Paying it Forward

ChefWhat BBQ & MORE Helps Spread Kindness with Food

ChefWhat BBQ & MORE has become more than just a place to enjoy smoked meats and homestyle cooking. Through the restaurant’s Pay It Forward board, owner Josh Bennett of Henderson, strives to fight hunger in his community and invites others to lend a helping hand to those falling on hard times.

From Passion Project to Community Hub

Josh’s journey to opening ChefWhat BBQ & MORE was an unexpected one. He began by smoking meats on weekends and sharing with friends and family. 

“I didn’t really have any restaurant experience. I worked in a restaurant and washed dishes when I was really young. Didn’t do culinary school or anything. I just like to cook, and I bought a smoker, and was smoking stuff on the weekends and sharing it on Facebook,” he said. “I had a lawn care business at the time. And it got to the point that every day out mowing grass, all I could think about was cooking and selling food.”

What started as a small side hustle quickly grew into a business, with demand leading him to open a restaurant in January 2021, right in the middle of the pandemic. Reflecting on his path, Josh notes the challenges, but he is grateful for the overwhelming support his restaurant has received.

The Birth of the Pay It Forward Board

Witnessing firsthand the struggles of many in his community, Josh was inspired to start the Pay It Forward board. “People would come in asking if we could help out with food for their family, or they didn’t get paid until the next week,” he explained. Realizing the need in Henderson, he wanted to find a way to provide support sustainably. The concept is simple but impactful: customers can purchase a meal or donate funds, which are converted into tickets placed on the board. Those in need can then take a ticket, redeem it, and enjoy a hot meal without question.

“It’s just a board in there, and it has food tickets on it, and there’s a sign above it that says, ‘Take a ticket or leave a ticket,’” Josh explained. “People can donate for a pork sandwich or anything on the menu.” The program allows for everyone to participate in making a difference, and the community has embraced it as well.

Supporting Those in Need

The Pay It Forward board has met an essential need in Henderson. Josh says that on an average day, six to eight individuals or families come in to redeem tickets. Many of these patrons are homeless, and the program has become a reliable source of food for those who might otherwise go hungry. “We get regulars who come by almost every day,” he said. “I’m just grateful to know that they got at least one good meal that day.”

Josh’s compassion for his community is evident. When asked about potential abuse of the system, he replied, “That’s between them and God. It’s not on me to judge.” He has established a one-item-per-person policy to ensure fair distribution but remains dedicated to offering help to those who truly need it.

Making a Difference Beyond Food

The Pay It Forward board is a multi-faceted source of hope. For those in need, it provides a simple, dignified way to access a meal. For customers, it offers an opportunity to give back in a tangible way. Many patrons who have previously received help now return to donate, completing a full circle of kindness and gratitude.

Josh shared one recent story of a regular patron who, after a period of hard times, came back with enough to pay it forward. “He came in, bought his food, and then put a couple of things on the board. That, to me, is like seeing it come full circle.”

Through ChefWhat BBQ & MORE, Josh and his family have built a place where meals bring the community together in the spirit of giving.

ChefWhat BBQ & MORE is open five days a week, Tuesday -Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM. Anyone interested in supporting the Pay It Forward program can donate at the restaurant, located at 422 7th Street in Henderson.