during the year. It’s really a make or break for a lot of people,” Bishop said. “People miss sitting in a restaurant and getting served. It’s a big week for restaurants in general and it’s important for people to get back out and supporting the local restaurants.” One of the ways that support is being enhanced is through the addition of a fundraising campaign that will donate money to the Giving Kitchen, a charity that provides support to restaurant industry workers who face sudden challenges. Giving Kitchen had one of the busiest years ever in 2020, Bishop said, and they were able to offer people across the state of Georgia grants and assistance to get by. Over the last year, Giving Kitchen has had a heavy focus on educating and supporting mental health awareness in the foodservice industry. “There are lots of mental health issues in the service industry, and Giving Kitchen has worked really hard over the last couple years to not only provide assistance to people affected by those things, but also provide free training to staff, managers, and owners, so they can handle tough situations,” Bishop said. Giving Kitchen has been a force in Columbus for years, and the organization says it is proud to be here and for Food, Fun & a Good Cause helping keep the local food scene healthy and thriving. By Scott Berson “Giving Kitchen is proud to be able to serve the or almost half a decade, Columbus residents have Columbus, Georgia area’s food service workers,” said had one thing we knew we could look forward to Jen Hidinger-Kendrick Co-Founder, Marketing and every year: Restaurant Week. Restaurant Week turns the Communications Director at The Giving Kitchen. focus on our city’s amazing food scene, which is getting “Over the last year our industry has been hit hard, and more impressive and diverse each day. The pandemic we know they are still climbing out of some of the threw a wrench into that in a lot of ways. Restaurants hardest times imaginable. The Giving Kitchen is here have struggled, and some even closed. Plans were put to help food service workers in times of crisis. Whether on hold, or abandoned completely. Workers dangled on it’s a mental or physical health crisis, we are the safety the tightrope. net this industry has always needed. We can’t thank U.S. But now Restaurant Week is here, like the return of Foods and Restaurant Week enough by making Giving a good friend, and it’s looking better than ever, while Kitchen the beneficiary yet again of this exciting week supporting the hardworking folks in the industry at the in Columbus. Partners like them allow us to offer the same time. This year’s Restaurant Week will take place from resources needed and to reach the people that need us July 26 - August 1. most. If you are a food “We’re going service worker in the into our fifth year area who is in need of of Restaurant Week, assistance, know that and here again we The Giving Kitchen is are ready to celebrate here to help.” our culinary scene,” In addition to said Katie Bishop, cothe week benefitting founder of Yalla Public Giving Kitchen, Relations, which Restaurant Week organizes the event. will kick-off with “We have 25 to 30 a FREE party for restaurants. We even Restaurant Industry have some across the workers. Participating Valley, so not just in Restaurants will have Columbus.” a chance to partake in Here’s how it works: an educational cooking Each local restaurant course hosted by U.S. will submit a three-course menu with a price of either Foods, then experience a party with food and booze to $15, $30 or $40. All you need to do is head onto the celebrate the start of Restaurant Week. This event will restaurant week website, where all the participating be held on Sunday, July 25th. For more information, restaurants and their menus are located, and check to visit the Yalla PR Facebook page. make sure the restaurant does not require reservations. To learn more about Restaurant Week, or to donate If you are walking into the restaurant versus reserving, to the Giving Kitchen, check out the Restaurant Week be sure to ask for the restaurant week menu. It’s a great website at www.yallapr.com/restaurantweek. “We way to experience the many, many incredible dining encourage people to go out and eat, and take care of the opportunities around town in a curated, affordable way. people who take care of us so often,” Bishop said. u “Typically it’s one of the busiest weeks for restaurants
Restaurant Week Returns
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