S1 | E9 Manhattan Roots, Grand Rapids Heart: Chef Jenna’s Story of Family, Food and Love!

The Real West Michigan

Join host Eldon Palmer as he sits down with the inspiring Chef Jenna Arcidiacono to discuss her incredible journey from Manhattan to San Francisco and eventually Grand Rapids, MI with a few lessons and adventures on the journey! Chef Jenna shares her passion for food, love, and kindness through her restaurant Amore Trattoria Italiana and her heartwarming initiative, Food Hugs. This episode is filled with touching stories of compassion, adventure, and the power of community. Listen in to hear how Chef Jenna’s experiences and family heritage shaped her into the culinary force she is today.
Five Takeaways from this episode:
The Power of Food Hugs: Chef Jenna’s initiative, Food Hugs, started during the pandemic to support frontline workers and has grown into a movement of kindness, providing meals, groceries, and even vehicles to those in need.
Community and Connection: Jenna emphasizes the importance of connecting with others, whether through shared meals, support during tough times, or simply offering a smile and a kind word.
A Culinary Journey: From working at a small drive-in in Kentwood to managing a renowned restaurant in San Francisco, and finally opening Amore Trattoria Italiana in Grand Rapids, Jenna’s journey showcases her dedication to the culinary arts and her entrepreneurial spirit.
Family and Heritage: Jenna’s story is deeply intertwined with her family history, from her parents' meeting in New York to her Italian husband’s large family and their rich culinary traditions. These influences play a significant role in her approach to cooking and hospitality.

The Impact of Kindness: Throughout the episode, Jenna shares numerous stories of how small acts of kindness have a profound impact on people’s lives. She encourages listeners to think of others and take action, no matter how small, to make a positive difference in the world.
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: THE PALMER GROUP real estate team. The Palmer Group is an energetic team within 616 REALTY led by Eldon Palmer with over 20 years of experience helping people navigate the home buying and selling process in West Michigan. To support the channel and all of our guests, contact [e-mail], drop a COMMENT, SHARE, LIKE or SUBSCRIBE to this podcast. You can also learn more at https://thepalmer.group/ Whether moving to Michigan or anoth

Video Podcast available here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealWestMichigan
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: THE PALMER GROUP real estate team. The Palmer Group is an energetic team within 616 REALTY led by Eldon Palmer with over 20 years of experience helping people navigate the home buying and selling process in West Michigan. To support the channel and all of our guests, contact [e-mail], drop a COMMENT, SHARE, LIKE or SUBSCRIBE to this podcast.
You can also learn more at https://thepalmer.group/
Whether moving to Michigan or another state, we can help and would love to chat with you over a coffee or your favorite beverage!
HAVE A SUGGESTION? WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE PODCAST? Reach out to [e-mail] or send us a DM.
WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR 5-STAR REVIEW

Chapters

1. S1 | E9 Manhattan Roots, Grand Rapids Heart: Chef Jenna’s Story of Family, Food and Love! (00:00:00)

2. Origin Story of Chef Jenna (00:00:01)

3. Italian Romance and Family Traditions (00:12:59)

4. Entrepreneurial Journey Through Family and Business (00:20:45)

5. Social Media for Community Impact (00:30:12)

6. Community Connection and Food Hugs Challenge (00:40:03)

7. Food Hug Challenge and Impactful Acts (00:49:28)

8. Recognizing the Unseen Support (01:04:37)

9. Celebrating Women Chefs and Travel (01:08:34)

10. Restaurant Reviews and Responding With Grace (01:21:28)

11. Following Jenna's Wild Adventures (01:30:44)