Wayne Kostroski, 2010 James Beard Humanitarian of the Year, is founder of Hunger Related Events,, a non-profit organization that raises awareness and dollars for hunger relief. Now entering its 30th year $26 million has been distributed to food banks across America through its programs and events.

One event, most known for raising awareness and dollars for hunger relief during the Super Bowl, is Taste of the NFL. Kostroski founded the Taste of the NFL in 1992 while serving as chair of the Restaurant Committee for the Super Bowl XXVI Task Force. He created the TNFL’s first “Party with a Purpose®” that has since become a coveted event of Super Bowl weekend. On the eve of Super Bowl Sunday, 32 of the nation’s best chefs (one from each NFL city) and a current, alumni, or Hall of Fame player from each NFL team come together for a night of food, fun and football. All event proceeds support local and national hunger organizations.  In the past 29 years the Party with a Purpose® has helped create over 200 million new meals for those who are food insecure.

A well-known Twin Cities’ restaurateur, Kostroski is co-owner of Cuisine Concepts, a full-service consulting and management company offering specialized services to the hospitality industry. His entrée into the food and hospitality industry began in the late 1970s. A professional musician at the time, he was offered the opportunity to enter into the restaurant business as the beverage and entertainment manager for the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and the St. James hotel in Red Wing, MN. Since 1980 he has played an instrumental role in creating and developing several of the Twin Cities’ premier dining establishments, including Pronto Ristorante, Figlio, Tejas, Goodfellow’s, and Bar Abilene.

Kostroski was also currently a co-owner of Franklin Street Bakery (FSB), a national wholesale bakery founded in 1990.  The breads of FSB can be found in restaurants and hotels in over twenty states.