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Chef Ben Maides of Au Courant in Benson is gearing up to compete in the Food Bank for the Heartland’s Celebrity Chef 2026, bringing his culinary experiences and dedication to local produce to the forefront.”I cook what I like to cook,” Maides said.Maides said he learned a lot of cooking styles from all the places he has traveled. “I learned a lot out there, and Au Courant’s kind of turned into the expression of the food in my travels,” Maides said. He emphasized the importance of Nebraska’s local products in his cooking. “We are very Nebraska-driven by the products we source and the producers we try to highlight here. It’s really not so much about us, but about the farmers that we support,” Maides said.Maides explained the reason behind changing the menu weekly. “The reason we change the menu every week is because we do our best to highlight what’s coming out of the ground from our local producers,” he said.He said he learned what kind of chef he wanted to be through his time in Napa Valley.”I just kind of continue to focus on being better and cooking better food and trying to do everything just a little bit better,” Maides said. Despite not considering himself the best competitor, he promises to make something special. “I’m very proud of my team here at Au Courant. They all do an amazing job, and selflessly, we say we have the best crew in Omaha,” he said.Maides is eager to participate in Celebrity Chef 2026 for a meaningful cause. “If that’s something I can help with, I’m so happy and grateful to be a part of that and just be a very small piece to help feed people,” he said.
Chef Ben Maides of Au Courant in Benson is gearing up to compete in the Food Bank for the Heartland’s Celebrity Chef 2026, bringing his culinary experiences and dedication to local produce to the forefront.
“I cook what I like to cook,” Maides said.
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Maides said he learned a lot of cooking styles from all the places he has traveled.
“I learned a lot out there, and Au Courant’s kind of turned into the expression of the food in my travels,” Maides said.
He emphasized the importance of Nebraska’s local products in his cooking.
“We are very Nebraska-driven by the products we source and the producers we try to highlight here. It’s really not so much about us, but about the farmers that we support,” Maides said.
Maides explained the reason behind changing the menu weekly.
“The reason we change the menu every week is because we do our best to highlight what’s coming out of the ground from our local producers,” he said.
He said he learned what kind of chef he wanted to be through his time in Napa Valley.
“I just kind of continue to focus on being better and cooking better food and trying to do everything just a little bit better,” Maides said.
Despite not considering himself the best competitor, he promises to make something special.
“I’m very proud of my team here at Au Courant. They all do an amazing job, and selflessly, we say we have the best crew in Omaha,” he said.
Maides is eager to participate in Celebrity Chef 2026 for a meaningful cause.
“If that’s something I can help with, I’m so happy and grateful to be a part of that and just be a very small piece to help feed people,” he said.
