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Chef Trainee Spotlight: Jesus!

Jesus joined @ucberkeleydining last fall with a longtime passion for cooking and a determination to turn that passion into a future career.

He arrived with years of personal experience - preparing food for family reunions, cooking daily for his younger siblings, and recently diving into baking - but the pace of UC Berkeley’s kitchen pushed him further. Over time, his multitasking, time management, and attention to detail grew significantly, and he progressed from shadowing to confidently managing his own workspace.

Jesus left Sprouts Chef Training more confident, connected, and genuinely excited for what comes next in his culinary career.

It takes a village.

Chef Trainee | Jesus A.
Chef Mentor | Chef Conrad

#cheftraining #ucberkeley #futurechef #nonprofit #sfbayarea

The @sproutscheftraining Taste of Italy Gala hosted at our venue with our very own Executive Vice President, Lillian Phan @lilphancy co-chairing alongside Michael Bauer @michaelbauer1 and Meg Weiss @megsause , raised over $562,000. We’re proud to sponsor and grateful to Executive Chef Sebastian @sbculinary , who has mentored more than seven trainees over the years and brought one onto our team. Cheers to investing in our industry’s future!

Thank you to the chefs who donated their time and food:
michele belotti of @belottirb
benjamin balesteri of @poggiotrattoria
ryan pollnow + rachel orner of @flourandwatersf
david nayfeld of @chefico
tali missirlian of @corzettisf
yosuke machida of @a16sf
charlie guyard of @a16sf
daniel evers of @itriasf

venue | @theconservatorysf @holbrookhousesf
design | @simonelennonevents
rentals | @foundrentalco
tabletop rentals | @hensleyeventresources
tabletop | @libbeypro
audio visual | @jl_imagination
florals | @rare_sparrow
linens | @theonicollection
spirits | @hotalingandco
wine | @a16sf
auctioneer | @liammayclem
📸 | @drewaltizerphotography
🎥 | @epicdronetours

Huge appreciation to @wearstand for stepping into our spring cohort with real impact.

Their generous donation of kitchen-safe footwear has been a huge hit with our youth and ensures every chef trainee can move through the kitchen with ease and safety.

Lasting impact starts with solid footing - and they’ve made sure of it!

It takes a village.

Photographer | @kathrynmacdonaldphoto

Chef Trainee | Ajanay
Chef Mentors | Chef Bella, @lauraozyilmaz, & @sayatozyilmaz

#futurechefs #culinarytraining #youthempowerment #wearstand #footwear

Introducing Chef Melissa Perello (@m_perello) as the next culinary force joining our Annual Gala - featuring powerful women in food!

The visionary behind Michelin-recognized @sf_frances and the acclaimed @sf_octavia, Chef Melissa Perello has spent years shaping San Francisco’s dining landscape with restaurants celebrated not only for their extraordinary cuisine, but also for the warmth and care woven into every experience.

Beyond this, Chef Melissa represents the kind of force that quietly transforms an industry - leading through excellence,
intention, and an unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of chefs through Sprouts Chef Training!

We’re incredibly honored to welcome Chef Melissa to our November 1st Gala. More details to come soon.

Presented with support from:
@opentable
@teakhaus
@strausmilk
@guittardchocolate
@jpmorganchase
@usbank

#melissaperello #octaviasf #francessf #michelinstar #gala

Spring cohort highlight: chef trainee Alex has officially been offered a job by his chef mentor; @guythebutcher!

These are the full-circle moments we work toward every day - where learning in the kitchen evolves into real-world opportunity, and dedication is met with recognition and trust.

Huge thank you to Chef Guy Crims for seeing the potential, sharing the craft, and investing in Alex’s growth.

It takes a village.

Photographer | @kathrynmacdonaldphoto

#thebutchershop #cheftraining #culinaryopportunity #impactinaction #sfbayarea

Spring cohort highlight: chef trainee Alex has officially been offered a job by his chef mentor; @guythebutcher!

These are the full-circle moments we work toward every day - where learning in the kitchen evolves into real-world opportunity, and dedication is met with recognition and trust.

Huge thank you to Chef Guy Crims for seeing the potential, sharing the craft, and investing in Alex’s growth.

It takes a village.

Photographer | @kathrynmacdonaldphoto

#thebutchershop #cheftraining #culinaryopportunity #impactinaction #sfbayarea

Spring cohort highlight: chef trainee Alex has officially been offered a job by his chef mentor; @guythebutcher!

These are the full-circle moments we work toward every day - where learning in the kitchen evolves into real-world opportunity, and dedication is met with recognition and trust.

Huge thank you to Chef Guy Crims for seeing the potential, sharing the craft, and investing in Alex’s growth.

It takes a village.

Photographer | @kathrynmacdonaldphoto

#thebutchershop #cheftraining #culinaryopportunity #impactinaction #sfbayarea

Behind every opportunity is a village.

Sprouts chef trainees are supported every step of the way through mentorship, guidance, encouragement, coordination, and a network that shows up day after day to ensure they have the tools and support to thrive.

The youth bring the hustle - we’re there to help open the door!

Photographer | @timsather.arw
Our program coordinator, Ava, alongside chef trainees: Jenai and Xadani

#futurechefs #cheftraining #mentorship #workforcedevelopment #sfbayarea

Cocktails that help launch culinary careers?

At Michelin Guide–recognized @dalidasf, the Layla + Majnun zero-proof cocktails support Sprouts Chef Training and our mission to create pathways into the culinary industry for under-resourced youth - going beyond a tale said to have inspired Romeo and Juliet.

Order the Layla or Majnun and leave an impact long after the last sip!

It takes a village.

#dalidasf #sfbayarea #sproutscheftraining #givingback

Cocktails that help launch culinary careers?

