After Losing His Huntington Home, Daniel Shemtob Gives Back

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Daniel Shemtob is proof that in times of tragedy and uncertainty, individuals can make a big difference—and when companies work together, they can have an even greater impact.

A celebrity chef and the co-founder of Snibbs, a Los Angeles-based work shoe brand, Shemtob lost his Huntington house in the Palisades fire, but the 36-year-old is using his ingenuity and resources to help the community he has grown to love recover.

Snibbs launched its first culinary collaboration February 7 with another LA-born kitchen and lifestyle brand, Hedley & Bennett, which is known for its apron line.

Their collaboration, the Orbit SE, is a sneaker designed to be multifunctional and lightweight. It is certified slip-resistant, water resistant, and made with 100% vegan and nearly 100% recycled materials. This newly imagined take on Snibbs’ bestselling Orbit design aligns with four core values the two brands share: functionality, comfort, durability and style.

“Helping, for me, is healing, and this charitable initiative is merely the latest in ongoing wildfire relief efforts from both of our businesses,” Shemtob said. “At the heart of this collaboration is the spirit of LA—resilient, creative and always looking out for each other.”

A percentage of proceeds from sales of the Orbit SE will be donated to Restaurant Care—a nonprofit run by California Restaurant Foundation that has established grants for food and beverage workers impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires.

“This isn’t just about making great shoes, it’s about supporting all the hardworking chefs and service workers who keep this city running,” Hedley & Bennett Founder Ellen Marie Bennett added. “We’re proud to give back to the community that’s given us so much.”

The companies have mobilized by offering free shoes, food, aprons and kitchen gear to aid workers, volunteers and displaced individuals. Additionally, pairs of the Snibbs x Hedley & Bennett Orbit SE are being donated to the employees at Holy Smokes Kosher BBQ and Piccalilli, two catering operations that have been feeding firefighters and fire victims.

Bennett’s mom lost the home she grew up in, while Shemtob and his wife, Elyse, were just beginning to get comfortable in their home before everything changed January 7.

“We moved to the Huntington neighborhood in April … we liked the proximity to the Village,” said Shemtob, who grew up in Orange County but relocated to LA when he was 18. “My wife’s parents were building two blocks down on Toyopa. I was resistant at first, but about one month in, I fell in love with the Palisades.”

He recalled how January 7 unfolded.

“It was 11:07 a.m. and I was on a weekly call when my wife came running in to tell me that Lachman Lane was on fire,” Shemtob said. “Her parents were staying with us. I didn’t think the fire would get near us, so I went back to my call. They all packed up and left for my sister’s place at around 11:35. I walked outside to see my neighbor across the street putting paintings in his car, so I grabbed my laptop and homemade meatballs and left at 12:10.”

That night, his home burned to the ground. As shocking as it was for him, Shemtob’s instinct to assist however he could kicked in. A few days later, he posted this statement on Instagram:

“On January 7, my family and I lost our home in the 2025 Palisades fire—but even in the midst of heartbreak, I knew we had to step up. Partnering with World Central Kitchen, our team at The Lime Truck has been out there feeding first responders, evacuees and anyone who needs a hot meal. I’m so grateful to Eater for sharing our story with a wider audience, furthering our mission—because it’s partners like these that stand behind our city when we need it most. It’s in moments of great challenge that you remember how you showed up. I’ve been humbled by the kindness and support of so many … My footwear company is also doubling its giveback this quarter, giving away 1,000-plus shoes, and with a special release coming soon where profits will go directly to families and first responders.”

The Snibbs x Hedley & Bennett Orbit SE is a non-slip work shoe that features a high-stretch, breathable fabric and quick-lace technology on the top, with a strong support structure and wide toe box for extra comfort.

Two colorways are available that meld Snibbs’ modern approach to traditionally sturdy and functional footwear with the bold pops of color that have become synonymous with Hedley & Bennett—Illy, featuring deep saturations of black and dark blues with red accents; and Foliage, shades of sage, tan and cream inspired by raw vegetation and complemented by a dash of burnt orange.

This joint venture has been over a decade in the making, as Shemtob and Bennett both have chef backgrounds and established companies three blocks away from one another.

From riding bikes together through downtown to championing each other’s scrappy businesses—Daniel was launching his Lime Truck fleet and Ellen was hand-delivering aprons to chef friends—both were determined to make their mark on the industry. Today, they are each successful business owners, inspired to craft culinary attire that stands up to the chaos of a kitchen.

“Ellen’s one of my oldest friends in the industry, and we’ve always talked about collaborating someday,” Shemtob said. “It was simply a matter of timing and finding the right thing. As my team laid out our plans to update our popular Orbit shoe, we knew we had to partner with the best kitchen outfitter out there, and that’s Hedley & Bennett.”

“At Hedley & Bennett, we don’t just create gear—we craft tools that work as hard as you do,” Bennett said. “This collaboration with Snibbs is all about function at its core, designed for the hustle, in the kitchen and beyond.”

