It is our great pleasure to announce the three 2026 Jacques Pépin Foundation Memorial Grant awardees! These graduates of JPF Community Kitchen partner programs have been selected to receive $5,000 each to continue their culinary journeys:
Recipient of the 2026 Gloria Pépin Memorial Grant
Alexa Ortiz, graduate of Community Servings in Jamaica Plain, MA
During her time at the Teaching Kitchen program at Community Servings, Alexa consistently showed up with her full self, showing fierce dedication and grace, despite some significant housing challenges. She now works in the pastry department at the Omni Seaport hotel, regularly creating new desserts for special events and created a seasonal whoopie pie offering that has been popular with guests. Alexa has also remained faithful to the Teaching Kitchen program returning as a guest chef and developed the dessert for their celebration of Jacques’ 90th birthday.
This grant will help Alexa continue to take culinary courses at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, and had this to say about her award:
It was an honor to be nominated, and I am grateful to now be a recipient of this grant. I am a reflection of Community Servings, so I can not thank everyone enough for the support that’s brought me up to this point.
Recipient of the André Soltner Memorial Grant
Emily Manzon, graduate of Life’s Kitchen in Boise, ID
For Emily, cooking has never been just about preparing food. It’s always been a way to connect with people, express creativity, and “show care without needing words”. Her dedication, reliability, and work ethic were ever-present as a trainee at Life’s Kitchen where she achieved perfect attendance, commuting from her rural community. She was resilient, using personal challenges as motivation, committing to pursue a future in the culinary industry. Emily independently researched the Scuola di Arte Culiaria Cordon Bleu program, sought mentorship, and was accepted into the program.
This grant will provide financial assistance as Emily continues her culinary education in Italy, and had this to say about her award:
For me, pursuing a culinary education in Italy is about more than learning to cook, it’s about learning to see food through the lens of history, culture, and tradition. I believe the greatest chefs are lifelong students, and I want to immerse myself in an environment where craftsmanship and respect for ingredients are at the heart of every lesson. I am grateful for this opportunity from the Jacques Pépin Foundation, and I am honored their support connects me to an organization that has inspired generations of chefs.
Recipient of the Carl Robert Wesen Memorial Grant
Lysa Grate, graduate of FeedNC in Mooresville, NC
Lysa moved to North Carolina for a fresh start. As a devoted single mother and sole provider for her daughter, she recognized FeedNC would push her out of her comfort zone while offering the culinary training she had been looking for. After graduating from the program, Lysa continued to volunteer at FeedNC’s fast-paced community dining program, where other volunteers already appreciated her blend of a fun-loving personality and an organized, disciplined approach. Lysa also started her own business, Grate Culinary Creations, focused on helping to feed her community.
This grant will help Lysa purchase equipment and marketing materials for her business, and she had this to say about her award:
I would love to say thank you to Jacques Pépin Foundation for selecting me for this award. I’m deeply touched and appreciative. And I would love to say thank you to FeedNC for believing in me. Thank you all for believing in me!
Four additional individuals were also selected to receive runner-up grants of $2,500 each.
Runner-up of the 2026 Gloria Pépin Memorial Grant
Nylah White, graduate of Food Education Fund in New York, NY
Nylah immediately stood out at Food Education Fund for her combination of talent, initiative, and entrepreneurial spirit. She continues to serve as an example of what is possible, successfully operating her own baking business, Nylah Bakez, while pursuing an MBA in finance.
Runner-up of the André Soltner Memorial Grant
Reign Chapman, graduate of Navigate Foundation in Tucker, GA
Reign has proven himself a natural leader at Navigate Foundation, encouraging others to succeed along with him as a volunteer peer mentor in their alumni leadership group. Reign has an eagerness to learn and understands that education can open doors to the future he is working towards.
Runner-ups of the Carl Robert Wesen Memorial Grant
Destiny Moore, graduate of Paul’s Place in Baltimore, MD
When Destiny entered the program at Groundwork Kitchen, her goal was never solely about securing employment. She wanted to use her culinary talents to serve and pour back into her community which she does at Baltimore Outreach Services.
Jeffrey Adams, graduate of 2Unique Community Salvation Foundation in Memphis, TN
Jeffrey exemplified perseverance, professionalism, and leadership at 2Unique. He has always stayed motivated, seeing the future in his passion for food. Jeffrey is creating a farm-to-table business to support local farmers, serve his community, and create opportunity for others.
Congratulations to all the awardees and their respective programs!