All Food Has Power.
All People Have Potential.Equipping people labeled as “unemployable” to launch meaningful careers
Every human being deserves a chance to reach their potential.
When people have troubled pasts or complicated circumstances, they’re often labeled as “unemployable”. Whether they’re transitioning from incarceration, foster care, or homelessness, escaping domestic violence, or struggling with mental health or substance use, society has a tendency to cast them aside. So they feel stuck – powerless to escape a life of poverty.
At Kitchens for Good, we believe every human deserves a chance to reach their potential. Through our apprenticeship program, our apprentices gain the knife skills and life skills they need to launch meaningful careers, so they can move forward in life and make a positive impact on their communities.
The Kitchens for Good Recipe for Success
We train.
People in vulnerable circumstances enroll in our culinary apprenticeship program.
Apprentices practice.
Apprentices craft healthy meals to be distributed to hungry San Diegans and through our catering social enterprise.
Lives change.
Apprentices find meaningful employment, using their new skills to create a better life.
Big event coming up?
Check out our custom catering.
Award Winning Food
Worry-Free Coordination
Budget-conscious prices
Sustainable Employment
9 out of 10 Kitchens for Good graduates find sustainable employment.
And there’s even more to celebrate…
Fighting Food Waste
We rescue cosmetically imperfect and surplus produce from wholesalers and farmers.
Since 2015, we’ve saved more than 80 tons of perfectly edible food from hitting the landfill.
Feeding the Hungry
Our apprentices are able to give back to the community by preparing nutritious meals for under-resourced children and seniors.
So far, our students have made over 300,000 meals for food insecure San Diegans.
Social Enterprise
Our apprentices get on-the-job training creating gourmet meals for our nonprofit catering business. All income is reinvested in our programs.
Our catering has wowed thousands of guests, from intimate dinner parties to corporate events.
Together, we can help people start again.
Unemployment rates among vulnerable populations in California are a staggering 20%-50%, and half of inmates released from prison are incarcerated again within three years.
Together, we can help people get unstuck and equip them to move forward into a meaningful future.
Catering Testimonials
See what people are saying about us!
Thank you for making my birthday celebration a most memorable and special event. I loved all the personal and detailed service I was given. The food was delicious. Cooked and presented with perfection. My compliments to the chef, servers, and everyone involved. My guests complimented all the extra special treatment they received. Everything was done in a professional manner. I look forward to my next event.
The staff at Kitchens for Good is great! From the people behind the scenes, coordinating the events, to the person at the front desk, everyone at the Jacobs Center is friendly and helps to create a welcoming atmosphere. The building and facilities are beautiful and really go to show the success that the Jacobs Center has had in the community. I definitely look forward to holding more meetings at the Jacobs Center and would recommend this facility to friends, family and colleagues. Thank you!
I just wanted to thank you and the entire catering staff for the fabulous Christmas dinner that we had yesterday from you. The staff that we encountered while picking up the food were very friendly, happy and delightful to work with. Please share with your chef and all the food preparers how much we enjoyed the dinner. The food was fabulous! Everything had a great taste and many positive comments were made regarding the taste – all positive. Many blessings and wishes for a happy holiday season for you all.
Jobs are important. Careers are Transformative. On average, 81% of employed graduates receive wage increases and promotions within 18 months.
