Entrepreneur with a Purpose: Interview with Wayne Kostroski of Taste of the NFL

CHICAGO - Sept. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- When the average sports fan thinks of the Super Bowl, they usually think of nail-biting games, the halftime show, the unique and elaborate commercials, and pigging out on as much food and beer as possible.  When it comes to the Taste of the NFL (http://www.tasteofthenfl.com/), it’s all about the party, but it’s ‘The Party With A Purpose.’

The Party With A Purpose is an annual event hosted by Taste of the NFL the night before the Super Bowl held in the host city of the game.  A chef from each NFL city team pairs up with a past or current player of that team to volunteer for the event to feature some of the best food and celebrities from each city, all in an effort raise awareness and dollars to kick hunger.

Wayne Kostroski started Taste of the NFL in 1992 when the Super Bowl was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which was where his restaurant was located.  Through working with amazing chefs from around the country, Wayne had been a part of many great charity events, including Wolfgang Puck’s work with Meals on Wheels.  Wayne got chefs to come to snowy Minneapolis from Miami, Phoenix, and beyond, all to help fight hunger.  The first event had 1,000 attendees and was sold out in a week.  The event is now the hottest event each year and brings in nearly 3,000 people annually.

The Taste of the NFL is a nonprofit organization that supports the battle against hunger.  All proceeds from events, including ‘The Party With A Purpose’ go to support local food banks.  The 2013 event (http://www.tasteofthenfl.com/superbowlevent) will be hosted in Brooklyn, and is expected to bring in $1 million, which is enough to provide 8 million meals for those in need. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Food Bank for New York City (10%), Community Food Bank of New Jersey (10%), and Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger (10%), as a gesture of goodwill to the borough for serving as the event’s host city. The balance of the proceeds will be donated to the designated food bank in each of the other NFL cities, as well as key hunger relief organizations across the country.

Wayne Kostroski began his entrepreneurial endeavors in the late 1970s.  Wayne was a professional musician before running an entertainment and nightclub in Minnesota.  Wayne then started working within restaurants and later on owned several well-known restaurants in the Minneapolis area.  Wayne continues to co-own Cuisine Concepts in Minneapolis along with working with the Taste of the NFL.

2013 CEO National Conference

Wayne Kostroski will be speaking at the 2013 Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO) National Conference in Chicago, which will be held October 31 – November 2^nd at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.  Wayne will be talking to students and young entrepreneurs about why giving is good business, and why you should be giving as you go instead of waiting till you reach a plateau of success or have something tragic in your life inspire you to help others.

“You don’t have to have a checkbook to make a difference.”

Out of his accomplishments and work over the past few decades, Wayne is most proud of the feedback he receives from families and children that benefit from work that he and other volunteers have given to help others.   Wayne feels very blessed to have had the opportunities he has had to make an impact and “is pumped” about speaking at the 2013 CEO National Conference.

This is just the appetizer, listen to the full interview with Wayne Kostroski here! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lziVjLrOS0I&feature=c4...)



Interview Highlights

- How Wayne transitioned from being a professional musician to a restaurateur.

- Wayne recounts one encounter with a 6 year-old who thanked him for giving back.

- Why helping others is important, no matter how much or how little time or money you have.

- The best piece of advice that Wayne has ever received.

To hear Wayne speak at the 2013 CEO National Conference, register here. (http://www.cvent.com/events/2013-national-ceo-conference/...)