riders, a mix of new and returning, the event exceeded its goal of $500k raising more than $800k for the No Kid Hungry campaign. Add Passion and Stir talks with some of this year's riders -- Thomas Pisha-Duffly of Gado Gado in Portland, OR; Baruch Laskin of The Laskin in Calgary; Jamie Carawan of Buffalo Wild Wings; Elaine Cizma who rode with her dad Ted Cizma of Stellar Pizza; and Damien Hanft of Inspire Brands -- about why they ride.Resources and Mentions:
Ted and Elaine Cizma
Ted and Elaine Cizma are the father-daughter team who have ridden together in four Chefs Cycle events. Chef Cizma began his culinary career in his hometown of Chicago. The grandson of a butcher, he found his place in the kitchen at an early age, beginning work in restaurants at age 13. After attending the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago, he worked in noted Chicago restaurants such as Charlie Trotters, The Winnetka Grill, Daniel J’s and Zealous. In 1999 he opened Grace Restaurant in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood to immediate fanfare. Grace earned “Three Stars” from both Chicago daily newspapers, “Best New Restaurant” from Chicago Magazine and was featured in the New York Times, Travel + Leisure, GQ and many other publications. In 2001, Chef Cizma opened Elaine restaurant in Naperville, Illinois, as a suburban sister restaurant to Grace (Elaine & Grace are the names of his two oldest daughters). Elaine received a similar welcome and garnered many of the same awards. Chef Cizma's newest restaurant concept is Stellar Pizza, a pizza company that uses robotics created by former Space X engineers.
Thomas Pisha-Duffly
Owner and Chef
Thomas Pisha-Duffly is the owner and chef of the restaurant Gado Gado in Portland, OR which celebrates his Chinese Indonesian heritage and his and his wife, Mariah Pisha-Duffly’s travels in Southeast Asia.
Baruch Laskin
Founder
Baruch Laskin is the founder of The Laskin (Hotel & Spa + Brewery, Restaurant & Coffee Roasting) in Calgary, Alberta Canada.
Jamie Carawan
Food and Beverage Director
Jamie Carawan is the food and beverage director for Buffalo Wild Wings and a first time Chefs Cycle rider in 2022.
Damien Hanft
Vice President, Brand & Culture Ambassador
Damien Hanft is Vice President, Brand & Culture Ambassador for Inspire Brands, the parent company of Arby’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin & Robbins Buffalo Wild Wings, SONIC Drive-In, and Rusty Taco, and a strong supporter of Share Our Strength and the No Kid Hungry campaign.
Chefs Cycle
http://chefscycle.org/Chefs Cycle is a fundraising endurance event featuring award-winning chefs and members of the culinary community fighting hunger outside the kitchen. Since 2015, Chefs Cycle has engaged culinary talents who want to push their limits while raising funds and awareness in support of No Kid Hungry.
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