2021 Food Service Hero Award Winners

Jake Cohn

Jake is an on-site leader as part of the Hatch Kitchen team, but dedicates his free time volunteering with Hatch Helps, and official affiliate of the World Central Kitchen.  Hatch Helps provides healthy ready-to-eat meals to local non-profits for distribute in areas designated as a USDA food desert.  The program continues to exist primarily due to local donations and volunteers, like Jake.

In October 2020, Jake stepped into a leadership position and quickly became a key part of the operation and continually demonstrates his passion to serve, heal and feed Richmond, VA families in need.  According to Ryan Evans, Hatch Kitchen’s director of kitchen operations, Jake has been “…a great asset for us and Hatch Helps wouldn’t be what it is without him.”  Working with his team of eight volunteers, Jake plans and produces weekly menus from donated items.  To date, Jake and his team have volunteered over 644 hours and created over 7,380 meals for Richmond communities in need.

To read more about Jake, click here

Paul Listenberger

Paul is a Food Service Director, responsible for all aspects of an operation that has remained open seven days a week and over 20 hours a day during the pandemic.  Despite being short-staffed during this duration, Paul never complained and pushed through the daily issues.  When needed, Paul worked days, nights and weekends in order to combat these staffing challenges, while also setting an example of professionalism and implementing creative ideas to engage guests.  Paul’s strong leadership and “can do” attitude has helped his team through the highs and lows.

Working with Chef Earl Nicholson, another 2021 Food Service Hero, Paul and his team serve roughly 700 guests a day.  They have instilled a trust they will get the job done regardless of the challenges each day brings.  Remaining fully operational throughout the pandemic, providing food for all guests, while excelling through numerous challenges, Paul and Chef Earl’s work ethic has been an example to us all.

To read more about Paul, click here

Edward “Earl” Nicholson
As an Executive Chef during the pandemic, Chef Earl has overcome many challenges at an account that has remained open seven days a week and over 20 hours a day during the pandemic. Despite being short-staffed the entire duration, Chef Earl has found ways to inspire his team, creating an atmosphere his associates love to return to every day. He also demonstrated strong leadership by setting an example for them to follow, whether that be continually adjusting the menus to meet his client’s requests or working an entire weekend preparing for a special client event.

In tandem with his Food Service Director Paul Listenberger, another 2021 Food Service Hero, Chef Earl and his team serve roughly 700 guests a day. They have instilled a trust they will get the job done regardless of the challenges each day brings. Remaining fully operational throughout the pandemic, providing food for all guests, while excelling through numerous challenges, Chef Earl and Paul Listenberger’s work ethic has been an example to us all.

To read more about Earl, click here

Jordan Dicken

Jordan Dicken is the Food Service Manager for LifeWorks Lake Mary, FL and has had a tremendous impact on the client, guests, and team members throughout the pandemic.

While many dining operations slowed during the pandemic, Jordan’s location saw an increase in participation which had over 200 essential workers who were required to come into the office each day. Jordan and her small but mighty team of four quickly had to shift gears and deliver a free boxed breakfast and lunch meal program for guests at the account.In just two days the team transformed their space from traditional paid service to free food pick up, creating exciting menus that incorporated both hot and cold food programs. While Jordan has no chef on site, she did not back down from challenging herself and her team with providing great offerings for her guests. Total meals served per day increased from 235 to 335. Now, after a year of our free food program, Lake Mary has produced and provided over 117,513 boxed meals!

We are so proud of Jordan and her team for rising to the challenge and providing an innovative solution to our guests and client. To read more about Jordan, click here