This company links restaurant workers who need work with restaurants who need workers

Laurie Larsh

The Gigpro app was born in the most unlikely of places — a kitchen sink. Chef Ben Ellsworth was preparing for a restaurant grand opening when he found himself elbow deep in dishes. His dishwasher had bailed on his shift, and Ellsworth was left hanging.

Mid-scrub, Ellsworth’s phone buzzed to let him know someone had booked his AirBnB rental. “So I could get someone to book a room from halfway around the world, but I couldn’t find a dishwasher,” Ellsworth told CharlotteFive.

After testing the idea of linking gig workers with open shifts using a Facebook group, Ellsworth and his business partner, fellow chef Sean Brock, saw that there was not only interest but a need for a tool to bring these two groups together.

“There are a staggering number of unemployed, underemployed, displaced restaurant workers not only due to COVID, but because the industry stopped being attractive — 80% of the industry underpays and doesn’t incentivize,” Ellsworth said. “I’m a chef — I care about the industry, and I care even more about people who work in the industry. I wanted a way to connect these people with employers who will pay a reasonable living wage.”

Gigpro co-founder Sean Brock is a renowned chef, multi-time New York Times bestseller, host of Season 2 of the Emmy Award-winning television show “Mind of a Chef,” which was produced by Anthony Bourdain, and is currently featured on the Netflix show, “Chef’s Table.”
Gigpro co-founder Sean Brock is a renowned chef, multi-time New York Times bestseller, host of Season 2 of the Emmy Award-winning television show “Mind of a Chef,” which was produced by Anthony Bourdain, and is currently featured on the Netflix show, “Chef’s Table.”

There is no fee to “gigers” who use the service and no fee to businesses for signing up. When the agreed upon work is complete, restaurants pay Gigpro a fee of 15% of the total wages earned by the giger. Another thing that differentiates GigPro? “Businesses can recruit from the site — in fact, we encourage it,” Ellsworth said. Gigpro does not charge any recruiting fees.

Gigpro first launched in 2019 in Charleston, South Carolina, then expanded to Nashville in 2020 and has now arrived in Charlotte. Chef Sam Diminich, winner of Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay,” former chef at Upstream and owner of Your Farms, Your Table, has partnered with Gigpro to help fill his growing event and cooking needs.

“Our food and beverage community here in Charlotte is tight, and what Gigpro adds is not only a safety net of filling needs but also another opportunity to network, share and grow as a restaurant community,” Diminich said.

During COVID-19, app helps fill quarantine gaps in schedules

Other cities have already seen the benefits of Gigpro in action. “We had holes in our schedule weekly before using GigPro,” said Matt Bolus, chef and partner at The 404 Kitchen and Gertie’s Whiskey Bar in Nashville. “Between people having to quarantine for COVID-19 to people just not wanting to work, I can not think of a single week since reopening that we were not looking for a part-time or full-time position to be filled.”

Bolus said his first experience using Gigpro sealed the deal for him. His restaurant had been without a full-time dishwasher for months during the coronavirus pandemic and had struggled to fill the position.

“We put out countless ads, replied to just as many applicants, did numerous interviews, but just could not seem to nail one down permanently. Less than a few hours after signing up for Gigpro and posting the job, we had a pro in and hard at work. It was a busy Friday night, and this pro was by himself. Needless to say I just had my fingers crossed that he lasted the entire shift. Not only did he last the entire shift but in the middle of the rush he was so caught up he was helping us prep food.”

Caroline Hamlett is a hospitality worker who has completed various Gigpro shifts in the Charleston area — from bartending and catering, to line cook, server and dishwasher. “Every one of us in the industry could use more cash. This is an easy, transparent and honest way to do it. You have the opportunity to meet new people and maybe even garner more job offers,” Hamlett said.

Ellsworth, who has completed some shifts himself during COVID-19, said culinary schools have contacted him about utilizing the app to get students first-hand experience. “It’s hard to get your foot in the door in the restaurant industry when you don’t have experience. Even if you sign up for a dishwashing gig, you still get a behind-the-scenes look at how some of these top restaurants are operating,” Ellsworth said.

“Our food and beverage community here in Charlotte is tight, and what Gigpro adds is not only a safety net of filling needs, but also another opportunity to network, share and grow as a restaurant community,” said Sam Diminich of Your Farms, Your Table, pictured here with his children.
“Our food and beverage community here in Charlotte is tight, and what Gigpro adds is not only a safety net of filling needs, but also another opportunity to network, share and grow as a restaurant community,” said Sam Diminich of Your Farms, Your Table, pictured here with his children.

