Building Better Kitchens - New York City
2026-08-17 08:00 - 2026-08-18 17:00 (America/New_York) | Project Renewal/City Beet Kitchen, 200 Varick St, New York, NY, 10014, United States
Workshop Title: Building Better Kitchens: Applying Trauma-Informed Practices in Culinary Leadership
Continued Education Hours: 20 hours (16 hours in person, 2 hours virtual)
Why It Matters:
This workshop addresses how stress and trauma affect the way we learn, work, and show up every day – and what we can do about it, for ourselves and others. We will prioritize people-centered leadership strategies and enhance our understanding of ourselves and the people we work with to build better kitchens.
We’ve sourced expert-led sessions by culinary leaders for culinary leaders. Here are the tools you’ll add to your toolkit:
First course — Exploring Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence

What is stress? What is trauma?
ACES and Icebergs

Trauma-informed & healing-centered approaches— Working our strengths-based leadership muscles

Leading with empathy and confidence

Second course — Creating a Supportive Culture

Invisible culture and the hidden rules of the kitchen
Growth zones – when enough is too much
Doing our PART as leaders
Mental mise en place and self-care
Kitchen brain breaks

Third course — Building Strong Relationships

Your brain is in charge
3 R’s and a HUG to help us emotionally regulate and actively listen
The “H” in HUG asks us not to RESSQ when we’re having difficult conversations
Transactional analysis and how our ego plays into social interactions
A lens of generosity — deploying the H of G

Fourth course — Inspiring Growth and Harvesting Resources

Parallel Process – learning about stress and trauma can be stressful and traumatizing!
Generational trauma and breaking traditional norms
Practice makes… myelin!
Increasing access to industry-centered mental health and wellness resources to lead your teams with compassion and empathy
Resources for chef educators to apply this learning to classroom management and curriculum design

Catalyst Kitchens Staff Lead and Co-Facilitator
Dina Altieri, Director of Education and Training at Catalyst Kitchens
Catalyst Kitchens Collaborative Partner and Co-Facilitator
Nadja Mummery, Founder at Learn to Heal Consulting (former staff at Model Member, Manna on Main Street)
About You, the Workshop Participant
Workshop participants are professionals with abundant lived experience. They currently work in foodservice training programs, workforce development, social services, social enterprise FOH and BOH roles, non-profit leadership, and as industry professionals. Participants at all levels of expertise are encouraged to join this learning community, which shares a common goal of promoting professional development in teaching, training, and learning.
Professionals include:

Chefs—Instructors, Managers, Trainers, Industry Chefs
Life Skills and Job Readiness Instructors
Workforce Development Specialists
Training Program and Social Enterprise Support Staff
Leaders from Catalyst Kitchens Employer Partners

Three Main Goals
Catalyst Kitchens commits to meeting these three main goals:

Promote professional growth for the champions who educate and support people working in kitchens.
Provide opportunities for professionals to connect, collaborate, share best practices, and support one another.
Create a lasting Community of Practice built upon unified values that can be shared with colleagues and peers—ultimately benefiting the individuals we serve and the industry we love.

Sign up today!
Notes on pricing:
Members – be sure you have the latest discount code for event registration. It is available on the Catalyst Kitchens website here.
Also for members only:
The 2026 Travel Stipend Request Form is now active! Click here to get started.
These travel stipends are available thanks to the generous support of the Itzkowich Family Foundation, who have given $20,000 in support the Train the Trainer and other events in our 2026 Workshop series.
Non-members – part of your registration fees can be used to count towards future membership dues. Reach out to the Catalyst Kitchens team today to find out more.
We have a hotel partner for this event. If you are attending, please book here to stay nearby for a great price – https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/app.marriott.com/reslink?id=1775681625058&%23×26;key=GRP&%23×26;app=resvlink___.YXAzOmhwbi1nbG9iYWw6YTpvOjVlZjhkNmYwZWI3ZDEyYzE0NzdkMGVlZDkxMDdiMzQ2Ojc6NzJjZTpkOWIxMmIxZjcyYjIwMmM4YzI4YzM1NjI4MWQ2NWQ3MWMyNzUzNWIwN2Y2ZmE1ODc0YjE0ZDY2ODU2Y2M3MGM3Omg6VDpG

