04/29/2026
Four years ago, I was listening to the The Sporkful with Dan Pashman which featured a food writer from Chicago discussing The Bear and a chef from Savannah discussing his role in The Menu.
That chef was Starland Yard’s John Benhase.
John taught Ray Fiennes how to make the cheeseburger at the end of The Menu.
After learning John was a chef in Savannah, I reached out to discuss a pop-up at NFA Burger where the proceeds would benefit the Giving Kitchen.
John agreed with no hesitation.
I called America’s burger scholar, author and owner of Hamburger America, George Motz. George had never heard of the Giving Kitchen, but loved the idea of supporting food service workers in crisis.
I took a chance and decided to build an entire event with some of my favorite burger makers.
The Burger Benefit was born.
It was born at the right time.
Because we were still coming out of COVID, people weren’t traveling and were looking for almost anything to do.
1200 burgers later, we had raised $50k+ for the Giving Kitchen.
The following year, we surpassed $60k with the help of sponsors such as Georgia Natural Gas
Then life got in the way.
The expansion of our first location became a nightmare…which is almost over…I think, so I had to cancel.
With the addition of NFA’s second location at Avalon, 50 more employees and a minor medical issue, I simply don’t have the time to devote to the event.
Additionally, I HATE taking chefs out of their business. Having an event on a Sunday is easy for me, Dunwoody is closed on Sundays.
But it’s not easy for them.
In addition to growing my own business, I want to help chefs by driving people to their restaurants.
As a result, this will be the final Burger
Benefit.
It’s a smaller lineup, but packed with people what I admire, believe in hospitality and care about the Giving Kitchen as much as I do.
If you want one of kind burgers you’ll never get again, this is the place to be.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-final-burger-benefit-tickets-1987576216969
I haven’t abandoned my Giving Kitchen cause.
NFA Burger now has three ways to contribute to the Giving Kitchen.
1. $.25 for every burger sold goes to GK.
2. $4 from every Giving Kitchen Burger goes to GK
3. $.50 for every bottle of water sold goes to GK.
I hope to see you this Sunday.