Snibbs is the brainchild of Shemtob (chef and two-time winner of Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race”), his high school best friend and entrepreneur Halik Zadoyan, and well-renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jason Snibbe (LA Lakers and Clippers).

Opened in 2015, Snibbs offers four styles–Spacecloud, Rovr, Orbit and Clog—and implements a Community Giveback Program, giving financial assistance and a free pair of shoes to those experiencing financial hardship.

Ellen founded Henley & Bennett in 2012. It has produced aprons and kitchen gear that are “stylish” and “built to last.” Pro grade and pro-chef tested, Hedley & Bennett was born out of a need for something better: an apron developed hand in hand with talented, obsessive chefs.

Shemtob launched The Lime Truck in 2010 with a simple mission: create the best possible dining experience for its guests, introduce a surprisingly elevated food truck concept and to have fun while doing it.

For three years in a row, it was selected one of the top five food trucks in America by Yahoo! Last year, the company started the Food Truck Mogul Academy—an online community for learning everything there is to know about building a successful food truck empire.

“It’s hard to put into words how these wildfires have changed my life,” Shemtob said. “I know I’ll be processing it for a long time. I’m deeply grateful for everyone who’s shown up with donations, volunteer help and kind words.

“Surprisingly, the toughest part hasn’t been losing the clothing or items I’ve collected over the last 35 years. Instead, it’s the dream my family and I had of living on the Westside together—walking to the market, strolling to local schools and enjoying nature just steps away. Now that dream is either gone or on hold, and it’s hitting me harder than I expected. Still, I’m committed to staying in service—running a purpose-driven business, caring for those around me and cherishing each relationship in my life.”

After a long family talk, Shemtob said he does plan to return to the Palisades and is looking for a lot to build on. He moved three times in the first month and a half after the fire, but he and his wife are currently staying in Beverly Hills, where Daniel used to live.

“I want to give back,” he said. “This is an opportunity to help people who are helping others … Our goal is to continue our aid as long as we can.”

By ALICJA MORAWIEC | Owls Patrol Leader

On Saturday, March 15th, the Owls Patrol from Scout Troop 223G got together for our third and final trip, the Good Turn Trip.

The Good Turn Trip is a service trip organized once a term by each patrol leader to give our Scouts opportunities to live out the BSA motto of helping others. For this, we volunteered for the Hand to Hand Hunger Project, run by Executive Director Kevin Glover.

Hand to Hand is an organization dedicated to caring for those who are unhoused in Santa Monica and surrounding communities to provide people with a better quality of life. It was first started in 1987 by Robert Myers and is currently run by Mr. Glover who has been involved with the organization for over 10 years. Many of the current volunteers were once guests and were assisted by the Hand to Hand Hunger Project.

As the Owls’ patrol leader, I chose the Hand to Hand Hunger Project for our Good Turn Trip because it connected me and my patrol to our community more than any other volunteer opportunity would. We get to talk to the people experiencing homelessness and we get to see the effect of our help firsthand.

Addison, who is my Assistant Patrol Leader, and I got to the Salvation Army building in Santa Monica where Hand to Hand holds their weekly Saturday volunteer event at 7:30am to help with set up. We wiped down tables and chairs in the dining hall before setting out flowers and hand sanitizer in the middle of each table.

Following that, we took boxes of crackers, assorted cookies, water, and apple juice to put into grab-and-go snack bags. We made over 100 bags in our assembly line.

By 8:30am, the rest of the patrol had arrived. Everybody helped sort out clothes by separating shirts, pants, and dresses in piles to hand out later when the guests arrived.

Tables were set out in a circle in the courtyard. UCLA Health came as well to give medical check-ups to those who needed it and set their own table. Other tables included the snack bags we had packed, personal hygiene products such as soap, toothbrush and paste, and a table for spiritual connection.

When all the preparation had been finished, Mr. Glover had all volunteers introduce themselves, and as an icebreaker, share their favorite actor. Duties and table assignments were made, and a prayer was shared.

At 9:00am, the front doors were opened and guests began filing in. They first went to the dining hall for a warm meal and coffee. Bread rolls, potatoes, scrambled eggs, and a sausage patty were served. However, if they preferred a vegetarian meal, there was roasted zucchini and avocado. I estimate that we served over 100 guests over the 2 hour time period.

While the guests ate, Addison and I walked around to pass out water and apple juice. Simultaneously, Alanna and Alaia offered coffee with cream and sugar if the guests wanted it. Avery and Alexis helped serve food to those eating there in the dining hall.

When the crowd had finally slowed down, Alexis and Avery stood by the door to hand out plates with food and water out when guests entered. At 10:30am, the dining hall was closed and we began to help with the clean-up.

We removed the flowers and hand sanitizers from each table, as well as cleaned all leftover trash. Then we wiped down all tables and chairs to make sure they were clean for next time. The chairs were then stacked up on the tables to let other volunteers wipe the floors.

We were all very satisfied and happy to be able to help within our community. I learned that there are so many people in Los Angeles and the surrounding area who are struggling with homelessness and many gather at Hand to Hand for a warm meal and a sense of family.