Catalyst Kitchens Train the Trainer Workshop - Online (Virtual Cohort)
2026-05-20 08:00 - 2026-07-29 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
Catalyst Kitchens’ signature Train the Trainer Workshop provides a community of practice for members and allies working with individuals with barriers to employment. Send your chefs, cooks, trainers, instructors, case managers, program managers, and employment specialists at all experience levels. This workshop includes a series of professional development sessions spread over two months, and a post-workshop session to help members implement what they have learned. This learner-centered workshop will cover program design, learning and training strategies, assessment tools, feedback and communication, staff alignment to trainee progression, and building employer relationships. Don’t miss this opportunity to hone your skills!

This workshop will be happening as a standalone training opportunity. With every Train the Trainer workshop, we try to highlight and incorporate the excellent practices of our host member. In this case, we will have various members join during virtual sessions to show off some of the best of what is happening in teaching kitchens across the country, including:

Designing Learner-Centered Curriculum
Working with Trainees with Barriers to Employment

Notes on pricing:
Members – be sure you have the latest discount code for event registration. It is available on the Catalyst Kitchens website here.
Non-members – part of your registration fees can be used to count towards future membership dues. Reach out to the Catalyst Kitchens team today to find out more.
Sessions will take place on May 20, June 3 & 17, July 1, 15 and July 29th. Each session will run from 3 – 4:30 PM ET, 12 – 1:30 PM PT.

Building Better Kitchens Workshop - Chicago
2026-05-14 08:00 - 2026-05-15 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
Workshop Title: Building Better Kitchens: Applying Trauma-Informed Practices in Culinary Leadership
Continued Education Hours: 20 hours (16 hours in person, 2 hours virtual)
Why It Matters:
This workshop addresses how stress and trauma affect the way we learn, work, and show up every day – and what we can do about it, for ourselves and others. We will prioritize people-centered leadership strategies and enhance our understanding of ourselves and the people we work with to build better kitchens.
We’ve sourced expert-led sessions by culinary leaders for culinary leaders. Here are the tools you’ll add to your toolkit:
First course — Exploring Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence
What is stress? What is trauma?
ACES and Icebergs
Trauma-informed & healing-centered approaches— Working our strengths-based leadership muscles
Leading with empathy and confidence
Second course — Creating a Supportive Culture
Invisible culture and the hidden rules of the kitchen
Growth zones – when enough is too much
Doing our PART as leaders
Mental mise en place and self-care
Kitchen brain breaks
Third course — Building Strong Relationships
Your brain is in charge
3 R’s and a HUG to help us emotionally regulate and actively listen
The “H” in HUG asks us not to RESSQ when we’re having difficult conversations
Transactional analysis and how our ego plays into social interactions
A lens of generosity — deploying the H of G
Fourth course — Inspiring Growth and Harvesting Resources
Parallel Process – learning about stress and trauma can be stressful and traumatizing!
Generational trauma and breaking traditional norms
Practice makes… myelin!
Increasing access to industry-centered mental health and wellness resources to lead your teams with compassion and empathy
Resources for chef educators to apply this learning to classroom management and curriculum design
Catalyst Kitchens Staff Lead and Co-Facilitator
Dina Altieri, Director of Education and Training at Catalyst Kitchens
Catalyst Kitchens Collaborative Partner and Co-Facilitator
Nadja Mummery, Founder at Learn to Heal Consulting (former staff at Model Member, Manna on Main Street)
About You, the Workshop Participant
Workshop participants are professionals with abundant lived experience. They currently work in foodservice training programs, workforce development, social services, social enterprise FOH and BOH roles, non-profit leadership, and as industry professionals. Participants at all levels of expertise are encouraged to join this learning community, which shares a common goal of promoting professional development in teaching, training, and learning.
Professionals include:
Chefs—Instructors, Managers, Trainers, Industry Chefs
Life Skills and Job Readiness Instructors
Workforce Development Specialists
Training Program and Social Enterprise Support Staff
Leaders from Catalyst Kitchens Employer Partners
Three Main Goals
Catalyst Kitchens commits to meeting these three main goals:
Promote professional growth for the champions who educate and support people working in kitchens.
Provide opportunities for professionals to connect, collaborate, share best practices, and support one another.
Create a lasting Community of Practice built upon unified values that can be shared with colleagues and peers—ultimately benefiting the individuals we serve and the industry we love.
Sign up today!
Notes on pricing:
Members – be sure you have the latest discount code for event registration. It is available on the Catalyst Kitchens website here.
Also for members only:
The 2026 Travel Stipend Request Form is now active! Click here to get started.
These travel stipends are available thanks to the generous support of the Itzkowich Family Foundation, who have given $20,000 in support the Train the Trainer and other events in our 2026 Workshop series.
Non-members – part of your registration fees can be used to count towards future membership dues. Reach out to the Catalyst Kitchens team today to find out more.
We have a hotel partner for this event. If you are attending, please book here to stay nearby for a great price – https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=ORDMDHF&arrivalDate=2026-05-11&departureDate=2026-05-18&groupCode=92O&room1NumAdults=1&cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink

