The chef behind Hope Breakfast Bar has had a busy summer. Brian Ingram competed in a Food Network episode that aired Aug. 1, and Aug. 20 he celebrated a ribbon cutting for his new location in Woodbury. The event was organized by the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce.

“We’ve opened 17 restaurants across the Twin Cities in the last few years, and no city has shown up more than Woodbury,” Ingram said at the ribbon-cutting in thanking the community for the support.

The Woodbury location is at the corner of Radio Dr. and Valley Creek Rd. Ingram is CEO of Purpose Restaurants that operates Hope Breakfast Bar locations, Apostle Supper Club in St. Paul, and The Gnome Craft Pub in St. Paul.

On the Food Network, Ingram appeared on the “Beat Bobby Flay” program. Ingram said he was impressed by the caliber of the guests that included TV personality Gayle King. One of the judges also caught him off guard. “Joe Sasto was on the judging panel,” Ingram said. “Joe’s a really good buddy of mine, and I didn’t know that he was going to be on our show.”

Ingram smashed the first round against Day Joseph, winning the judges over with his take on Cara Cara orange French toast. He advanced to the final round against Flay, where they both coincidentally made the same dish, pancakes, Ingrams’s specialty, a fact corroborated by the syrupy sweet pancake tattoo on his shin.

Although the judges gave the win to Flay, Ingram said his friendship with Sasto remains as strong as ever.

One thing he would’ve changed about his experience? ”I kind of wish they would have talked about our heart for community,” he said “I wish some more of that would’ve came out.”

Ingram said giving back is part of his company’s DNA, dedicating three percent of sales for meals, food and donations for the needy.

For diners looking for a delicious breakfast with a side of altruism, Hope Breakfast Bar provides just that.