When chef Rodney Baca and his wife Madelyn saw how the COVID-19 pandemic was ravaging their community and small business owners, the philanthropic duo decided to help fellow restaurateurs, restaurant workers and food suppliers.
The Bacas created Chef’s Market through their nonprofit, Baca Systems, to support restaurants struggling to stay open during the pandemic.
Chef’s Market brings together five local restaurants — including Baca’s own restaurant, The Shop by Chef Baca — in a parking lot in Downtown San Jose through Jan. 12. The five restaurants launched a drive-thru meal pickup near South First Street to be staffed by onsite employees from the restaurants.
For every meal that is ordered, a second meal will be prepared, at no cost to the patron, and donated to San Jose Ship Kits or Hunger at Home, two charities that support unemployed, underemployed and unhoused families due to the pandemic.