As Gigpro launches in Charlotte, it is looking to sign up both businesses and workers. “Charlotte is in an interesting space right now — so much growth and so much potential, particularly in hospitality, but lacking in specific tools, such as having a safe space to draw from a labor pool to ensure our individual success on a nightly basis,” Diminich said.

“Literally everyone in the business has needs right now, and those needs will only increase here in the near future.”

Get our newsletter

Sign up now to get CharlotteFive in your inbox daily.

Recommended Stories

  • As Iran backs away, US still ready to revive nuclear accord

    The United States is prepared to return to the Iran nuclear deal if Tehran shows “strict compliance” with it, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday. It's a new sign of Washington’s ambition to revive the deal rejected by former President Donald Trump even as Tehran appears to be backing further away from it. Speaking to the U.N.-backed Conference on Disarmament, Blinken laid out a U.S. wish list about many issues including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and space-borne threats in the future.

  • Michael Pittman not giving up No. 11 to Carson Wentz in Indy

    It sounds like Carson Wentz is going to have a new number on his jersey in Indianapolis. By Dave Zangaro

  • Just Energy Plunges on Going-Concern Warning With Texas Loss

    (Bloomberg) -- Canadian retail energy provider Just Energy Group Inc. is the latest company to emerge as a big loser from the recent Texas energy crisis, revealing that it lost about $250 million and may have trouble continuing as a going concern.The company said in a statement Monday that it can’t finalize its fourth-quarter earnings results while it reviews the impact of last week’s freezing weather in the U.S.Just Energy plunged 24% to $4.36 as of 10 a.m. in New York. In Toronto, it dropped 25% to C$5.44.“The financial impact could change as additional information becomes available,” it said in the statement. “Accordingly, the financial impact of the Weather Event on the Company once known, could be materially adverse to the Company’s liquidity and its ability to continue as a going concern.”Extreme gyrations in regional U.S. gas and electricity prices because of the cold weather in Texas have affected the finances of other companies as well. Atmos Energy Corp., one of the largest independent suppliers of gas in the U.S., revealed Friday that it’s looking to raise cash after committing to spend as much as $3.5 billion to secure fuel during the freeze.Just Energy, a retail energy provider specializing in electricity and natural gas, announced a recapitalization plan and a board shakeup last July, after concluding a strategic review to remain independent.Amid high debt levels and looming debt maturities, the recapitalization plan included a new equity commitment of C$100 million and converting C$420 million of preferred shares and convertible debentures into new equity. The company said the move would reduce overall debt by about C$275 million.In August it amended its recapitalization plan to issue C$15 million of new notes to holders of its old subordinated convertible debentures. The new debt has a six-year maturity and bears an annual interest rate of 7%.Just Energy also replaced its chief executive officer in 2019, and multiple U.S. power generators bid for the company.Scott Gahn who served on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (Ercot) board from 2005 to 2008, was tapped as CEO. Allianz SE is the top shareholder of Just Energy with about 29% of shares outstanding. Other shareholders include Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison’s Great Pacific Capital Corp. and the foundation of Tim Hortons co-founder Ron Joyce.(Updates market price in third paragraph.)For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2021 Bloomberg L.P.

  • Welp! Larsa Pippen Was Just Spotted Having Lunch with Scott Disick and Amelia Hamlin Amid Her Kardashian Feud

    The Kardashians think she's “toxic energy” so this is 👀.

  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Volunteers at Houston Food Bank, Helps Raise More Than $4 Million

    Devastating weather conditions are impacting people all over Texas.

  • A Comprehensive Guide to the Entire Mia Farrow, Woody Allen Family Tree

    Have this at the ready while you watch HBO's Allen v. Farrow.

  • Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Help Fund Women’s Shelter Repairs in Texas

    The Sussexes say their “hearts remain with the community” of people affected by the devastating Texas storms and flooding.

  • Bridgerton Star Regé-Jean Page Perfectly Spoofed His Own Show on Saturday Night Live

    “People just want me to be this guy who says, ‘I burn for you.’”

  • What 20 Famous Actors Looked Like in Their Very First Movie Roles

    Wait until you see Neil Patrick Harris.From Good Housekeeping

  • 34 Celebrity Couples Who Found Love After Being Set Up by Friends

    A blind date sounds pretty good right about now.From Good Housekeeping

  • 13 Red Carpet Photos From Classic Horror Movie Premieres

    Jada Pinkett Smith at the premiere of 'Scream 2' is a vibe.From ELLE

  • Prince William Is Reportedly "Sad and Shocked" by Prince Harry's Reply to the Queen

    "You don’t answer the Queen back—it’s just not done."

  • Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank Post First Family Pictures With Their Newborn Son

    Welcome to the royal family, little August!

  • 21 Easy Kitchen Storage Ideas Because Everyone Could Do With More Space

    In our dreams (and Pinterest boards ), we have a palatial custom kitchen with a merchandised walk-in pantry. In reality, our pots and pans teeter in cupboards and our junk...

  • Um, Serena Williams Spends $973 On Her Skincare Routine—Here's What It Entails

    The 39-year-old tennis legend loves indulging in skincare.

  • Your Horoscope This Week: February 21, 2021

    It’s the last week of February and the first full week of the Sun’s stay under the stars of Pisces. As Mercury wraps up its retrograde transit, communication breakdown isn’t completely ruled out due to post-retrograde shadow — and, of course, the fact that Mercury is shifting into Pisces, where dictionaries and complete thoughts go to drown. Venus, on the other hand, shines resplendent in Pisces as it moves closer and closer to the Sun, getting ready for a very special full moon in Virgo opposition on the 27th. While some of us might live in a nation that has no interest in taking care of the people who call it home, we can learn from each other how to lead and how pool resources. It’s not a short process and it’s no easy task to unlearn a doctrine that relies on greed, but with Saturn applying a square to Uranus throughout the course of the year, it’s not a matter of if we'll learn how to do this — it’s a matter of when.Aries Sun & Aries RisingIn the words of the great Missy Elliot: “Is it worth it? Let me work it. I put my thang down, flip it, and reverse it.” This week finds you with ample opportunity to figure out, Aries, what all is worth your energy and extended interest. The question isn’t what you can bring to the table, because you already know that you can — given the right ingredients — set the scene for a veritable feast. This is about waiting to see what’s on offer and how it benefits you before you lay down your offering. And, it’s about being aware of your penchant for writing more checks than you can cash, both figuratively and literally, and deciding that it’s someone else’s turn to treat.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoTaurus Sun & Taurus RisingSome beliefs we have about ourselves are made up of our experiences. Other beliefs were something we inherited or were taught to believe about ourselves and other people like us. These beliefs were rarely tested because we assumed them to be true (certain bodies don’t belong in certain spaces, certain genders are better with emotions, etc.). As we get older, it gets harder to parse which of these beliefs are rooted in truth and which just have deep roots. The truth is, either way, these are stories we nurture about ourselves. Stories, dear friend, can change. This week, when you find yourself having a conclusive, limiting thought about how you are, try your best to work your way down to the root. Is it always true? Can you imagine an exception?Illustration by Stefhany LozanoGemini Sun & Gemini RisingJust because things don’t seem to be getting easier doesn’t mean you’re not getting better at working with them. Sometimes flow is less about ease and more about recognizing and accepting the rhythm when the song is playing — even if it’s a tempo quicker than you’re used to. Whether or not you expected it, you’re learning to adapt, and your lessons have been serving you. This week, when familiar troubles crop up, try to notice if you’re responding to them differently or if another approach occurs to you. The kind of self-observing will help you mark your interior progress and celebrate your growth. Positive reinforcement works!Illustration by Stefhany LozanoCancer Sun & Cancer RisingI know it can be tempting to stay in your shell and convince yourself that relying on others is not worth the impossible expectations they might have of you. It’s true that crabs can be either solitary or collective creatures but, dear Cancer, you’re much more likely to thrive in collaboration. Developing new relationships and deepening current ones gives you the opportunity to share your growth and in sharing it, find support for it. This week, try your best to notice when fear of being misjudged or mistreated gets in the way of your deep desire to connect with people and share your work. To operate out of fear is to limit what you’re capable of doing for yourself and others.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLeo Sun & Leo RisingSometimes what feels safe isn’t what you ultimately need to feel good. Lots of animals retreat when they get overwhelmed or when they need to rest. When recharging is the goal, it’s wise to do whatever you need to do to fill the well and attend to the absolutes only. Energy is a life force, after all, and one can’t tap the reserves forever. This kind of retreat, especially in difficult times, makes sense as an act of self-support. But, Leo, you thrive when you take chances on yourself and go beyond your comfort zone. Pushing yourself past the familiar allows you to access your confidence and self-regard. This week, challenge yourself to incorporate something that makes you a little nervous/excited into your schedule. Big or small, it’ll make a difference. Illustration by Stefhany LozanoVirgo Sun & Virgo RisingSometimes getting to know who we are is not something we can fully accomplish on our own. While hermitage and self-inquiry and therapy can teach us to recognize our own patterns of thinking and being, only relationships can teach us about the ways we connect with other people. The key is keeping your focus on how you communicate, react, and respond; noting when you feel comfortable expressing yourself freely and when you feel the need to be on guard. This week, try your best to notice these things in the interactions you have with others, whether they be lovers, close friends, or acquaintances. Observe from a place of curiosity, not self-judgement — as if you’re studying the behaviors of a gentle creature you have yet to fully understand.