As sponsor of the 2016 James Beard Foundation Award  for  Best New Restaurant, we got to know some of the nominees.

Staplehouse is a casual neighborhood restaurant, located in the heart of Atlanta’s Old 4^th Ward. Beginning as an underground supper club started by Jen and Ryan Hidinger, Staplehouse morphed into an eatery where the life and legacy of Ryan is celebrated. Staplehouse is a for-profit subsidiary of The Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit charitable organization. All after-tax profits from the restaurant will ultimately benefit The Giving Kitchen, which provides emergency assistance grants to metro Atlanta restaurant workers facing unanticipated crisis.

Staplehouse’s Chef Ryan Smith, a semifinalist for the Best Chef: Southeast, recognizes that equipment is extremely important and he creates food based around what he can do with what he has. At True, we talk about how a modern kitchen has moving parts and moving needs, and having equipment to reduce that movement is pertinent to success.

Another moving part in Chef Ryan’s kitchen is the menu. Very influenced by what’s available, Smith is always trying to find new flavor through preservation. Staplehouse’s menu changes regularly based on seasonality and product availability so they can serve creative dishes made with only the best ingredients.

A desire to continuously improve and pay meticulous attention to detail is something that we at True share with Staplehouse, and it is something that has brought Staplehouse to the honor of being a James Beard Award nominee.

To learn more about how Staplehouse was started and The Giving Kitchen, visit their website here.