Catalyst Kitchens Train the Trainer Workshop - Baltimore, MD
2025-10-17 08:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Shrine of St. Anthony (part of Franciscan Center Baltimore), 12290 Folly Quarter Rd, Ellicott City, MD, 21042, United States
Catalyst Kitchens’ signature Train the Trainer Workshop provides a community of practice for members and allies working with individuals with barriers to employment. Send your chefs, cooks, trainers, instructors, case managers, program managers, and employment specialists at all experience levels. This workshop includes a pre-session virtual introduction call and an 8-hour live session at a Catalyst Kitchens host site. This learner-centered workshop will cover program design, learning and training strategies, assessment tools, feedback and communication, staff alignment to trainee progression, and building employer relationships. Don’t miss this opportunity to hone your skills!
This workshop will be happening as a standalone training opportunity. With every Train the Trainer workshop, we try to highlight and incorporate the excellent practices of our host member. In this case, we will be hosted by Franciscan Center Baltimore, and in addition to our core topics we will touch upon:

Designing Learner-Centered Curriculum
Working with Trainees with Barriers to Employment

Notes on pricing:
Members – be sure you have the latest discount code for event registration. It is available on the Catalyst Kitchens website here.
Also for members only:
The 2025 Travel Stipend Request Form is now active! Click here to get started.
These travel stipends are available thanks to the generous support of the Itzkowich Family Foundation, who have given $20,000 in support the Train the Trainer 2025 Workshop series.
Non-members – part of your registration fees can be used to count towards future membership dues. Reach out to the Catalyst Kitchens team today to find out more.
Event showing as sold out? Join the waitlist here.

Catalyst Kitchens National Network Celebration
2025-08-14 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | CCAC Culinary School, 807 Ridge Ave, Pittsburgh, 15212, United States
Help support job training and fight poverty all across the country alongside Catalyst Kitchens, the Jacques Pepin Foundation, and Community Kitchen Pittsburgh.
We are seeking sponsors, partners, and supporters to join us in celebrating our network and building a brighter future for all our member programs and the culinary industry.
Catalyst Kitchens invites all of our supporters, partners, and closest friends from the restaurant industry to join us for a celebration of our members and our network in Pittsburgh, PA in conjunction with our National Summit. At this event, you will join us to:

Enjoy 6 course meal featuring special guest chefs from Pittsburgh, from our Member Programs, and a few special guests from across the country.
Hear from member staff, graduates, staff, special guest chefs, and friends at the Jacques Pepin Foundation, as we celebrate being part of the 90/90 series with JPF.
A screening of a 15 minute documentary about Catalyst Kitchens’ work, featuring programs from around the country.

The event is a fundraiser, benefitting both the national network and our co-host member, Community Kitchen Pittsburgh. Members and visitors already attending our National Summit, this event is discounted for you, and you can purchase your ticket through that registration portal here:
Can’t make it on Thursday the 14th? Keep in the know about all our events, including national and guest chef events by subscribing to our newsletter here.
Note: we have reached our sponsorship goals! Thank you to our amazing sponsors, and we look forward to seeing you at our event. The remaining sales for this event will be run through a site operated by our co-host, Community Kitchen Pittsburgh. To sign up for a gala ticket, please click the link below, and we will see you in Pittsburgh!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/food-is-community-a-pepin-9090-celebration-tickets-1373117113249

Catalyst Kitchens National Summit 2025
2025-08-13 08:00 - 2025-08-15 14:30 (America/New_York) | CCAC Culinary School, 807 Ridge Ave, Pittsburgh, 15212, United States
Event description
MEMBER NOTE! Be sure to grab the Members discount code available here, and get the member discount price of $350 (or $250 if you choose not to attend the gala).

