FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Anne Rollings, Exec. Dir. Communications & Business Development Anne.Rollings@watershedhospitalitysrq.com

Watershed Hospitality Concepts Joins Forces with Giving Kitchen for Dining with Gratitude 2025 

WHC Supports Nationwide Initiative to Support Food Service Workers

Sarasota, FL; August, 2025//: The Watershed Hospitality Concepts family of restaurants is proud to announce its participation in Giving Kitchen’s Dining With Gratitude 2025, a nationwide initiative. This month-long promotion in September serves to endorse Giving Kitchen’s mission to support and celebrate food service workers in Florida and across the nation.

Giving Kitchen a national 501(c)3 and a James Beard Foundation and National Restaurant Association Education Foundation Award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance and a network of community resources to food service workers in times of crisis in all 50 states.

"We are excited to again be part of this meaningful event," said Mike Quillen, President of WHC. "Our team is passionate about supporting each other and our fellow hospitality industry colleagues, and Dining with Gratitude gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment and give back to those who contribute so much to our community. An unexpected crisis can be tough on anyone financially. We are honored to support an organization that gives back and celebrates the amazing hospitality professionals we work alongside of every day.”

As part of Watershed’s involvement, all WHC restaurants will participate, with Cask & Ale, Pie On Main, and Blasé’ Martini Bar/3.14 Pi Pizza donating a portion of every Espresso Martini enjoyed by our guests to Giving Kitchen and Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar committing a donation for every dozen of specialty oysters sold. Said, Quillen, “The Espresso Tini is among our most celebrated cocktails and our guests have come to know Lefty’s for our fresh, specialty oysters.  During September, these items will also serve a philanthropic mission.”

“Dining With Gratitude is not just about raising critical funds for crisis grants; it's about celebrating the spirit of generosity essential to the heart of the food service industry,” says Giving Kitchen’s Founder, Jen Hidinger-Kendrick. "Every client Giving Kitchen serves reflects our industry’s commitment to building a food service community that meets each crisis with compassion and care."

The Watershed Hospitality Concepts family of restaurants serves Hospitality. We are committed to creating welcoming experiences through quality, locally inspired fare, seasonal local crops from our farm partners & innovative cocktails. WHC employs 100+ hospitality- driven team members in our four restaurants. WHC offers our community casual, lively gathering places to savor craft cocktails and creative cuisine and enjoy the timeless ritual of sharing a meal.  Watershed Hospitality Concepts

In the State of Florida, the hospitality industry proudly employs over 1M restaurant workers in over 48,000 eating and drinking establishments, making us the second largest private employer and with contributions of over $77.6B in sales in Florida. (stats courtesy National Restaurant Association. https://restaurant.org/getmedia/d03a3569-54f3-4808-b93f-0b0a60a46f02/florida.pdf

About Giving Kitchen

Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance to food service workers through financial assistance and through a stability network of community resources. Their mission is to create a food service community where crisis is met with compassion and care. Learn more at www.givingkitchen.org.

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