The Watershed Hospitality Concepts (WHC) family of restaurants is excited to join Giving Kitchen’s Dining With Gratitude 2024, a nationwide initiative. This month-long campaign aims to support and celebrate food service workers in Florida and beyond. Giving Kitchen is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, recognized with a James Beard Foundation Award, dedicated to providing financial assistance and community resources to food service workers facing crises across all 50 states.

"We are excited to be part of this meaningful event," said Mike Quillen, President of WHC. "Our team is passionate about supporting each other and our fellow hospitality industry colleagues, and Dining With Gratitude gives us an opportunity to express our appreciation and give back to those who contribute so much to our community. An unexpected crisis can be tough on anyone financially. We are honored to support an organization that gives back and celebrates the amazing hospitality professionals we work alongside every day.”

As part of Watershed’s involvement, all WHC restaurants, Cask & Ale, Pie On Main, Blasé’ Martini Bar/3.14 Pi Pizza will donate a portion of every Espresso Martini enjoyed by guests to Giving Kitchen during the month of October. Said Quillen, “This Martini is among our most popular offerings; now this cocktail will also serve a philanthropic mission.” Watershed Hospitality Concepts Director of Communications and Business Development, Anne K. Rollings adds that because of the popularity of the Espresso Martini across all of the group’s restaurants, they are hoping to raise over $1500 during the month of October with this program.

“Dining With Gratitude is not just about raising critical funds for crisis grants; it's about celebrating the spirit of generosity essential to the heart of the food service industry,” says Giving Kitchen’s Founder, Jen Hidinger-Kendrick. "Every client Giving Kitchen serves reflects our industry’s commitment to building a food service community that meets each crisis with compassion and care."

Dining with Gratitude has helped a bartender named Mikele, who had to take time off from work when she sprained her ankle and found herself with reduced income and mounting medical bills. Grateful for the assistance from Giving Kitchen, Mikele says “It allowed me to fully heal and not have to worry about overworking on my foot and getting hurt even more which would lead to missing out on even more work.”

Nira has been in the restaurant industry for 18+ years and lives with her wife in Nashville, TN where she is a server at a popular Downtown Broadway Street bar. Faced with health concerns and financial instability, Nira has reached out and received help from Giving Kitchen three times since she first heard about it in 2020. "I can’t even believe something like this exists,” she says. “I feel so blessed that The Giving Kitchen always had/has my back, and the backs of all service industry workers."

The Watershed Hospitality Concepts family of restaurants serves hospitality. They are committed to creating welcoming experiences through quality, locally inspired fare, seasonal local crops from our farm partners & innovative cocktails. WHC employs around 100 hospitality-driven team members in their four restaurants. WHC offers our community casual, lively gathering places to savor craft cocktails and creative cuisine and enjoy the timeless ritual of sharing a meal. https://www.caskalesrq.com/