Our 2025 National Summit will bring together nonprofits, social enterprises, and hunger relief organizations from across the country for 3 days of amazing content, networking, and collaboration. We will be focusing on three main tracks of content:
Training, Education, and Career Pathways
A space to plan for the future of training in the culinary field, in addition to transferrable skills, social services, and all ways to best serve our students and clients.
Kitchen Innovation
Discussions on the newest and highest performing models of social enterprise and hunger relief operations; planning a future more diverse than ever with new approaches to operations, products, services, and revenues.
Development, Community, and Communications
Featured best practices in community partnership, funder relationships, community organizing, marketing strategies, donor relationships, and so much more.
We will also address ways in which the network is growing, supporting the restaurant industry, advocating for graduates and frontline workers, and much more.
Have an idea you want to submit for a session in one of those tracks at the national summit? Do so on our event page on the Catalyst Kitchens website. Members that help to create a session for the National Summit will receive free registrations. You can do that here.
Travel Stipends:
Our budget for the National Summit includes seeking funds to support every member to travel to this event. If you are worried about price and affordability to make this event accessible for you or your team, please reach out so we can help to prioritize where those funds are spent. Our top priorities for travel stipend funds will be for member session speakers (see above) and organizations with financial need for support.
The 2025 Travel Stipend Request Form is now active! Click here to get started.
Network Gala Celebration
On the night of the 14th, Catalyst Kitchens is holding a celebration of our network and our progress, with our first ever network gala. This event will be a combination and collaboration, including elements of a Catalyst Kitchens Pop-up celebration, a Community Kitchen Pittsburgh Guest Chef Night, and an official Jacques Pepin Foundation 90/90 Dinner Series Event. It will be a six course event meant to celebrate the growth of the network and the collective impact and innovation of its members. The cost to attend the partnership gala will be $100 for attendees of the summit, and we highly encourage you to purchase a ticket along with your registration. Full price gala tickets for $250 each. Read more details about sponsorship opportunities and standalone gala tickets here.
Who You’ll Be Joining
Member organizations and network partners already signed up to attend the summit (updated weekly):
Already signed up for the event and joining us in Pittsburgh will be:

Community Kitchen Pittsburgh
FareStart
Maryland Food Bank
Farm Fresh Rhode Island / Harvest Kitchen
UMOM New Day Centers
Riverview Gardens
Project Feast
ARC Broward
Trenton Area Soup Kitchen
Manna on Main Street
The Jacques Pepin Foundation
Philabundance Community Kitchen
RATIONAL Cooking Systems, Inc
CitySeed
Forge City Works
Open Hand Atlanta
Gather
Root North Shore
The Prospect KC
Sonoma Family Meal
Homeward Bound of Marin County
Food Jobs Work

MEMBER NOTE! Be sure to grab the Members discount code available here, and get the member discount price of $350 (or $250 if you choose not to attend the gala).

MEMBER NOTE! Be sure to grab the Members discount code available here, and get the member discount price of $350 (or $250 if you choose not to attend the gala).

Catalyst Kitchens Train the Trainer Workshop - Rochester, NY
2025-06-27 08:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Foodlink, 2011 Mt. Read Blvd, Rochester, NY, 14615, United States
Catalyst Kitchens’ signature Train the Trainer Workshop provides a community of practice for members and allies working with individuals with barriers to employment. Send your chefs, cooks, trainers, instructors, case managers, program managers, and employment specialists at all experience levels. This workshop includes a pre-session virtual introduction call and an 8-hour live session at a Catalyst Kitchens host site. This learner-centered workshop will cover program design, learning and training strategies, assessment tools, feedback and communication, staff alignment to trainee progression, and building employer relationships. Don’t miss this opportunity to hone your skills!
This workshop will be happening as a standalone training opportunity. With every Train the Trainer workshop, we try to highlight and incorporate the excellent practices of our host member. In this case, we will be hosted by Foodlink and in addition to our core topics we will touch upon:

Elevating Teaching and Learning Practices in Kitchens
Apprentice Programs

Notes on pricing:
Members – be sure you have the latest discount code for event registration. It is available on the Catalyst Kitchens website here.
Also for members only:
The 2025 Travel Stipend Request Form is now active! Click here to get started.
These travel stipends are available thanks to the generous support of the Itzkowich Family Foundation, who have given $20,000 in support the Train the Trainer 2025 Workshop series.
Non-members – part of your registration fees can be used to count towards future membership dues. Reach out to the Catalyst Kitchens team today to find out more.

