Benny DelValley. Living in a 28-Foot Teepee and Getting Hit with Chopsticks.
Tue Feb 03 2026
A great laugh and a warm spirit resonates throughout this passionate self-taught chef.
Listen as this Urbana native talks growing up in the diversity of Urbana, the opposing demographics of the Broadlands, team sports, alternative schools, working in dozens of kitchens, the importance of culture and food, the misery of manual labor, the incomparable feeling when cooking for others, couch surfing, working 20-hours per day and finding a home at the VFW 630. There are so many lows in this story, Benny took a lot of hits. However, he kept finding himself returning to the kitchen to find direction and happiness.
I'd like to thank this episode's sponsor, FirstLine Urgent Care. Local Emergency Department doc, Kurt Bloomstrand and wife and ER nurse, Sarah, are dedicated to this heart-led passion project. The Bloomstrands are opening a local and modern urgent care, FirstLine, at 2043 S. Neil Street in Champaign. Care you know. People You Trust. Follow firstlineurgentcare on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and visit firstlineurgentcare.com.
Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!
Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.
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A great laugh and a warm spirit resonates throughout this passionate self-taught chef. Listen as this Urbana native talks growing up in the diversity of Urbana, the opposing demographics of the Broadlands, team sports, alternative schools, working in dozens of kitchens, the importance of culture and food, the misery of manual labor, the incomparable feeling when cooking for others, couch surfing, working 20-hours per day and finding a home at the VFW 630. There are so many lows in this story, Benny took a lot of hits. However, he kept finding himself returning to the kitchen to find direction and happiness. I'd like to thank this episode's sponsor, FirstLine Urgent Care. Local Emergency Department doc, Kurt Bloomstrand and wife and ER nurse, Sarah, are dedicated to this heart-led passion project. The Bloomstrands are opening a local and modern urgent care, FirstLine, at 2043 S. Neil Street in Champaign. Care you know. People You Trust. Follow firstlineurgentcare on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and visit firstlineurgentcare.com. Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops! Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.