"Always Giving Back"

I could tell you a lot of interesting stories. Stories you’d never believe but I’ll keep it brief.

A long long time ago I was driving back home from a grueling road trip and didn’t have a dime. I had not eaten and I was coasting into a gas station on “fumes”. What was I going to do? I was desperate. I saw only one person and it was a very cold, snowy and dark. I gingerly approached this woman thinking this is a longshot… and asked… “Madam. May I borrow $5?” She responded “for what?’ I explained I had no money and no gas but I was close to my home of Hershey. I asked her if you give me your address I will send you a check for $5. And that’s what I did.

You see I prayed that night for a miracle while I was coasting in the snow and I learned at a young age to “do what you say you’re going to do”. It shaped me for the future.

So I’ve been in some really tough situations. Down on my luck, down on myself and just plain down. I use the $5 as an example but I’ve been in some really tough situations throughout my Life and I did everything but fold.

This is why I am so gung ho about “Giving Back”. I’m lucky to be where I am and doing what I love to do. I’m always up to help a Charity. Recently I was asked to be the Judge of local restaurants at The Carpenter’s Shelter Annual Cook Off. What an honor that was to meet and talk to all these area professionals. Turns out we helped raise $90k that day. It’s another experience that I will forever cherish. There have been many and they have all been involved. It takes lots of time and energy to help but it’s so rewarding. I credit all this due to the love of Hospitality.

I didn’t get the microphone that day so I couldn’t tell my one and only joke about the restaurant on the moon.

So when you’re down shake yourself off and just try harder. It worked for me.

Yours truly,

Chef Keller