SETTING THE TABLE
FOR SUCCESS

We believe in the power of food and hospitality to transform young lives. That’s why we provide under-resourced high school students and adults with culinary arts education, job skills training, apprenticeships, scholarships, and career opportunities that position them for lifelong success.

our impact

OUR IMPACT

K+
Students Served
Annually
K
Students Uplifted
since 1990
$M
Awarded in College
Scholarships
%
of Summer Job Trainees
Hired for Paid Internships
K+
Industry Partners
Cities and Regions
Across the US

HOW WE
DO IT

We are a national workforce development non-profit dedicated to creating career pathways for young culinary hopefuls.

Teacher and Student chefs in kitchen

WE

EDUCATE

via culinary arts & job skills training.

WE

SUPPORT

with food & hospitality college scholarships & grants.

WE

UPLIFT

through internships, apprenticeships, mentoring, networking, and job placement.

FOOD

IS OUR COMMON GROUND, A UNIVERSAL

EXPERIENCE

- James Beard

CELEBRATED ALUMS

Building careers through food

Our methodology works, and to date we have uplifted close to 400,000 students and awarded $73 million in college scholarships. Many of our alumni are enjoying successful careers at award-winning restaurants and 5-star hotels around the globe.

plate with knife fork and spoon inside

One student
at a time.

red Chef's hat

One chef
at a time.

red bowl with steam

One opportunity
at a time.

Chef Peter McQuaid

Peter McQuaid

Class of 2016

A true culinary prodigy and James Beard Foundation Taste scholar, this “Chopped” Spin It To Win It champion is at the helm of celebrated Scottsdale eatery Cala.

Chef Lester Walker

Lester Walker

Class of 1998

A renowned culinary artist, storyteller and founder of the Bronx-born culinary collective Ghetto Gastro, Lester merges food, fashion, music, art and design.

Chef Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva

Class of 2003

A Brazilian-born pastry chef based in New York and Boston, Thiago is celebrated for his innovative desserts and celebrity clientele.

Chef Amar Santana

Amar Santana

Class of 2000

A rising star in SoCal cuisine and multi “Chopped” contestant, Amar is successfully transforming the O.C. dining scene into a true food lover’s paradise.

Chef Tianna Gee

Tianna Gee

Class of 2014

The star of YouTube’s “Cookin With Tee” and winner of Food Network’s “Its CompliPlated” and “Battle of the Decades”, Tiana’s career ranges from being the sous chef at Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster to her heart-crafted pop up dinner series SoulPhil.

Chef Maddie DeMarco

Maggie DeMarco

Class of 2015

The Chef de Cuisine at Telluride’s La Marmotte, Maggie’s culinary journey began in childhood and her training spans Michelin-starred establishments worldwide.

Sommerlier Carlton McCoy

Carlton McCoy

Class of 2002

A master sommelier who has worked at some of the country’s most renowned restaurants, Carlton is now the CEO of Lawrence Wine Estates and Founder of the Roots Fund.

Chef Brother Luck IV

Brother Marcellus Luck IV

Class of 2001

A James Beard Award nominee and popular figure on cooking shows, Brother has three highly acclaimed restaurants in Colorado Springs.

Chef Lasheeda Perry

Lasheeda Perry

Class of 2004

A renowned pastry chef and Food Network star, Lasheeda leads the pastry team at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and formerly served as the executive pastry chef for Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta and Bon Appetit Management Company.