US Foods Returns for a Second Restaurant Takeover
To anyone outside of St. Vincent de Paul’s Family Dining Room, tonight would appear to be a typical weeknight, but for the guests inside the dining room, something special is about to happen. With the help from US Foods and volunteers, St. Vincent de Paul’s family dining room has been transformed into a gourmet restaurant. Led by Food Fanatics chef, Chef Angel F. Joy, SVdP’s families enjoyed a surprise meal provided elegantly by US Foods and St. Vincent de Paul. The three-course meal for the evening includes roasted chicken and pork loin, cheesy rice, mixed vegetables, a mashed potato bar, hot chocolate and doughnut holes for dessert.
Chef Angel was honored to be part of those giving back.
“It’s a chance for us to provide back to our community and to do events like this where it’s very important to US Foods that the community understands that while we are a large company nationwide, we’re also small enough to be part of the community,” said Chef Angel.
As families filled the tables and dinner was being served, it was easy to see the excitement in the room.
“Doing events like this and partnering with St. Vincent de Paul, it gives us a chance to create a meal for those who are less fortunate, for them to have something to look forward to around their friends and family,” said Chef Angel.
This is the second event US Foods has done with St. Vincent de Paul.
“The gratification as a chef that I get is knowing that people are eating well and living well,” said Chef Angel. “As a human being, a person, it’s that we’re able to give back something that many people take for granted. Not everybody has access to a really good meal, a healthy nutritious meal, so this is an opportunity for US Foods to come and do some really good work aside from the other charitable donations that we have out throughout the year locally,” he continued. “For me, his is one that I can sink my teeth into and be a part of.”
Health and wellness is a top priority to SVdP as we aim to address root causes of poverty and food insecurity. Each day, our goal is to provide 4,500 nutritious meals to our guests. With our Urban Farm program, Family Wellness program and five dining rooms, our goal is to ensure that we, as an organization, are providing the very best to those who need it the most.
"Our dining rooms have always been about more than just providing food," said St. Vincent de Paul’s Executive Director Steve Zabilski. "US Foods gives the families a unique experience and something to celebrate. It also shows that the community cares so much about them that they would bring this restaurant experience to them."
"US Foods is committed to enhancing our support of St. Vincent de Paul," says US Foods' representative, Alexis Chattic. "We want to include more chef partners, our corporate staff and the entire food community in serving families in need."
This event was a continuation of the "Restaurant Takeover," a program where restauranteurs and food providers are invited to partner with St. Vincent de Paul to create dining experiences for families.
We are grateful and inspired by the incredible team and compassion of US Foods and thank them for giving SVdP families a unique dining experience. We hope their example will inspire more restaurants of all sizes to join us for future Restaurant Takeovers in our Family Dining Room!
