After devastating hurricane tears through Gulf Coast, Bahr brings comfort food to the front line
When Hurricane Laura hit restaurateur Cory Bahr's Louisiana hometown in late August, the celebrity chef jumped in his 2020 Nissan TITAN so he could help his community recover.
"As a restaurant owner, we're not just committed to growing our sales and revenue," said Bahr, a Nissan TITAN Ambassador. "We're serving our community. That means when the chips are down, and even when we're in a pandemic and things aren't financially stable, we're out doing what it takes to prop up our community and provide."
When it was safe, Bahr utilized his TITAN to help neighbor's clear debris from their Monroe, La. property and restarted his "Red Bean Relief" program that provides a free meal to first responders and anyone in need. Bahr calls it comfort food, which consists of red beans and rice with a side of pork chop. Over the years, he has served thousands of these free meals.
"You've got to take care of those who take care of you," said Bahr. "Just like our first responders, we've got to be there for them when they need us."
But according to Bahr, he couldn't do this without his loyal companion pickup truck.
"It's almost like we're one," he says. "I couldn't do it without my TITAN, especially its off-road capability. The Zero-Gravity seats also help me to put in long days without back fatigue."
Earlier this year, three tornados tore through one of the most economically depressed parts of Louisiana on Easter Sunday. Bahr used the TITAN to haul meals to hospitals and emergency rooms to provide "Red Bean Relief" to more than 2,000 people.
In addition to helping however he can during hurricane season, Bahr regularly provides the local Children's Coalition with soil, mulch, gardening tools and plants for a program that helps at-risk youth.
"The coalition has come to expect me, my TITAN and a truck bed full of supplies to show up," Bahr said. "My TITAN is a tool that I call upon to go above and beyond."
Although Bahr is known nationally for his culinary skills, he still credits his success to the close-knit Monroe community that supports him. His goal is to always be ready, capable and reliable, just like his TITAN.
"It would be irresponsible to not be there for my community, because they are here for me."