BILL BRACKEN
FOUNDER/CULINARY DIRECTOR
BRACKEN’S KITCHEN
WHY: Heads nonprofit that uses surplus food to provide meals for OC residents struggling with food insecurity, with goal to serve 2M meals annually.
IN THE NEWS: 10 years of operating nonprofit. Aims to rescue 300 tons of edible, unused food. Counts seven years of hosting company’s fundraiser and culinary competition The Hungry Games.
NOTABLE: Counts over 35 years of experience leading kitchens of acclaimed restaurants, such as the former Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach, now known as the Pendry. Also helped open and operate DivBar Smokehouse BBQ in Newport Beach until 2013.
