Denise Cerreta named the James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year

We want to congratulate Denise Cerreta for being named the James Beard Foundation 2017 Humanitarian of the Year!

Denise is the founder of One World Everybody Eats (OWEE), an organization that promotes food security through a “pay what you can” non-profit restaurant model. OWEE supports and mentors over 60 cafes around the world, teaching others how to provide warm food with dignity and a sense of community.

Our CEO, Fred Miller, first met Denise in 2010. Inspired by her passion for the mission and his own experience of the difference between a “hand up” rather than a hand out at a pay-what-you can cafe, Fred soon joined the OWEE Board of Directors. “Income inequality has to be addressed and the price of it should not be that a person cannot eat,” says Fred. Our CFO, Ratna Randive joins Fred in supporting the organization by acting as a key partner for the OWEE annual summit of cafe operators.

We have formed a wonderful bond with OWEE and Denise over the years and are thrilled to have a cafe in our own neighborhood. The Oakwood Soul Cafe here in Troy provides a pay-what-you-can meal the second Monday of every month, featuring guest chefs from the region.

Click here to find a cafe near you and here to learn more about Denise and the work of OWEE.