Bourbon and Bowties Gives Back
Some events just mean more to us — and Bourbon and Bowties is one of them. For 7 years, Biscuit Belly has been proud to take part in this beloved Louisville event benefiting Norton Children’s Hospital, which cares for around 215,000 children every year across Kentucky and Southern Indiana. What makes it especially close to our hearts is our own Director of Culinary Operations, Hannah McClain, who’s served as a featured Chef for the last 6 of those years. Her story is a big part of why this cause matters so much to the Biscuit Belly family.
Hannah’s Story
The summer before 5th grade, everything changed for Hannah. Almost overnight, she couldn’t keep food down, spiked a high fever, and grew more and more lethargic. Her family knew something was seriously wrong and rushed her to the ER at Kosair Children’s Hospital (now known as Norton Children’s).
For six long days, doctors searched for answers. On the seventh, a CT scan finally revealed the cause: a severe E. coli infection that had led to a double kidney infection. That scan quite literally saved her life.
The years that followed weren’t easy. Hannah faced mononucleosis, epilepsy, Dysautonomia, Chronic Fatigue, and Fibromyalgia, and in high school, after a full review of her medical history, she was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos, a genetic disorder that tied so much of it together.
Through every step of that journey, Norton Children’s felt like a second home. The team that pushed for the CT scan that changed everything, and the caretakers who made her feel safe and cared for along the way, left a mark Hannah still carries with her today.
Bringing Things Full Circle
Hannah’s illness was connected to a foodborne illness caused by improper food handling. This fact profoundly shaped the trajectory of her career. As the Director of Culinary Operations at Biscuit Belly, she now leads food safety standards across all of our locations. This teaches operators and trainers the importance of food safety standards. It’s a responsibility she takes to heart and a story she’s proud to share.
Life Beyond a Diagnosis
At one point, Hannah wasn’t sure what her future would look like. Today, she leads culinary operations for a growing restaurant brand, and every year at Bourbon and Bowties, she is reminded of just how far she has come and how Norton Children’s made that possible.
The event also gives her the chance to reconnect with the mentors, chefs, and colleagues who helped shape her into the leader she is today. Over 16 years, the Bourbon and Bowties event has raised approximately $4 million for the Norton Children’s Foundation, and we are honored to be part of that legacy year after year. 🤍
Visit Biscuit Belly
To learn more about the Bourbon & Bowties event and its incredible impact on children across Kentucky and Southern Indiana, visit the Norton Children’s Foundation event page.
Ready to experience what Hannah and the Biscuit Belly culinary team have created? 👩🍳 Visit biscuitbelly.com and start your order today!