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Georgia Trend’s 2016 40 Under 40
This year Georgia Trend celebrates 20 years of honoring outstanding Georgians under the age of 40 – the state’s best and brightest – and looks back at 20 of our picks from years past to find out where they are today.
The 2016 40 Under 40 represent business, government, politics, nonprofits, science, healthcare and education. The 40 were chosen from nominations made by readers throughout the state. Final selections were made by theGeorgia Trend editorial staff. We’re proud of our selections and glad we can share the stories of these Georgians and their achievements on the following pages.
Four representatives from this year’s group, shown here and on the cover, were photographed by Jennifer Stalcup. Shown clockwise from left, they are Sucheta Rawal, Go Eat Give, Smyrna; Brett Fowler, Turner Wood and Smith Insurance, Gainesville; Jaime Foster, Georgia Grinders Premium Nut Butters, Brookhaven; and Desmond Timmons, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain.
Individual profiles were written by Mary Anne Dunkin, Candice Dyer, Emma N. Hurt, Tom Oder, David Shivers, Bonnie Smith and K.K. Snyder. – Karen Kirkpatrick
Jennifer Hidinger 34
Co-owner and Spokesperson
Staplehouse and The Giving Kitchen
Atlanta
Jen Hidinger and her late husband, Ryan, spent years running a supper club to raise funds for their dream restaurant, Staplehouse. Then, in 2012, Ryan was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer. The restaurant industry rallied around him to raise funds for treatment and inspired a much-needed nonprofit organization, The Giving Kitchen.
“We extend emergency grants to workers in the restaurant and hospitality industry who are affected by an unanticipated crisis,” Hidinger says. “It’s inspiring to see a community rally to help its own.”
Ryan died in 2014, but the generosity of the community that supported him lives on in The Giving Kitchen. The organization has partnered with other restaurants, nonprofits and companies to raise funds, resulting in more than $800,000 disbursed to 450 recipients. Meanwhile, Staplehouse launched in November 2015. This year, the restaurant was named both a James Beard Award finalist and best new restaurant in the country by Bon Appetit magazine. The restaurant channels all net profits back into The Giving Kitchen. – CD