DeRusha Eats: Franklin Street Bakery
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Super Bowl is just one week away, which means it is also just one week until an event that's become a huge part of Super Bowl Weekend – Taste of the NFL.
Taste of the NFL was founded by a Minneapolis bakery owner and restaurateur when the Super Bowl was in Minnesota in 1992.
Saturday, Jason DeRusha eats with Wayne Kostroski at Franklin Street Bakery.
The baking never stops.
From ciabatta to whole grain to artisan, nearly 1.5 million pounds of flour a week are used at Franklin Street Bakery.
"Franklin Street Bakery has grown nationally, mostly for our breads," Kostroski said.
Every week Kostroski's team makes 200,000 loafs of bread.
He set up in the inner-city, even though it'd be cheaper to be in an industrial park.
"Giving is good business," he said.
In 1992, Minneapolis had the Super Bowl. Kostroski threw a party to raise money to fight hunger. Thus, Taste of the NFL was born.
"It was meant to be really cool event on Saturday night. No pun intended in 'cool,' it was January back then. It turned out to be a hot event. It was the hottest ticket at Super Bowl," Kostroski said.
"These are the cupcakes I'm making for Taste of the NFL event in Arizona," baker Lynne Hackman said.
Hackman has been baking for the Taste of the NFL since the beginning.
Her bakery's chocolate ganache cupcake is one of the best DeRusha said he has ever had.
"The cake is so moist. What's the key," DeRusha asked.
"Love," Hackman said. "I know that was cheesy."
Taste brings Hackman's cupcakes and great chefs from every NFL city and pairs them with player ambassadors.
"It's amazing who the founding chefs were: Bobby Flay, Tom Collichio, Robert del Grande," Kostroski said.
Since 1992, they've raised $22 million for local food banks.
"Which means 170 million new meals have been created. Way to go Minnesota," he said.
Kostroski was just honored by the NFL with the Pedestal Award, an award honoring charity work usually done by former players.
"I'm not a big fan of the phrase, "OK, it's time to give back." "I've been so blessed, I'll give back." I feel that, all of us feel that. But don't wait until you're at a point that you can give back. As I say, give as you go," he said.
Kostroski's business is doing well and doing good.
He can't wait for Taste of the NFL to come home for the Minneapolis Super Bowl in 2018.
"I had no idea it would grow to this size and magnitude and visibility. But, I'm glad it has because it's helped a lot of families," he said.
The money from Taste of the NFL goes to fight hunger. And Minnesota residents can get involved this week.
On Thursday Jan. 29, WCCO radio is hosting the "Let's Kick Hunger Day" radiothon where you can call in and donate.
Just $1 provides four meals.
