Organization: Kitchens for Good
Title: Lead Steward
Nominated by: Jennifer Gilmore, CEO
Manny Vazquez has been a dishwasher and Lead Steward with Kitchens for Good for ten years. This is a career decision he makes by choice, period. He believes in the power of his work in this role, inspiring students and doing good through his work and attention to detail.
When considering his impact, Kitchens for Good starts with this quote from Anthony Bourdain:
Everything important I learned; I learned as a dishwasher.
Kitchens for Good proudly nominates Lead Steward Manny Vasquez for the David Carleton Catalyst for Change Award. Since Kitchens for Good’s inception ten years ago, Manny has been a steadfast mentor and role model to more than 900 aspiring cooks, bakers, and food servers striving to transform their lives. In addition, Manny is instrumental in executing any new initiatives, whether ramping up meal production for flood victims, rolling out Restaurant Week, or taking over the meal contracts for the Department of Probation’s youth services. More importantly, Manny embodies the collective values of the Catalyst Kitchens network by demonstrating daily that all workers in the kitchen are equal. In every kitchen, it is generally true that without a good dishwasher, the kitchen cannot work. At Kitchens for Good, it is because of their exemplary dishwasher, that they do the work they do so well.
Manny’s journey with Kitchens for Good started when he was onboarded as Kitchens for Good’s second employee. Having walked in the shoes of many of those served by Kitchens for Good, he knew the importance of employment opportunities and fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and joy. Manny also knew the value dishwashers bring to kitchens.
Dishwashing is one of the most common entry points into the culinary field, and as many as 80 to 90% of chefs begin their careers in the dish pit. Manny believes that demonstrating competency and a strong work ethic in the dish pit can open doors to advancement, and – despite being approached with other opportunities – Manny has remained committed to preparing Kitchen for Good’s apprentices to embrace the dish pit and those in it. For more than ten years, Manny’s daily guidance has become one of the most essential life lessons Kitchen for Good’s apprentices take into the workforce and beyond:
– Everyone deserves respect.
– All jobs are honorable.
– Keep your water clean.
– Your character is reflected in how well you scrape and stack.
– Mise en place [the kitchen term for and philosophy of working clean] applies to everything.
– A clean plate is the canvas for a beautiful meal.
– Don’t hide knives.
Kitchens for Good is honored to nominate Manny Vasquez for this prestigious award. We believe he embodies all that is good in the Catalyst Kitchen network and truly captures the spirit of David Carleton.
When considering Manny’s impact, Kitchens for Good once again stresses that the dishwasher touches every piece of our work. Manny has, does, and will continue to infuse 100% of Kitchens for Good’s apprentices with joy. 100% of Kitchens for Good’s apprentices are better prepared for the workforce because of Manny, and 100% of meals created by Kitchens for Good are produced thanks to a clean and organized workplace.
Manny has not had the chance to participate in many Catalyst Kitchens events or trainings, but Catalyst Kitchens wants to thank him for the pivotal role he surely played in hosting our cohort of nine youth-serving apprenticeship programs. That cohort visited Kitchens for Good for a 2-day learning site visit in September of 2024, and were blown away by the excellent food, program, and culture of joy that is cultivated there in San Diego.
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.
