Rescued, Transformed, Shared: A Night of Culinary Inspiration and Giving Back

by La Soupe Founder, Suzy DeYoung

Just a few days ago, La Soupe hosted its annual fundraiser, CHEFtalks, and my belly still aches from all the laughter. It's hard to express how much this event meant to me personally. As I navigate this journey called life, I've grown more sentimental and intentional about creating lasting memories. Bringing together the three most iconic chef-restaurateurs for a night of storytelling in the unique and beautiful venue, Sugarcreek Bacon Barn, while dining on exceptional cuisine that highlighted the heritage of each of these dynamic individuals, was simply indescribable. Our culinary team hit a home run with their creativity and talent, showcasing rescued food.

Jeff, Mike, and Buddy, my heartfelt gratitude for joining us and going along with the flow, creating the most authentic and genuinely entertaining conversations that had people laughing and talking for days afterward. At one point during the evening, I looked at our outstanding emcee, Lou Schottelkotte, and whispered, "The train has left the station, and there's no turning back," as the stories became livelier, off-the-cuff, and genuinely hysterical. The theme for the evening revolved around how these three men conquered seemingly insurmountable odds, built iconic brands and created memories for countless diners, and now devote much of their time to giving back. Their love for food and the hospitality industry RESCUED them from challenging backgrounds, TRANSFORMING their lives of hardship into successful ones. A meal SHARED at any of their restaurants will uplift your spirits.

The three pillars upon which La Soupe was founded—Rescue, Transform, Share—were seen from a different perspective last Thursday, but the message remained unchanged. Jeff Ruby spoke about the impact "one person, his coach," had on him.

The meals La Soupe provides can provide some relief for our clients. often the only meal our clients will receive. We show them that there's at least one person who cares about them and may offer them hope for a better future. I often wonder if SHARING our food truly makes a difference. Does it have an impact on someone's life? The following message was recently sent to us by one of our clients:

"I wanted to thank you for the soup I received today at the sem pantry. It was so comforting to not have to worry about what we were going to eat today. We had the tomato and bean soup, and it was delicious. I have a hard time eating many foods anymore because of my stomach, so I was very nervous, but it was very comforting, and honestly, I felt like I could just relax for a moment. I'm sure that sounds strange, but I haven't had a real hot meal in almost a year since I got sick and lost my job and my home. As I sit here and write this, it almost sounds ridiculous that something so insignificant to most people is one of the main things that I long for. So, once again, thank you for a little taste of home."

This, my friends, is what continues to motivate me, inspire me, and encourage me to persevere. There's an old saying that I love: "When we run alone, we run fast, but when we run together, we run far." Once again, a huge thanks to John and Julie Richardson for not only being Presenting Sponsors but also for allowing the first public event in their Barn that Bacon Built! And boy, is it spectacular! A massive thanks to Amy and George Joseph as Presenting Sponsors as well, and to the myriad of corporations and individuals whose support raised over $260,000! Our expansion project will be completed by year-end, providing us with the much-needed freezer space to continue our mission. We're heading into the cold winter, where a bowl of soupe brings much-needed comfort to so many.

Thank you, Jeff Ruby, Mike Wong, and Buddy LaRosa, for the impact you had on our guests last Thursday evening, but most importantly, for simply being the true GOATS of all time!