Each year, the Team Hidi event brings together bartenders, chefs, musicians, and over 1,200 people from the Atlanta community to fundraise more than $370,000 dollars for The Giving Kitchen. The Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance to Atlanta area restaurant workers facing an unanticipated hardship. I had an opportunity to speak with many of the city's best bartenders there to ask them what Team Hidi meant to them. 

Ben Richardson, Staplehouse: I lived in Denver during the first couple Team Hidi gatherings so this was my first experience with the event. It was amazing. The support that people show to the restaurant industry by coming out is humbling. Not to say that it is a sacrifice to come to such an event. For me, it was exciting to be able to showcase a beverage while engaging with familiar and new faces in an environment that has so much kinetic energy. The cherry on top is that we are all there to help fund an amazing non-profit that has benefited so many peers and several close friends.

Eric Simpkins, The Lawrence: Team Hidi means a lot. I have worked in restaurants all of my adult life, now I am a part owner in one. I never had insurance like many restaurant workers, and fear of work loss has some times prevented me from necessary medical care. I have had at least one employee, and a couple of friends receive grants through Team Hidi that were just as invaluable to them. Team Hidi saves lives. It may not cure any disease or magically heal an injury, but the support it provides, the piece of mind it provides its grant recipients saves lives.

David Chapman, Kimball House: For me, Team Hidi is the perfect representation of what makes the Atlanta restaurant community such a great place to call home. The hospitality behind what we do is so genuine in this town. It's who we are, not just what we do, and that's much more than good service, food, or drink at a bar or restaurant. Team Hidi really feels like a family reunion. You get to see tons of friends from other restaurants and so many of our guests. It's a lot of work to get ready for and busy once it gets going, but there is this eerie lack of panic and stress in the air. Everyone is just so happy to be there and see it all happen. It was incredible to see our guests and friends of the industry be so generous in their donations and time to be there on Sunday to make sure the work of TGK continues. Miles Macquarrie, Kimball House: Team Hidi is a very personal event for me and all of us at Kimball House. Ryan Hidinger was a dear friend and this event and the Giving Kitchen was started from his long battle with cancer. Originally, Team Hidi was the whole city coming together to support and amazing chef and human and grew into something much larger that can support many in need of medical help in our restaurant community in an industry where health insurance isn't the norm. The Giving Kitchen is a very important organization to us. 

Kellie Thorn, Empire State South: Too much to put into a few sentences. On a personal level, the people behind Staplehouse and The Giving Kitchen are friends and I love them very much. I have watched the foundation grow from its infancy and what they have achieved and what they do for our community is remarkable and worthy of hero status.

Anthony Porquez, on behalf of Holeman and Finch: Team Hidi means support in an industry where healthcare needs to be more of a priority. Many of us work exhausting hours and push our bodies to the limits that the service industry demands. For many Food &Beverage professionals its in our DNA to over look our own needs in the service of others. There has been a growing trend of care for restaurant staff and it's organizations like Team Hidi that have led this charge here in Atlanta. Kaleb Cribb, Holeman and Finch: The idea of raising money for my brothers and sisters in the service industry is one I will humbly join every single time. Knowing that the impetus for this event started from heartbreak, it is inspiring to see what kind of positive influence it has become within our community. I just enjoy being a part of that, and using my tools and skills to contribute the best way I can. Plus, it’s a great reason to see a bunch of friends in one space. That happens rarely in Atlanta.

Jerry & Krista Slater, H. Harper Station:  We have worked in this business collectively over 30 years; from waiting tables, bartending, managing, to owning our own place. It's hard to put in one sentence what it means to us. But it reflects what we love about this industry. And we love supporting it, and seeing it lift up our own.

Adam Rowe, Leon’s Full Service: Love, respect, support, selflessness, generosity. I am very grateful to live and work in a city that has TGK/Team Hidi. It is a beautiful thing to have people who whole-heartedly care for this industry and are more than willing to help in a time of need.