Organization: FareStart
Title: Sous Chef
Nominated by: Patrick D’Amelio, CEO
Laura has been with the organization for over eight years. In May 2016, she was hired as a Youth Culinary Chef Instructor and quickly ascended to Chef Instructor. In 2021, she assumed the role of Sous Chef, where she continues to thrive. Laura’s story is one of incredible transformation and resilience. A 2015 FareStart graduate, she entered the program after a difficult period of grief, which included the loss of her husband to leukemia and struggles with poor decisions that led to incarceration. During her time in work release, Laura discovered the power of food to heal and found purpose in the kitchen. FareStart provided the support and mentorship she needed to rebuild her life and career, eventually leading her to become a sous chef at FareStart’s restaurant.
What sets Laura apart is her dedication to giving back. After graduating, she committed to returning to FareStart to make an impact on others, just as the program had done for her. She worked her way up from a pantry station to a sous chef role, always striving to help others find their purpose through food. Despite challenges like the pandemic, Laura’s belief in FareStart’s mission kept her grounded. Today, she inspires others by mentoring new students and guiding them toward their own transformations, proving that anyone can rewrite their story with support, resilience, and hard work.
A typical day at FareStart for Laura revolves around training and mentoring students as they work toward their culinary goals. As a sous chef, Laura begins early, attending to kitchen operation responsibilities and ensuring the team is prepared for a busy shift. Her primary focus is guiding students through hands-on training, teaching them essential skills—from knife work to plating techniques—and encouraging them to embrace the discipline and creativity of being a chef.
Laura fosters a learning environment throughout the day, offering constructive feedback and support to help students build confidence and skills. She stresses the importance of teamwork and communication, ensuring students understand how each role contributes to the kitchen’s success. Whether students are working on meal prep, assisting with the line, or learning about kitchen management, Laura provides guidance, shares her expertise, and inspires them to push their limits.
Her approach emphasizes the value of resilience, patience, and self-belief, fundamental principles she learned through her own journey. By the end of the day, students leave with practical culinary skills and a renewed sense of purpose and accomplishment. Laura’s dedication to their growth makes FareStart a transformative place for chefs and students.
2024 marked a year of renewal at FareStart, and Laura played a pivotal role in this transformation. As a critical team member in reopening our restaurant post-COVID, she was integral to its success and to advancing FareStart’s mission. Laura supported the relaunch of our Guest Chef Night program, serving over 1,800 community members while providing invaluable training opportunities for students to work alongside some of Seattle’s top chefs. She also helped launch a box lunch program, producing more than 4,000 lunches, which became an essential training ground for students. In addition, Laura supported the in-house special events team, training students and helping host over 1,000 guests this year. Through every initiative, Laura’s focus has remained steadfast on student development, empowering them with the skills, confidence, and real-world experience they need to succeed in the culinary industry.
Laura has actively engaged with the Catalyst Kitchens network to contribute and learn from her peers. She has facilitated roundtable conversations at in-person convenings in Seattle, sharing her insights and experiences with fellow chefs. Additionally, Laura has participated in online training opportunities, continually expanding her culinary and leadership skills. She has developed valuable peer relationships with other chefs through the network, exchanging ideas, best practices, and support. These connections have enriched her professional growth and allowed her to give back by sharing her knowledge and experiences, further strengthening the Catalyst Kitchens 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.
