Breakfast of Cincinnati Champions
There are certain events that define Cincinnati’s culinary calendar, and the 2025 Big Breakfast is poised to be one of them. On Tuesday, October 28, at the Dress Pavilion, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati will gather three of the most influential figures in the city’s dining scene for a conversation that promises to be equal parts delicious and inspiring.
The event, aptly titled Hometown Heroes – Cincinnati’s Favorites Igniting Potential, brings together Mike LaRosa of LaRosa’s Pizzeria, Dick Williams of Skyline Chili, and Dean Gregory of Montgomery Inn. These are names every Cincinnati diner knows by heart, yet the breakfast will go far beyond the dishes they serve. Moderated by Michelle Hopkins, co-host of WCPO’s Cincy Lifestyle, the discussion will delve into leadership, community impact, and the responsibility that comes with being a household name.
LaRosa’s Pizzeria, founded by Buddy LaRosa in 1954, has become a staple for families across the Tri-State. Today, CEO Mike LaRosa oversees 65 restaurants in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, generating close to $185 million annually. Despite that growth, the company’s reputation still rests on the same values Buddy established in the West Side kitchen where it all began: listen, care, and react. LaRosa’s has built more than just a loyal customer base; it has created a culture that invests in local schools, nonprofits, and neighborhood causes.
Few brands embody Cincinnati’s identity quite like Skyline Chili. With its distinctive sweet-savory chili piled over spaghetti or tucked into cheese coneys, Skyline has been a go-to comfort food since 1949. Interim CEO Dick Williams continues the legacy of founder Nicholas Lambrinides while navigating an ever-changing restaurant landscape. Skyline’s role in local life extends beyond the plate: the company is a major supporter of events like the Crosstown Shootout and can be spotted in stadiums and arenas all over the region.
Montgomery Inn rounds out the panel with its unmatched barbecue heritage. Known simply as “The Ribs King,” Ted Gregory opened the original Montgomery location in 1951 and built a reputation that eventually drew five U.S. presidents, numerous sports icons, and a loyal following from coast to coast. Vice President Dean Gregory continues to preserve the company’s standards while expanding its reach. The restaurant’s fall-off-the-bone ribs and signature sauce may get most of the headlines, but Montgomery Inn’s commitment to Cincinnati is just as savory.
While the brands represented on stage are some of the city’s most celebrated, this breakfast is not just about Cincinnati’s culinary legacy. It is about how family-run businesses can foster the next generation of leaders. Each panelist has found ways to connect the success of their companies to the health of their communities. From sponsoring youth programs to donating time and resources, these organizations have made service part of their business model.
Michelle Hopkins will guide the panel through stories and lessons that are sure to resonate with attendees. What does it take to run a beloved family brand for decades? How do these companies adapt while staying true to their roots? And how can businesses of any size use their platforms to inspire young people and strengthen communities?
The Big Breakfast will also present the Big Impact Award, which celebrates a mentoring match from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati that best exemplifies the organization’s mission. That moment, like the panel discussion, will highlight the power of showing up for the next generation.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for those who want to support this one-of-a-kind morning. Anyone interested can reach out to Amanda Emmons Shumate at emmonsshumate@bigsforkids.org.
Cincinnati’s food scene has always been about more than what’s on the table. The Big Breakfast 2025 will prove it once again. For those who appreciate a hearty plate of inspiration served alongside the city’s most iconic names, the Dress Pavilion will be the place to be this fall.