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLibra Sun & Libra RisingIn times like these, dear Libra, we’ve really got to take our joys where we can get them. Of course, there’s work to be done and commitments to attend to, but if you don’t know how to reward yourself, then what will compel you to the finish line? And, it’s not your fault if what once brought you joy elicits an emotion that feels muted now. It’s no moral failing if your preoccupations appear out of sync with the world around you. I know you like to practice what you preach but some parts of ourselves are just for us to understand — and no one else. There’s no one right way to access pleasure, no one right way to reward. There’s only what feels right for you in the moment — and the fact that you deserve a moment for yourself. Illustration by Stefhany LozanoScorpio Sun & Scorpio RisingWhat we owe to our collective changes because the collective changes — and so do the needs therein. You show up one day with first-aid kits and what’s necessary is raincoats; you come back with raincoats and there’s an excess, so you leave your offering and look for a different hole to plug. All this seems logical and acceptable — one can hardly expect something alive to be stagnant and predictable. Do you think it’s possible, Scorpio, to approach other living structures with this same level of grace? Can you work your way down from “my community needs something else” to “my role in my friend’s life is changing” to “I can’t have the same expectations of myself now that I had last March”? You like challenges, don’t you? Give it a try. Illustration by Stefhany LozanoSagittarius Sun & Sagittarius RisingIt might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes when we feel farthest from the self we recognize, we’re closest to understanding the self we are becoming. A part of that experience is the ability to recognize that while we may be uncomfortable, we are not exactly a fish out of water. In fact, while the water might be choppy, there’s something satisfying in the swim, some pride we didn’t expect to feel. These kinds of explorations often occur in difficult times, when we must use up our resources and our limits are tested, we find that we are more powerful than we let ourselves believe. As the water calms and the destination comes into view, the work of integrating who you are now into your idea of yourself arises. How will you begin the task?Illustration by Stefhany LozanoCapricorn Sun & Capricorn RisingThere’s only so much a person can do to satisfy everyone else. And it takes a toll, doesn’t it? The measuring up and squaring away, the feeling that no matter how clearly you can see the goalpost, it’s bound to move the moment you get near it. What if this week, you put your satisfaction before any other obligation? Don’t stop at the agreements you made with others — other people have nothing on all the ways you get in your own way. If there’s an ancestor you’re about to supposedly disappoint, a promise you made when you didn’t have all the information, a gospel you’re more than ready to reinterpret in your own favor, go ahead and get a little wild.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoAquarius Sun & Aquarius RisingWhether you’re aware of it or not, the ways that you’ve managed to take up space in the world have started to transform your relationship to it. There’s a quiet feedback loop that provides you with rich data about who you are and how you are received, data that up until now was too narrow to provide you with any useful conclusions; data that up until now might have been susceptible to the biases of your upbringing. The set is getting larger and your interpretations can rely less on what you were taught and more on what you know to be true for you. If you had doubts about your qualifications, your doubts are ready to be dispelled. If you’re ready to change your relationship with wealth, then wealth is ready to change its relationship with you.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoPisces Sun & Pisces RisingBeing good at relationships isn’t about what you can do for others, especially if what others need is counter to what you need. On some core level, you know this, and have always known it. But, it can be hard to hold on to what you know when you find yourself up against someone else’s beliefs about love and taking care. It’s not that you get swept up in other people’s expectations, it’s just that the practice of being open to other points of view can lead to being unsure about how much you still trust your own. While this week might give you plenty of reasons to doubt your right to say no, you’ll find that, rather than negotiating a way to avoid setting limits, establishing a temporary boundary will do a lot more to address your concerns than ignoring them would.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Your February Horoscope Is HereCalling All Dreamers: Pisces Season Is HereHow Important Is Your Roommate's Zodiac Sign?

  • Chrissy Teigen Pays Tribute To Baby Jack On What Would’ve Been His Due Date

    "Today was your due date. we love you forever," she wrote.

  • Princess Anne Thinks Harry and Meghan’s Royal Exit Was “The Right Thing to Do”

    Harry's aunt is firmly Team Sussex.

  • Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish Want to Take You on a Road Trip

    You won’t even have to leave your living room.

  • Meghan and Harry Made a Major Donation to a Texas Women's Shelter

    The Sussexes demonstrated their commitment to public service once again.