Join TBHF in Austin for a networking and happy hour event
featuring a Q&A with Mike Rypka, the Founder & CEO of Torchy's Tacos.

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		This event is offered exclusively to TBHF Alumni Association members If you have questions about the Alumni Association or need help renewing your membership, please contact [email protected]. For registration questions contact Denise Cinadr - [email protected]

Moderated by Robert Strong, Jr. Founder/CEO, Pretty Thai 2021 Veteran Award Recipient

The TBHF Alumni Association is excited to announce our first in-person networking and happy hour event of the year. Join us on Thursday March 30th in Austin for a conversation with the Founder & CEO of Torchy's Taco's, Mike Rypka. Mike will discuss his entrepreneurial journey and answer audience questions. Food and drinks will be provided! 

Michael Rypka, founder and CEO of Torchy’s Tacos, has been in and around the food business since he was 13 years old. After spending the early days of his career at Le Peep and Springfield Golf and Country Club, Michael enrolled in Johnson & Wales University in Miami, where he received his Culinary Arts degree and really got to work. 

During this time, Michael worked at Fisher Island and Mark’s Place and had the privilege of cooking for President Bill Clinton, Taste of South Beach, Taste of the NFL and countless exclusive gatherings. After Johnson & Wales, Michael received his degree in Business in Hospitality Management from Florida International University. 

Michael went on to become Executive Chef at many prestigious businesses including the World Bank, MTV Studios and Disney Animations, Enron and Dell Computers. Once exhausted by the corporate lifestyle, Michael decided to put his passion into something new, and before he knew it—the first Torchy’s Tacos food trailer was born in Austin, Texas. Sixteen years and over 100 Torchy’s locations later, you can still find Michael in the kitchen or hanging out at HQ, supporting his team and encouraging a culture focused on fun, innovative and affordable scratch-made food. 

The Q&A portion of this event will be moderated by Robert Strong, a 2021 Veteran Award Recipient. Robert is the founder and CEO of Pretty Thai® Specialty Sauces & Spices, which is focused on chef natural products. Pretty Thai® was a 2018 H-E-B Quest for Texas Best Finalist and is a Primo Pick in 220 H-E-B locations. Pretty Thai® has expanded into the Mid-West in 250+ Meijer stores, as well as into Imperfect Foods Nationwide. 

Robert E. Strong, Jr. is a former Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He holds a BA Cum Laude in history from Ithaca College, as well as a Certificate of Culinary Arts from Le Cordon Bleu Austin. Robert is the Founder/CEO of Pretty Thai® Specialty Sauces & Spices, which is focused on chef natural products. Pretty Thai® was a 2018 H-E-B Quest for Texas Best Finalist and is a Primo Pick in 220 H-E-B locations. Pretty Thai® has expanded into the Mid-West in 250+ Meijer stores, as well as into Imperfect Foods Nationwide. Robert is a founder of the 501 (c)(3) Palmer Nicklaus Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to support families through providing meals, advocacy programs, and research for Congenital Heart Defects and Heterotaxy. The Palmer Nicklaus Foundation is in memory of Robert’s late son, Palmer, who passed away from CHD and Heterotaxy in May of 2017.