no proof

Best-selling author, TedX speaker, James Beard semifinalist, mental health advocate, and restaurateur Steve Palmer is a food & beverage industry leader with more than 40 years of experience.

As founder, managing partner, and chief vision officer of the award-winning Indigo Road Hospitality Group (IRHG), Steve has played an integral role in growing the Charleston, SC-based hospitality company from one restaurant in 2009 to a portfolio of more than 30 restaurants and independent hotels throughout the country today. He maintains the philosophy that great service starts with well-cared-for employees and attributes the company’s success to its loyal and dedicated team. By promoting from within and continuously creating new opportunities for his staff, Steve has developed a people-first culture built on an unwavering, high level of care and hospitality.

Nationally recognized in titles like The New York Times, NPR, and Southern Living, Steve is a four-time semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation Outstanding Restaurateur Award, with his most recent nomination in 2024 for his work with colleague Kimball Brienza at O-Ku’s Charleston location. He also became a best-selling author when he published Say Grace: How the Restaurant Business Saved My Life in 2019.

His proudest accomplishment to date was co-founding Ben’s Friends with close friend and fellow longtime industry veteran Mickey Bakst to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to professionals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction. An avid proponent of supporting people and communities, Steve serves as an active member on several industry boards and annual fundraising events, as well as lends his voice to influential events like TedX Charleston and Charleston Wine + Food Festival, speaking on personal passions like building strong company cultures and addiction/recovery.

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

Laura Silverman is an alcohol-free trailblazer. She’s been sober since 2007 and is the founder of Zero Proof Nation and Booze Free in DC, two platforms focused on highlighting non-alcoholic beverages and the culture driving their growth. She serves in advisory roles to for and non-profits in the wider industry, bringing her expertise and lived experience to the table. 

Laura has given university lectures on non-alcoholic beverages and inclusivity in hospitality, two areas of deep passion and advocacy. She is a two-time judge at the World Alcohol Free Awards in London, tasting over 200 unique non-alcoholic beverages in two days. 

In 2023, Laura received a “Leader and Innovator of the Year” award from Sans Bar Academy, a non-alc small business incubator. When not on the karaoke stage, she is frequently sought after as an industry subject matter expert by publications such as Wine Enthusiast, NPR, Forbes, America’s Test Kitchen, and the BBC.

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Gabriel + Cliff:

Gabriel Rucker, Executive Chef and Co-Owner, Le Pigeon and Canard

Two-time James Beard Award winning Chef Gabriel Rucker is Executive Chef and Co-owner of

Le Pigeon and Canard in Portland, Oregon. Over the years, his highly original, off the cuff

creativity and recipe-free approach to cooking has gained him national acclaim. A native of

Napa, California, when school no longer piqued his interest, Rucker moved to the kitchen. In

2003 he moved to Portland and landed a coveted job at Chef Vitaly Paley’s home to Northwest cooking, Paley’s Place. In June of 2006, Rucker opened Le Pigeon, which quickly went on to win The Oregonian’s Restaurant of the Year. 

One of Portland’s most respected and decorated chefs, Rucker has earned two James Beard

awards for Rising Star Chef in 2011 and Best Chef Northwest in 2013. He has been named a

Food & Wine Best New Chef and a recipient of StarChefs Mentor Award.

Beyond the kitchen, Rucker has become a leading advocate within the restaurant industry for

recovery, health and fitness. In 2019 he helped to open the Portland chapter of Ben’s Friends, a restaurant industry recovery group. He also leads a weekly running and walking club

@birddogrunclub. Follow Rucker on Instagram @ruckergabriel.

Meet Worry Not!’s creator, Cliffton. Cliff’s intentional mission in the development and implementation of Worry Not! is to craft menus that are far more inclusive, giving the option for everyone to enjoy the communal drinking & dining experience.

Before moving to Portland in 2017 Cliff managed the Los Angeles mainstay, Wurstkuche. From there, he served as the General Manager at the iconic Baco Mercat under the guidance of James Beard nominated & Michelin Star awarded chef, Josef Cenento. He began his Portland industry journey as the General Manager of the legendary Pok Pok, and has proudly run the bar programs at both Jacqueline & Coopers Hall. He currently spends his working hours “putting things into cups” at Canard while heading the NA program at Le Pigeon.