Catalyst Kitchens Train the Trainer Workshop - New Orleans, LA
2025-04-04 08:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Reconcile New Orleans, 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA, 70113, United States
Catalyst Kitchens’ signature Train the Trainer Workshop provides a community of practice for members and allies working with individuals with barriers to employment. Send your chefs, cooks, trainers, instructors, case managers, program managers, and employment specialists at all experience levels. This workshop includes a pre-session virtual introduction call and an 8-hour live session at a Catalyst Kitchens host site. This learner-centered workshop will cover program design, learning and training strategies, assessment tools, feedback and communication, staff alignment to trainee progression, and building employer relationships. Don’t miss this opportunity to hone your skills!
This workshop will be happening as a standalone training opportunity. With every Train the Trainer workshop, we try to highlight and incorporate the excellent practices of our host member. In this case, we will be hosted by Reconcile New Orleans, and in addition to our core topics we will touch upon:

Designing Learner-Centered Curriculum
Working with Trainees with Barriers to Employment

Notes on pricing:
Members – be sure you have the latest discount code for event registration. It is available on the Catalyst Kitchens website here.
Also for members only:
The 2025 Travel Stipend Request Form is now active! Click here to get started.
Non-members – part of your registration fees can be used to count towards future membership dues. Reach out to the Catalyst Kitchens team today to find out more.

Regional Summits
2023-09-15 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Square Garden
In even numbered years, Catalyst Kitchens hosts a summit in each of our Regions: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and Northwest.
These events are designed to show off innovative programs and create opportunities for professional development, networking, and learning by staff from all levels of our programs and organizations. Members always have free admission to these events and non-members should expect to pay no more than a few hundred dollars, all of which can be counted toward Membership Dues if you join afterwards.
We have not announced our sites and agendas yet for 2024, so stay tuned!

Kitchen Innovation IDEA Group
2023-09-15 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Central Park
IDEA groups are an opportunity to connect with fellow member professionals in similar roles. We hold each IDEA group virtually once a month to share ideas and resources to take back to your organization. Each session puts the spotlight on an innovation or best practice from one of our members or partners.
The Kitchen Innovation IDEA Group seeks to share what helps our operations thrive: labor costs, meal contracts, balancing business demands with training expectations, and more.
Attendance at IDEA Groups is for members and special invitees only. To learn more, email info@catalystkitchens.org

Training IDEA Group
2023-09-15 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Central Square
IDEA groups are an opportunity to connect with fellow member professionals in similar roles. We hold each IDEA group virtually once a month to share ideas and resources to take back to your organization. Each session puts the spotlight on an innovation or best practice from one of our members or partners.
The Training IDEA Group seeks to share what helps students thrive: program design, curriculum, case management, training techniques, and job placement strategies.
Attendance at IDEA Groups is for members and special invitees only. To learn more, email info@catalystkitchens.org

National Summit 2023
2023-08-22 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | NY
Catalyst Kitchens is excited to announce additional details on our National Summit in 2023. The event will be hosted by Model Member, Providence in Winston Salem, NC.
Lear more here

Development IDEA Group
2023-08-07 08:00 - 2023-09-15 17:00 UTC | Square Garden
IDEA groups are an opportunity to connect with fellow member professionals in similar roles. We hold each IDEA group virtually once a month to share ideas and resources to take back to your organization. Each session puts the spotlight on an innovation or best practice from one of our members or partners.
The Development IDEA Group seeks to share what our organizations and communities thrive: marketing, fundraising, grant-writing, events, community engagement, volunteers, and parnterships.
Attendance at IDEA Groups is for members and special invitees only. To learn more, email info@catalystkitchens.org
