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EATING OUT \ EATING IN \ FOOD NEWS \ WINE
PURPOSE DRIVEN
Staplehouse will offer delicious food, support for those in need
By Clare S. Richie
Atlantan’s love to eat out and love to
help one another.
Staplehouse restaurant, which opens
this summer in the Old Fourth Ward,
speaks to both passions. It will feature
refined healthy creations for sharing in an
intimate setting.
More importantly, the restaurant
fulfills a couple’s dream and provides
the nonprofit they founded, The Giving
Kitchen, with another stable funding
source to assist restaurant workers who
experience unexpected hardships. All
after-tax proceeds from the restaurant
will go directly to The Giving Kitchen.
The Staplehouse dream began in 2009
when chef Ryan Hi dinger and his wife
Jen launched an underground supper
club of five-course seasonal meals in their
home. Four years later, with their bricks
and mortar restaurant in sight, Ryan was
diagnosed with Stage IV gall bladder
cancer. The devastating news triggered
an outpouring of love and support
that would take their dream in a new
direction.
In early 2013, when culinary
Photo courtesy CatMax Photography
Jen Hidinger and her late husband, Ryan, conceived Staplehouse, which will
be opening soon in the Old Fourth Ward.
colleagues raised
$275,000 at a
tasting fundraiser
to support the
Hidingers,
Ryan and Jen
decided to pay
it forward. Their
restaurant would
exist to help
others in need
in the restaurant
industry. Before
Ryan passed away
in January 2014,
he had created a
legacy of healing.
Family and
friends are now
carrying the
dream forward. Jen Hidinger, Chef
Ryan Smith (previously of Empire
State South), and Kara Hidinger
(Smith’s wife and Ryan’s sister) are co-
founders and operators. You’ll find
Chef Smith in the kitchen, Kara on
the floor as General Manager, and Jen
handling administration and serving
as spokesperson for the restaurant and
nonprofit.
Square Feet Studios and Choate
Construction are bringing Ryan
Hidinger’s vision to life.
After a lengthy permit process,
construction began in March is on track
for a summer opening.
Chef Smith describes Staplehouse’s
offerings as “a seasonal, sourced locally
when available, constantly changing
NEW!
BBQ RIBS
WITH FRIES
We have added
absolutely tender
& flavorful barbecue i
to our menu and slathered
them in our special Memphis Sweet BBQ Sauce.
1/2 Slab Dinner $12.99
Full Slab Dinner $21.99
DEEP DISH PIZZA SPECIAL
I
I
I
I
I
*14.99
MEDIUM DEEP
DISH PIZZA WITH
1 TOPPING*
Online Order Code: ATL1499
•Chicken & Shrimp have additional costs. Additional
ingredients sold at regular price. Not valid with any other
offer. Must mention coupon when ordering & present at time
of pick-up or delivery. Limit one pizza per order.
Valid Thru
Consistently Voted Atlanta's Best
Southwestern & Best Margarita
Come check out our
new Menu! We kept
all of your favorites,
brought back a few
classics, and added
some exciting new
dishes!
Make reservations now:
404.588.0006
agaverestaurant.com
"Unpretentious but with
every right to cop an
attitude" -Zagat 3g3VC
An Eclectic Southwestern Eatery & Tequila Bar
242 Boulevard SE in Cabbagetown, Atlanta
For reservations call 404.588.0006 or visit agaverestaurant.com
menu...But for me those are just things
we do.” Adding, “We will have a main
dining room which will focus on food
that is technique driven at a slightly
more formal setting while maintaining a
casual sense. Our outside patio will be a
much more casual setting with food that’s
meant to be shared.” A mid summer
menu would include beautiful fresh
shrimp and “of course tons of tomatoes.”
As you clear your plate, you will also
help The Giving Kitchen reach more
Atlanta restaurant workers in need.
Since it’s inception two years ago,
the nonprofit hired four full-time staff
and distributed $350,000 in grants
to 250 grateful recipients. Carlin was
battling breast cancer and unable to work
when she received her grant. “I didn’t
realize how relieved I would be,” Carlin
shared. For Cameron, who was struck
by a car while riding his bike home from
work, “the grant allowed me to recover
physically, emotionally and mentally. It
gave me a sense of community I hadn’t
experienced.” Canyon’s manager called
The Giving Kitchen on her behalf once
he learned of her accident. The grant
enabled Canyon to take care of her
children while she was out of work. It
showed her, “You’re not alone. People
actually still love people.”
“In Atlanta there are 200,000
restaurant workers with 1 to 2 percent
in crisis at any given moment,” Jen
explained. While proud of The Giving
Kitchen’s work, she is mindful of the
staggering need that remains. “My calling
is to encourage potential grant recipients
to ask for help.”
So this summer, visit Staplehouse
to dine in your community for your
community.
As Jen says, “We get to lend a hand
and that is healing for all of us.” ESI
38 June 2015 | INtOWIl
AtlantalNtownPaper.com