Mary Kay Bader didn’t start her career in a kitchen.

She got a degree in social work. Then someone she loved died. He cooked all the time. After he passed, she started cooking because it was comforting — and she never looked back.

She trained in France and Italy. Spent a decade at one of Denver’s best farm to table restaurants. Then went to Belize — where she helped win Restaurant of the Year at the 12th Annual Belize National Tourism Awards.

Then she came home.

To Grandview, Missouri. To her family. To a little storefront on Main Street where she sources every ingredient from local KC farms, makes everything completely from scratch, and puts the name of every farmer she works with on the wall so you know exactly where your food comes from.

She opened Simply Grand Kitchen and Creamery because she believed her community deserved world class food made with that kind of intention.

After I visited and cleaned her windows, she sent me this text:

“Hi. Thanks so much for being here. It’s been a struggle lately. If not for Gerald and all my regulars I may have given up already.”

We cannot let her give up.

100% of every dollar donated goes directly to Mary Kay to keep Simply Grand open. No fees taken. No middleman.

If you can’t donate — show up.

504 Main Street. Grandview, Missouri.

Wednesday through Friday 11:30AM–6PM

Saturday 9AM–2PM

Follow her at @simplygrandkc