When Ryan Costin arrives at Gigi’s Playhouse, students from the Down Syndrome Achievement Center greet him with hugs and excitement. “They’re the older teens who may be getting ready to launch out of high school and into adult roles,” he explains. Costin brings food, utensils and everything the group will need to practice meal-preparation skills. Tacos are always a hit, especially an easy dessert version the students like to make with tortillas, bananas and Nutella. “I show them how to cook safely and efficiently. It’s so rewarding to see them grow,” he says.

Costin is the kitchen manager at Cabo Fish Taco Ballantyne, and he’s part of the restaurant’s outreach program to support the disability community.

Its roster of charitable works is expansive. It’s helmed by Cabo Ballantyne partner and co-owner Craig Calcasola, who has a background in event planning. He and his wife, Patty, have three daughters, one with Down syndrome.

Now, in the restaurant’s fifth year, Calcasola recalls his original vision. “Even before we opened, in my mind, it was always going to be something that we would do: Incorporate charitable elements into what we’re doing at the restaurant.” He recognized that the growth of the Ballantyne campus would be a plus.

That was the start of the Taco Dash, a 5K road race that began in 2021. Its mission is “to support local businesses and organizations that train, employ and provide life-skills for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. Its goal is to see all individuals with autism, Down syndrome and other physical and developmental disabilities find their purpose and place in the community.”

In the years since the first race, the event has grown as Calcasola has invited community members across business, civic and creative communities to participate in the Taco Dash and other activities. Daughter Sophia, an Ardrey Kell High School senior, has taken on some of the logistics for the event.

Renee Ratcliffe was a special education teacher who loved to bake. When she realized her hobby could raise funds and equip people with job skills, Cakeable bakery was born. Its workforce training program supplies mini-breads, cheese biscuits, brownies and more to retailers and markets around the city.

“Craig is quite the connector,” she states. After Ratcliffe hosted a table at a Taco Dash several years back, she remembers, “He said, ‘We’re excited about what you do, and we would love for part of the proceeds to support you.’” Those proceeds helped Cakeable purchase a delivery van and develop its wholesale business.

Now, Cakeable is so successful that Ratcliffe plans to launch a storefront café this year. The demand for programs — and products — continues to grow. “Because we have such a huge waiting list, we’re looking at locations for another kitchen,” Ratcliffe says.

As runners sped by on the 2023 Taco Dash course, they encountered something remarkable: artist Treana Suggs creating her vibrant, mixed-media paintings. Artists can be reclusive,
but not this one. She’s discovered a talent for creating works of art in front of an audience. Her pieces are large, up to 30 inches by 40 inches. At live painting events, she adorns canvases with
layers of acrylics and spray paint in an abstract style. “It’s not easy; I have to work at it,” she says. “It’s about life, inspiration and my passion.”

Her father, graphic artist Tracey Suggs, noticed her talent early on and encouraged her. The Suggses met the Calcasolas while both families were volunteering at a charity activity. “Craig invited Treana to come out,” Tracey recalls. Treana worked her magic during the Taco Dash and went on to participate in the uptown Festa Italiana. She has sold many of her works
to civic groups and private individuals as far away as Boston. One of her creations hangs in the restaurant.

Also, inside the restaurant, you may notice Miller Brydon wiping down tables and tidying things. If you like sour cream, there’s a good chance Brydon has helped put together your catering order. He works at Cabo three or four days each week, filling condiment cups and doing other general tasks. This job isn’t his first stint in the food world. He also appears in online promo pieces for Bear Food, the company his brother, Mac Brydon, owns.

Miller likes his restaurant job. “It’s my jam,” he says. He enjoys staying busy, and despite what some people may believe about people like him who have Down syndrome, he states confidently, “I understand a whole lot more than you think.”

This year’s Taco Dash is slated for Oct. 26, but plenty of things are happening between now and then. For one, Calcasola will run in the 2024 Boston Marathon to raise funds. Also, the North Carolina Special Olympics operates programs year-round.

Calcasola likes to say, “Once you give an individual a purpose and a place, they will thrive.”

Says Cakeable’s Ratcliffe, “Everybody plays a part. Just like in a recipe, whether it’s the flour, baking powder or salt, every ingredient matters.”

By Amy Rogers