Cliff’s alcohol-free journey began April 1st, 2023, initially as a “Sober April” to re-evaluate his relationship with alcohol. It quickly became clear that alcohol was no longer part of his life plan – the benefits of living alcohol free far outweighed the indulgence of imbibing. With products such as Wilderon, All the Bitters, and Joyus emerging in the market, Cliff envisions a future where ordering a NA modern classic will be commonplace.

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Kristen Bear is an actor, writer, and sobriety hype girl based in Nashville, TN. After years of bouncing from coast to coast Kristen found herself back in her home state in February 2020, disillusioned, and desperate for change. Now, at over four years sober, one of her biggest passions is sharing her sobriety journey and helping others find their own way to freedom. Find Kristen on IG and Substack @creativesobriety and join her in Costa Rica this fall for a booze-free vacation! https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-kristen-bear-oct-2024

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Drawing on 15+ years of experience managing bar programs in San Francisco, Phoenix, Oakland, and San Diego, Karl Goranowski is the Fenton Family Restaurants’ tenured Beverage Director across all five of the brand’s restaurant/bar concepts in Tucson, AZ. On a weekly basis, Karl can be found curating five distinct cocktail lists, a 250+ bottle wine program, and four craft beer programs –– across BATA, barbata, Tough Luck Club, Reilly Craft Pizza + Drink, and Fentonelli’s Pizzeria + Bar –– using local makers and seasonally available ingredients.
As a sober bartender, Karl taps into his decades of expertise and skilled team of over 20 bar professionals to bring his ethos to life: curated spirits in creative cocktails. Sobriety has broadened his focus to encompass the overall guest experience beyond drinks and service, which gives him a more thoughtful approach to inclusive options for everyone. Professionally, he has developed a solution-oriented mindset, emphasizing continuous improvement, fostering collaboration, and trusting his team's creativity.
A firm believer that the best drink a person can have is the drink in their hand, he focuses on creating flavorful, well-balanced cocktails that enhance the overall guest experience. He attributes all that he has to hard work, sobriety, camaraderie, and a little bit of luck.

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Chef Ricky Bella is a Portland native who's been cooking since the age of 17. Trained on the job and without culinary school, he has worked in some of the best kitchens in Portland for 16 years. He's been sober for 4 1/2 years now and has been pushing for the subject of addiction and mental health to be more openly talked about in his community ever since.

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

"Sean is an aging midwesterner with no intention of being an old man. He loves service and cultivating social vibes for everyone."

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Kim Lerner is a consultant, leadership coach for hospitality businesses and professionals at only yummy, always. She is also a professor on faculty at CUNY Kingsborough and The Institute of Culinary Education. On this journey through an ever-changing landscape, she defined the fundamentals of her own leadership style: kindness, trust, community, and building an in-house culture that transcends its four walls. It is this style of leadership that has made her a pioneer in the industry, challenging the status quo and always looking to better the climate of an industry she holds so dear to her heart. Kim operates the only way a NYC native with French roots can — with conviction, effortlessness and a side of beurre.

IG: @only_yummy_always

fb: onlyyummyalways

linked in: only-yummy-always & Kim Lerner

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to yellowbirdfs.com to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

In 1982 Mickey Bakst lost his first restaurant to alcohol and drug addiction, and it was also in that year that he found sobriety, after a long and painful struggle. For the next 40 years, Mickey watched countless peers lose their lives or destroy their careers due to their addictions. And for 40 years he asked himself, “What can I do to make a difference?”

After witnessing the death of yet another industry professional in 2016, Mickey and fellow restaurateur Steve Palmer founded Ben’s Friends, a support group for members of the food and beverage industry battling substance abuse and addiction. The mission of Ben’s Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse and addiction. The organization is named in honor of Ben Murray, a chef who took his own life in 2016 after a long struggle with alcoholism. Now with decades of sobriety under his belt, Mickey believes that there are countless members of the restaurant industry in need of support facing the widespread effects of alcohol and drugs. Through Ben’s Friends, it is his hope to help as many as possible.

As Ben’s Friends Executive Director, Mickey has dedicated himself to the organization and focuses on spreading the word about Ben’s Friends to existing and emerging chapters across the country.

Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to ⁠tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6

I've been so fortunate to have shannon as a friend. Anytime I've been in a room with her I'm in awe of how she makes those around her feel. She's welcoming, funny, honest, and humble. In an industry of personalities, it is rare to find someone so great in all they do, yet so approachable. I'm also fortunate to have been close enough to shannon to see the ways she's grown. In this conversation we chat about some of the positive outcomes of her decision to remove alcohol.

Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to ⁠tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6