The Power 20: Pandemic Heroes

Erick Williams

Mar. 10, 2021

Erick Williams opened Chicago’s Virtue Restaurant in 2018 with a commitment to promoting social justice and the African American culinary legacy.

For this year’s Power 20 list, RB is recognizing restaurant folks who amplified their community outreach efforts during the pandemic. These operators stepped up in a big way to feed the hungry, organize relief programs for unemployed restaurant workers, advance social justice in the industry and raise funds to help those in need. Meet our 20 local heroes.

The Power 20: Pandemic Heroes

Randy DeWitt

Mar. 10, 2021

Co-founder Randy DeWitt decided to use the facility to produce 1,000 meal kits a day.

The Power 20: Pandemic Heroes

Helen Lao

Mar. 10, 2021

The three-part program encourages people to buy restaurant gift cards or pick up a meal from a favorite spot and share it on social media using the #StepUpToTheTable hashtag.

The Power 20: Pandemic Heroes

Michael Mina

Mar. 10, 2021

As chef Michael Mina thought about ways to help his thousands of furloughed employees early in the pandemic, he ultimately landed on what he does best—stretching dollars to feed people.

The Power 20: Pandemic Heroes

Andrew Rigie

Mar. 10, 2021

Rigie ensured that restaurant livelihoods weren’t disregarded in the scramble for public safety.

The Power 20: Pandemic Heroes

Carl Sobocinski

Mar. 10, 2021

Sobocinski rallied 30 fellow restaurateurs to join Table 301 in cranking out meals for the needy at catering levels, using federal relief funds to pay workers who would otherwise be jobless.

The Power 20: Pandemic Heroes