Today, we're revisiting the story of a foodservice hero from Portland, Maine. Her name is Natalie DiBenedetto, but she is more recognizable to locals as Chef Figgy, the owner of Figgy's Takeout and Catering. One of her claims to fame, in addition to her amazing fried chicken, is winning episode 39 in Season 8 of Food Network's "Chopped" in 2018.
[If she looks familiar, we featured Chef Figgy on our Instagram feed at the end of April -- but honoring her once isn't enough for us.]
Since the time that shutdown orders were issued in March, Chef Figgy has pivoted to focus even more heavily on her takeout business. She has been known to notify her followers on social media of free meals that she makes available to those that can’t afford food in the current crisis.
In addition, she is working with customers who struggle to meet the minimum order requirement for takeout that she had to impose in order to make the numbers work and stay open. Her flexibility and tenacity reflect her deep commitment to the foodservice industry and her local community.
We are honored to bring awareness to her dedication and hard work.
This is the first in a series of Foodservice Hero Profiles so watch this space. Know someone else we should highlight? Tell us!
