Help Curtis Kimball’s Family Carry on His Legacy

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters:

With heavy hearts, we share the devastating loss of Curtis Kimball the legendary “crème brûlée guy” who (along with his brother Brian Kimball) took San Francisco by storm in 2009 through the guerrilla street food movement they started. Curtis was fueled by his love for SF and his joy in adding quirky fun to the city through something that he personally loved. Food aside, what truly resonated for loyal customers was Curtis’ unique wit and hilarious meme-worthy branding. He was definitely “packing heat" with the sweets.

More than any business accomplishment or New York Times mention, Curtis’s proudest moment during this time was meeting and marrying his wife Nicole, with whom he would blissfully go on to build their family. Curtis was the proudest “girl dad” to Harper (7) and Eloise (4, counting down to turning 5) as well as their soon-to-be-brother (arriving this summer). He built them a magical childhood in the idyllic setting of Sebastopol, complete with a treehouse just right for conspiring to perfect their Uno battle strategies for anyone that dared to challenge them. (Admittedly we have fallen many times to these little champions).

One of the things Curtis valued most was creating and fostering community. During COVID, he saw the loss of connection that all of us felt. But what made Curtis special was his willingness to act. In his typical way, he decided to make free pancakes for his Precita Park neighborhood, cheekily sharing that it was because his wife “told him he was getting weird and needed to make friends.” With his signature humility and warmth, he hung laugh-inducing fliers around the neighborhood inviting all to come and share a syrupy moment together.

What started as a lighthearted way to make friends turned into a movement that earned him a new title of the “Pancake Guy,” landed him on the Drew Barrymore Show, and a well-deserved feature in Upworthy’s recent book, Good People. Curtis even did a cross country tour, popping up to serve free pancakes and strengthen communities for thousands of people searching for his unique blend of playful hot-takes, humor and warmth.

Curtis gave so much to those around him and the community he loved without asking for anything in return. As his friends, we ask you to consider a donation of support to help Nicole and their children through this heartbreaking loss. Any contribution, big or small, will go to support household expenses, particularly the kids’ education as the whole family looks to the future. If you can’t contribute, please consider sharing. Your kindness means the world.

With gratitude,

Matt & Mel

(friends & honorary family)