Meet the
SQUAD

  • Favorite part of your day: Towards the afternoon time/end of class, when the students are completing their dishes for the day. Seeing how happy/proud/ecstatic they are with their final product never fails to put a smile on my face. Not to mention the taste tests!

    Favorite kitchen gadget: Homemade ice cream ball

  • Baking Instructor

    Favorite part of your day: My favorite part of the day is pulling out a successful bake from the oven and seeing all the students pride in their work. It’s all about their “I made that” moment. :) 

    Favorite kitchen tool: My favorite tool?  My hands, hands down.

  • Baking Instructor

    What do you enjoy most about Kitchens for Good: The best part of the program is seeing the progress made. I love seeing those “lightbulb” moments when the apprentices fully understand a concept and technique. I truly enjoy when promoted apprentices come back and share their experiences and how they are continuing to grow.

    Most unusual food you’ve tried: My grandmother used to make pickled pigs feet. I remember many times coming into her kitchen and seeing the pig trotters hanging out. This was never something that my friends would eat or enjoy, but I loved the jellied, vinegary flavor and texture and think about it often.

  • Grant Writer

    What do you enjoy most about Kitchens for Good: I like working for Kitchens for Good because my north star is bettering our clients’ lives not boosting stock holders’ profits.

    A funny cooking memory: As a kid I loved baking cookies. Once my glasses slid out of a pocket into the oven. The frames melted into the shape of a snake and startled me!

  • Sales Associate

    Favorite Part of Your Day: Getting to interact with the PB community (& their dogs!) Everyone is so kind, laid back, and supportive of our mission and what we are doing at the shop. Love the beach life vibes here! Such an amazing community to be a part of.

    Most unusual food you’ve tried: Years ago while in Singapore I tried a balut flavored candy. I didn’t love it but it was interesting to try :)

  • Director of Marketing & Communications

    What do you enjoy most about KFG: The opportunity to contribute to people transforming their lives. I really enjoy getting to know the Apprentices and working with the Chef Instructors.

    Most unusual food you’ve tried: Jellyfish. Not nearly as scary on a plate as in the ocean, it had a mild, saline flavor with a texture somewhere between a cucumber and a glass noodle. 

  • Development Associate

    What do you enjoy most about KFG: I love getting to be part of an inspiring and determined group of people who are willing to overcome a lot for their dreams.

    Favorite kitchen gadget: A bread knife! OR a gluggle jug…if you know, you know.

  • Grant Writer & Manager

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  • Program Manager

    Most memorable moment at Kitchens for Good: My most memorable moment at KFG was during the early days (end of 2020 during the height of COVID), I remember the great energy at the first “Mock Cafe” (Cafe 404) at the Jacob’s Center. It was the first time KFG had tried this and one of the first times people were venturing outside of their homes. It was such a good learning experience for the Apprentices. I still remember, our Apprentice Tony’s rice bowl – they all created a special dish on the menu. It was an awesome time! 

    Favorite kitchen gadget or tool: That terracotta brown sugar keeper thing – no one likes hard brown sugar! Or a good quality Japanese-style Santoku knife.  :)

  • Digital Marketing Communications Coordinator

    Favorite part of your day: The morning check-in questions are a lot of fun with staff and the apprentices. Especially when it’s a question like Pie vs Cake.

    Most unusual food you’ve tried: A scorpion. 10/10 would not recommend.

  • Director of Operations

    Favorite part of your day: Working with the Apprentice and watching them grow and succeed is my favorite part of being a part of the KFG team.  It is an honor to show up everyday and see what impact I can bring to help our Apprentice and team members continue to offer as much support to our internal and external partners that make KFG successful.

    A funny cooking memory: KFG is a training environment and it allows for a lot of opportunities to try again and again.  I have always enjoyed watching the Apprentice cook eggs 9 ways.  They had no idea how hard it is to get the perfect egg, but they learn that you stick with it and you will get to your perfect egg :) 

  • HR Generalist

    Favorite part of your day: The best part of my day is our morning check-ins with the KFG team and Apprentices. Some mornings are filled with laughter and some with tears, but it is such a valuable part of getting to know each other, building trust, and recognizing we are all here for the greater good.                                                      

    Favorite kitchen gadget: Love my air fryer! I picked it up from the KFG Shop in Pacific Beach, and then spent the following 6 months air frying the life out of everything. Unsure what to do with boring ol chicken? Air fry it. Pancakes? Air fry it. Pickles? Air fry it. The options are endless! 

  • Director of Programs

    What do you enjoy most about KFG: I love when apprentices share their work success stories!  It’s so inspiring to hear that someone has taken the skills they worked so hard to develop during their classroom training and are now exceling at a local restaurant.

    A funny cooking memory: I tried to make a cake for my Mom’s birthday when I was about 8.  I wanted it to be a surprise so I got up early and did it by myself, but I didn’t understand the difference between baking powder and baking soda.  So it was a very flat cake, and I was so upset!  She was still happy but I’ll never forget the lesson – ask questions if you don’t know something!

  • Director of Human Resources

    What do you enjoy most about Kitchens for Good: Being part of a team that is truly is committed to the success of the apprentices.

     Favorite kitchen gadget: Tostonera 

  • Chief Executive Officer

    Most memorable moment: On September 15, 2015, Kitchens for Good signed its first lease for a kitchen and onboarded 34 employees. We had about $25,000 in the bank, and the need to be successful was never more apparent. 

    Favorite kitchen gadget: My vintage cast aluminum garlic press. It’s so sturdy and has lasted 30 years. Plus, it has contributed to some of my favorite meals and provided endless fun for my kids during their playdough phase. 

  • Donors Relations Coordinator

    What do you enjoy most about Kitchens for Good: Between connecting with apprentices, working alongside amazing coworkers, chatting with our donors, and eating amazing food, working at Kitchens for Good hardly feels like work at all!

    Favorite kitchen gadget: A Salad Spinner & a Santoku Knife

  • Iva

    Lead Cook

    What do you enjoy most about Kitchens for Good: That we are more like family than co workers. I’m so big on family. 

    A funny cooking memory: Don’t really have a funny one but my favorite memory is just all eating together and talking about life

  • Minu

    Program Coordinator

    What do you enjoy most about Kitchens for Good? What I most enjoy about Kitchens for Good is the dedication we have to growing and serving the community.

    Favorite kitchen gadget: My favorite tool is a coconut opener. Before this, I would dangerously open my coconut with a butcher knife!

  • Manny

    Lead Steward

    What do you enjoy most about Kitchens for Good: What I enjoy most is how we help people accomplish what they come to school for. I love how always keep doors open. I also love the warmth and love staff give each other. We are family.

    A funny cooking memory: My favorite cooking memory I have is the one time the students had an hotdog eating contest it was so much fun.

  • Amanda

    Culinary Chef Instructor

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  • Karen

    Lead Cook

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Meet the
BOARD

  • Heather

    Baking Instructor

    What do you enjoy most about Kitchens for Good: The best part of the program is seeing the progress made. I love seeing those “lightbulb” moments when the apprentices fully understand a concept and technique. I truly enjoy when promoted apprentices come back and share their experiences and how they are continuing to grow. Most unusual food you’ve tried: My grandmother used to make pickled…

  • Jocelyn

    Baking Instructor

    Favorite part of your day: My favorite part of the day is pulling out a successful bake from the oven and seeing all the students pride in their work. It’s all about their “I made that” moment. :)  Favorite kitchen tool: My favorite tool?  My hands, hands down.