FUTURE CHEFS Empowers youth
Future Chefs prepares teens for life and work after high school.
Future Chefs empowers Boston youth to take charge of their future by providing opportunities to lead and to develop the skills needed to grow in their personal and professional life beyond high school. Our conviction is that the life skills and knife skills learned in the kitchen can be applied meaningfully in all avenues of a fulfilling life.
Introducing our new executive director!
Three years ago, Future Chefs began to plan for the succession of Toni Elka, our Founder and Executive Director of almost 17 years. It was a bittersweet process to look for our next leader, as we are deeply proud of the work that we have accomplished under her vision and direction. We are excited to announce that our next Executive Director will be Mark DaCruz.
To view our official announcement, click here.
To help Set the Table for our new Executive Director, click here.
Future Chefs Lunch Pop-up!
Our third annual student-led Pop-Up is August 6, 7, & 8 from 11am to 2pm! Support Future Chefs' young people who have been hard at work, designing a Korean Caribbean street food menu with flavor fusions you won't forget. Don’t miss our Wednesday specials, including Oxtail Dumplings and oh-so-buttery Bread Pudding. Click the buttons to the side to pre-order!
future chefs Announces leadership transition in the fall of 2024
Future Chefs is announcing that its founding Executive Director, Toni Elka, will end her leadership role with the organization in the Fall of 2024. After 17 years at the helm of a groundbreaking program using culinary arts as a creative medium for positive youth development and community engagement, Toni has said she will step down, paving the way for a new leader who will carry forth the values of the organization.
Meet Shanell
In a three-part series, walk with Shanell, a young woman who came to Future Chefs early in high school. Read her story and listen in on an intimate and honest conversation.
READ OUR LATEST ALUM STORY!
Meet Antonio Alves
“I learned a lot about time management. But what’s most impactful is that now I’ve learned to be calm in stressful situations. I’ve grown and I find myself to be more calm and expressive.”
Would you like to be a part of Future Chefs? Apply now.
OUR PROGRAMS
Future Chefs offers three programs that are completed sequentially: A short-term introductory program, a paid after-school work and service program for high school juniors and seniors, and a program for continued engagement and support after high school graduation.
Each program includes comprehensive professional and life skills training, opportunities for youth leadership, coaching from industry experts, and support to pursue a broad range of culinary and other professional careers.
Participants are introduced to basic culinary techniques used in commercial and home settings. Participants explore possible culinary career paths and begin to develop essential skills needed to successfully participate in Future Chefs paid after-school programming.
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A 2 year program for Boston resident High School juniors and seniors that begins after FC Prepares. Includes culinary and essential skill development, social/emotional learning, and planning for work and life after high school. Participants engage in paid work projects while holding a leadership role on a student-led team.
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For students who have graduated from high school and completed the FC Delivers program. Participants receive individual ongoing support for two years after high school as they put their plan for work and life into action.
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Black Lives Matter
We stand in solidarity with the Black community. As an organization, we have always been committed to fight against racial inequality, but we know we can do better. We are committed to work toward our goal of eliminating the socioeconomic inequalities faced by communities of color.
