Aur Beck has two big passions: energy equity/security and food equity/security. Since 1999 he has owned AES Solar, a growing company dedicated to expanding the use of green energy in Southern Illinois. It was in 2009 when he got serious about food equity/security providing free meals during the derecho that left communities with week-long power outages. Aur has cooked weekly for several free meals initiatives, in-person like “Rice in & Spice”, a weekly international slow food free dinner, and later on, leading the Leave it to Chef online show. What made these activities special was the approach to growing a community around food equity bringing hundreds of food lovers together as cooks/chefs sharing their food & culture.

After years of working to find a certified kitchen to use, he decided to set up his own kitchen in downtown Carbondale at 216 North Washington. Now the fully renovated kitchen has become an innovative shared-use space that brings culinary entrepreneurs together and serves as a hub for other providers.

#FeedingOthersIsLove