Food for Thought: Brainfood Students Get Cookin’

Washington D.C. can finally satisfy your hunger for philanthropy - literally.  Get out your cookbooks and aprons because Brainfood, a DC nonprofit for youth, is in the spotlight of teen culinary education.

Brainfood is a nonprofit youth development organization designed in 1998 to provide cooking activities as an outlet for teens in the nation’s capital.  Food preparation and skills in the kitchen are in place to build life skills and promote creativity in a safe and positive atmosphere.  Students can chose from two participation options by making a commitment to either a four day after-school program or a six week summer session.  In addition to cooking, curriculums incorporate multiple aspects of the food service industry including, culture, science and technology.  Special events are an important part of the Brainfood experience and include guest chefs, interactive lectures from doctors and nutritionists, field trips to local restaurants, shopping trips and neighborhood community service projects.  Though curriculums vary, students in the after school program end their experience by participating in Brainfood’s Chef Challenge and Graduation. The program is open to the public and includes a graduation ceremony designed by the students. Ultimately, the “graduated” students are empowered with experience, confidence, and skills essential to community activism and contribution.

Operating with only three full-time staff, Brainfood is continuously seeking new volunteers and summer interns.  Like any organization, structure and leadership in the workplace can be disrupted at a moment’s notice, but Brainfood’s new blog system and Open Night Kitchens ensure stability within the organization.  “A Bite of Brainfood” is an interactive blog that provides updates and reviews of past and current events in which Brainfood teens are involved.  Students post comments regarding their experiences over the year and reflect on the power of the program as well as the relationships they made within their communities.  Open Night Kitchens are a result of numerous requests from the community to be able to observe and contribute to the Brainfood experience.  Community organizations or companies are welcome and encouraged to schedule times to cook and learn with the students.  Subscriptions to the Brainfood newsletters keep community members up to date on the events of their students and neighbors and also offer opportunities to sponsor events, to donate support, and even to create a Brainfood program within an individual’s own community.

So now that your senses (and stomachs!) are tingling with excitement about this fantastic organization check out the Brainfood website!