Organization: Trenton Area Soup Kitchens, Emilio’s Culinary Academy
Title: Director, Culinary Operations
Nominated by: Paul Jensen, Chief Operating Officer
Chef Adam has been with TASK for 5 years, initially as Kitchen Coordinator and as a result of his impressively extensive efforts during and following the Covid-19 pandemic; Adam earned the promotion to Director of Culinary Operations in 2023. A “typical” day for Chef Adam Livow looks like doing a lot with a little! As the Director of Culinary Operations, Chef Adam manages a team of 4 cooks and 3 prep cooks . In FY24, he and his team prepared and served 535,103 meals and as of October FY25 they’re just under 200K meals. Procuring, planning, prepping, preparing and plating; this production is massive, but, Adam has developed the well oiled operation that is critical for TASK’s main hub, food truck, 40 community meal sites, and special events.
Additionally, Chef Adam is the instructor of Emilio’s Culinary Academy- a 10 week training program that includes kitchen skills and preparation for the ServSafe certification. Emilio’s Culinary Academy will be graduating its 11th cohort this December.
Chef Adam is always exceeding expectations and finding new and innovative ways to produce more meals out of our facility. He has also been an integral part of the growth of TASK while maintaining healthy, nutritious meals for our patrons. Adam comes to work every day with a can-do attitude and is willing to take on any challenge that is thrown in front of him.
In addition to his exceptional work ethic, Adam has led the growth of Emilio’s Culinary Academy from its infant stages into its adolescent years. Under his leadership, the program has flourished into one of TASK’s signature initiatives, providing our patrons and students with the skills and opportunities necessary for economic liberation. His vision and commitment have not only expanded the Academy’s reach but also strengthened its role as a transformative pathway to empowerment and self-sufficiency for those we serve. Adam’s dedication to innovation, mentorship, and excellence exemplifies the values of TASK, ensuring our mission continues to thrive and positively impact the community.
Chef Adam played an integral role in developing and launching Emilio’s Culinary Program, rolling out TASK’s first food truck, and managing the tremendous growth of their meal service program. TASK’s meal program has more then doubled since Adam started in August of 2019. In 2019, they served an average of 5,000 meals per week and are currently preparing and serving over 11,000 meals per week. They have also expanded their community meals program from 16 locations in 2019 to over 40 locations in 2024.
Adam has been an active participant since TASK joined the Catalyst Kitchen network. He completed a Train the Trainer workshop, aimed at helping chefs become stronger teachers and instructors, co-facilitated a workshop during the 2023 National Summit in Winston Salem, NC on the expansive work TASK has done to feed their community, and has participated as a presenter in our Kitchen Innovation Community of Practice. Catalyst Kitchens is proud to have him as a leader and contributor to our community.
SPECIAL ALERT!
Thanks to a generous donation from a founding Catalyst Kitchens board member and friend of David Carleton, the Catalyst Kitchen’s Founder’s Fund has an opportunity to raise matching funds up to $5,000 during this year’s Catalyst for Change Award Season!
This is a time-limited opportunity to get your gift matched! Donate now by clicking the button below, before the window closes to double your generosity and impact!
Here are the 2024 Catalyst for Change. As you read their stories, consider supporting the work of Catalyst Kitchens and our members, enabling the amazing impact of frontline staff like our nominees.
