Two Local Chefs Step Up to Provide Weekly Meals to Food Service Workers

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many workers in the food service industry have lost their jobs. Chefs Marissa Delgado and Kellie Roegado are stepping up to help them. Although they recently lost their jobs, these chefs have been providing meals to impacted food service workers free of charge.

Mnay restaurants have kitchens not being used, which is a complete waste of the great equipment they contain (perhaps sourced from a company like Nella Online). For example, commercial ovens are great for cooking in bulk, which is the perfect piece of equipment for feeding workers. The food can be prepared in an efficient workspace, that is health and safety checked, in order to get as many meals out as possible to those in need!

In the past few weeks Delgado and Roegado have served a total of over 600 meals at weekly Arizona Homegrown Resource Dinners funded by donations. For the fourth dinner on April 9, Spinato’s Pizzeria and Family Kitchen, which has been a Valley favorite since 1974 and has five locations, is supplying the food and the use of their professional kitchen. Food service distributor Greco and Sons is donating the to-go containers for the meals. 

This week, the meals will be available for pickup on April 9 from 3-8 p.m. at Spinato’s at 1920 E. 5th Street in Tempe. Social distancing and food safety practices will be followed.

Spinato’s will also supply ingredients for a fifth Arizona Homegrown Resource Dinner the week of April 13. More information will be available on Chef Melissa’s Facebook page. Donations to fund this effort can be made online.

This is just one of many inspiring examples of our community coming together and helping each other in these challenging times.