At Michelin Guide–recognized @dalidasf, the Layla + Majnun zero-proof cocktails support Sprouts Chef Training and our mission to create pathways into the culinary industry for under-resourced youth - going beyond a tale said to have inspired Romeo and Juliet.

Order the Layla or Majnun and leave an impact long after the last sip!

It takes a village.

#dalidasf #sfbayarea #sproutscheftraining #givingback

@guittardchocolate’s making future’s a little sweeter - again! But the real impact runs deeper.

It’s the growth of our youth behind the scenes - the culinary skills learned, confidence built, first paycheck earned, and
the moment a chef trainee realizes they belong in the culinary industry. That’s the kind of sweetness that lasts.

We’re so grateful for Guittard Chocolate and their continued commitment to pouring into the dreams of aspiring youth through Sprouts Chef Training.

It takes a village.

Photographer | @kimthompsonsteel
Sprouts Board Member & Chef Mentor | @dominiquecrenn

#guittardchocolate #handsonlearning #futurechefs #sfbayarea

@guittardchocolate’s making future’s a little sweeter - again! But the real impact runs deeper.

It’s the growth of our youth behind the scenes - the culinary skills learned, confidence built, first paycheck earned, and
the moment a chef trainee realizes they belong in the culinary industry. That’s the kind of sweetness that lasts.

We’re so grateful for Guittard Chocolate and their continued commitment to pouring into the dreams of aspiring youth through Sprouts Chef Training.

It takes a village.

Photographer | @kimthompsonsteel
Sprouts Board Member & Chef Mentor | @dominiquecrenn

#guittardchocolate #handsonlearning #futurechefs #sfbayarea

Introducing Chef @lauraozyilmaz to kick off our Powerful Females Gala culinary lineup!

Chef Laura has not only taken the Bay Area culinary scene by storm with the opening of her and @sayatozyilmaz’s second restaurant, @mariaisabelsf_ - but has spent years generously giving back while building.

Through Sprouts Chef Training, Chef Laura’s mentorship - rooted in patience, trust, and unwavering support - has helped underserved youth across the Bay believe in what they can become.

We’re excited to share more about our November 1st Gala - a night dedicated to power, presence, and paving the way for the next generation. Stay tuned.

Presented with support from:
@opentable
@teakhaus
@strausmilk
@guittardchocolate
@jpmorganchase
@usbank

#lauraozyilmaz #dalidasf #mariaisabelsf #gala #sproutscheftraining

Introducing Chef @lauraozyilmaz to kick off our Powerful Females Gala culinary lineup!

Chef Laura has not only taken the Bay Area culinary scene by storm with the opening of her and @sayatozyilmaz’s second restaurant, @mariaisabelsf_ - but has spent years generously giving back while building.

Through Sprouts Chef Training, Chef Laura’s mentorship - rooted in patience, trust, and unwavering support - has helped underserved youth across the Bay believe in what they can become.

We’re excited to share more about our November 1st Gala - a night dedicated to power, presence, and paving the way for the next generation. Stay tuned.

Presented with support from:
@opentable
@teakhaus
@strausmilk
@guittardchocolate
@jpmorganchase
@usbank

#lauraozyilmaz #dalidasf #mariaisabelsf #gala #sproutscheftraining

Since 2012, every journey has started side by side.

Through a full wraparound program, we support youth beyond the kitchen - equipping them with real-world access to thrive in culinary careers, alongside tools and resources like financial education courses through @jpmorganchase.

From connection comes opportunity - first jobs, first paychecks, and a pathway to education, developing their craft, or pursuing entirely new possibilities.

Featured chef trainee, Marie (hosted by @shaws_sf) alongside our founder, Kate Mery de Bellegarde
Photographer | @kimthompsonsteel

#socialimpact #youthempowerment #culinaryarts #culinarycareers

In partnership with Foxtail Events and Skylight, our gala this year is bringing together the Bay Area’s boldest female chefs for a night in support of youth rising from hardship into futures in the culinary world.

Joined by honorary guests @alicelouisewaters of @chezpanisse, @debbysoo of @opentable, and more inspiring voices.

Featured Talent:
@lauraozyilmaz
@foreigncinemagp
@chezpim
@azalinaeusope
@m_perello
Chef Carrie Blease
@dsyounkin
@oakes_nancy
Chef Belinda Leong
@shelleylindgren
@dzwine

More details coming soon.

All made possible by our partners:
@opentable
@teakhaus
@teakhaus
@strausmilk
@guittardchocolate
@jpmorganchase

It takes a village.

Photographer | @kimthompsonsteel

#gala #sfevents #galaforgood #womeninfood #culinaryleadership

Moments that matter most in our mentors’ kitchens usually aren’t the planned ones - they’re the quick laughs, the nods of encouragement, and shared focus in the work.

This past year @lemonad_media had a knack for catching exactly those.

Their work goes beyond documenting our youths’ progress - it reflects the relationships, confidence, and joy that make growth sustainable, and we can’t thank them enough for capturing the spirit of Sprouts so meaningfully.

It takes a village.

Photographer | @lemonad_media

#sfphotographer #culinarystorytelling #mentorshipmatters #futurechefs

Moments that matter most in our mentors’ kitchens usually aren’t the planned ones - they’re the quick laughs, the nods of encouragement, and shared focus in the work.

This past year @lemonad_media had a knack for catching exactly those.

Their work goes beyond documenting our youths’ progress - it reflects the relationships, confidence, and joy that make growth sustainable, and we can’t thank them enough for capturing the spirit of Sprouts so meaningfully.

It takes a village.

Photographer | @lemonad_media

#sfphotographer #culinarystorytelling #mentorshipmatters #futurechefs