First Slice

Specialties

Pies

Not for Profit

Community Outreach

Soup Kitchen

Subscriber Program

Job Placement Training

Catering

Café

local organic products

Farmers Market

vegetarian

vegan

gluten-​free

History

Established in 2004.

First Slice is a not-​for-​profit, community-​supported kitchen that provides wholesome food for those living in need in Chicago. It is our mission to foster programs that link those living in poverty with those who are more fortunate and to create strong relationships with other community-​based organizations. We strive to address the immediate needs of hungry Chicagoans, and to develop long-​term solutions to solve the problems of poverty and homelessness.

First Slice currently runs outreach programs to a diverse group of community-​based organizations including the Epiphany UCC, Broadway Youth Center, Night Ministry, Jane Adams Hull House, North Park Elementary, and Pilgrim.

Mary Ellen Diaz, First Slice’s founder, plays a key role in creating a self-​sustaining program to feed the same high– quality meals she prepared in her restaurants to people living in need in Chicago.

Meet the Business Owner

Mary Ellen D.

Business Owner

A former student of Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France, l’Ecole des Arts Culinares in Lyon, France and Madeleins Kamman’s School of American Chefs at Beringer Vineyards in Napa Valley, Diaz achieved three-​star ratings for her cuisine at both Printer’s Row in 1996 and North Pond Café in 1998.

After three years of creating exciting dishes for Richard Melman of Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, Diaz reassessed her goals and discovered a more meaningful way to share her knowledge of cooking and in life. Instead of giving those in need the scraps and leftovers, we offer them the first slice of the same high-​quality food served in her restaurants. Each meal is carefully designed to create a perfect match of flavors and feeling while using organic vegetables, fruit, meats, and vibrant spices.

First Slice first opened its doors in the Lillst Arts Center, another in Ravenswood at 4664 N. Manor Street, and our newest location opened in Andersonville in March 2012 at 5357 N. Ashland Ave.

First Slice also recommends

Colectivo Coffee

83

reviews

Caffè e Tè

Mary Ellen D. says,

«We are proud to serve Alterra coffee at our cafes.»