The idea for #AskChefsAnything spawned from two New York startup founders and food industry veterans Gaeleen Quinn and Anna Polonsky who wanted to help the community most impacted by the COVID crisis within the restaurant world, the immigrant workers.
Even though immigrant workforce contributes billions annually in state and local taxes, many of them were not included in the federal relief packages and cannot claim unemployment benefits. They cannot find another job locally because their visas depend on a single employer; they cannot travel to their countries because borders are closed and they may not be able to come back.
With that in mind, Quinn and Polonsky pulled together to fund the initiative that enlisted the support of some of the country’s greatest chefs to create an experience that is personal and distinctive. 100% of funds raised from the auctions go directly to the communities they work with in each city, in the form of fresh produce and groceries aiding to feed countless families and households.