Making a Difference

Celebrating Culinary Education

Last week, Jacques, Claudine, and Rollie attended “Technique, Taste & Tradition: The Institute of Culinary Education’s Celebration of the Legacy of The French Culinary Institute” (FCI) in New York City. It was a festive reunion of culinary luminaries, including former FCI chefs, deans, staff, and alumni, with remarks from Rick Smilow, Richard Simpson, Leland Clark, Lee Anne Wong, and of course, Jacques and Claudine Pepin.

Catalyst Kitchens Northeast Regional Summit

This week, JPF staff were treated to two days of inspirational programming at JPF grantee DC Central Kitchen for the Catalyst Kitchens Northeast Regional Summit. The JPF is proud to support the fine work of the Catalyst Kitchens members (many of them also JPF grantees), and it was thrilling to see so many familiar faces out of their Zoom boxes and in the beautiful facility at DCCK!

JPF 2023 Annual Report Now Available

The JPF 2023 Annual Report is now live on our website! The report features a letter from Executive Director Rollie Wesen with a teaser of our big announcement to be made at the Gala, a timeline of what 2023 looked like for the JPF and our grantees, a summary of the funding that we distributed in 2023 and an introduction to every one of 2023’s 15 Principal Grant Awardees and our first ever Partnership Circle Grant Awardee.

Request for Proposals

The JPF has now officially opened applications for our 2024 grant cycle! Applications are welcome from existing nonprofits for general operation costs OR specific projects to enhance a culinary training program. Grant proposals may include general operating costs, costs for membership fees to join a community kitchen network, funds to improve facilities, expand programming, directly improve teaching, add certifications, support alumni, or expand or improve upon employer partnerships.

Tickets Now Available for the JPF Gala!

The Jacques Pépin Foundation 7th Anniversary Celebration Gala will be here before we know it! Join Jacques for a gathering of celebrated chefs and media personalities, amazing food and drinks, and all the razzle dazzle of New York City! It’s happening on April 4, 2024, at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers (Pier 61).

Prioritizing Professionalism

After its students graduate into the workplace, Food Jobs Work Foundation in North Little Rock, AR prioritizes placing graduates with employers who truly engage with their training program. Members of the Professional Advisory Council serve as program advisors and mentors, meeting and working with students during training, speaking in class or graduation, and assisting with culinary events.

Taking Root with JPF

JPF grantee Root in Salem, MA has a 14-week culinary job training program for individuals between the ages of 16 and 26. Trainees work with a professional chef every day, receive one-on-one job coaching, and complete an externship in a local food business. Root’s mission — to help young adults create a pathway to independence through foodservice training and employment — is helping train the next generation of chefs!

Serving Second Chances at Life’s Kitchen in Boise, ID

For the past 20 years, Life’s Kitchen has provided over 575,000 hours of job training to more than 900 young adults, while providing more than 1,350,000 meals to community members in need. The JPF’s mission of supporting programs that create opportunities through culinary training is realized in part by giving grants to important, impressive, local organizations like Life’s Kitchen.

Strengthening Communities through Culinary Education

In this season of giving and celebration, we are delighted to announce that the final round of JPF 2023 Principal Grant Funds have been awarded. We are honored to partner with these community-based culinary training programs, and excited to see how far their graduates will go!

Our Next Event

JPF 7th Annual Celebration

Our 7th Anniversary Celebration Gala will be here before we know it! Join Jacques for a gathering of celebrated chefs and media personalities, amazing food and drinks, and all the razzle dazzle of New York City! It’s happening on April 4, 2024, at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers (Pier 61).

When
April 4, 2024
Where
The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, New York City
Get Tickets

Past Events