Local young chefs announced as grantees in organization’s annual program, allowing for the expansion of further culinary training and skills
(New York, NY; February 27, 2019) – The Ment’or BKB Foundation has announced the recipients of their 2018-2019 grant program: Miguel Baez (San Diego, CA), Ken Chan (Los Angeles, CA), Jeremy David (Honolulu, HI), Alexander Fuentes (Healdsburg, CA), Brady Harian (Charleston, SC), Robert Hartman (Rancho Cordova, CA), Winnie Huang (Brooklyn, NY), Grace Kim (Yountville, CA), Ki Ran Kim (New York, NY), TJ Lewis (Washington, DC), Alexandra Motz (Minneapolis, MN), Casey Palermino (Township, MI), Guido Parodi (Austin, TX), Stuart Sandquist (Wayzata, MN), Joatta Siebert (Robbinsdale, MN), Kelsey Takara (Pearl City, HI), John Taube (Astoria, NY), Kevin Torres (Brighton, MA), Briana Witt (New Orleans, LA), David Yoshimura (San Francisco, CA), and Anthony Young (Forest Hills, NY).
Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, the Ment’or Grant Program is designed to provide young, aspiring chefs who may not have the resources with unique opportunities to expand their training and skills. Through this initiative, established mentors from around the country and the world’s top restaurants open their doors and provide invaluable access and training for young chefs.
Available to all young cooks in the U.S., the program awards one to two month grants both stateside and abroad, covering housing, transportation, salary and basic living expenses. Through this incredible initiative, grantees are able to learn new techniques, work with different products, as well as understand different styles of kitchen cultures and approaches to food and hospitality.
Former grant recipient, Henry Molina, who staged at Noma in Denmark, shared, “I received an education that has forever changed not just how I relate to food, but how I relate to the world as both a chef and a person.”
Ment’or Executive Director, Young Yun describes the program, sharing, “This important initiative fosters and encourages the growth of young cooks in America, and is the core of our mission here at Ment’or. With the grant program, we strive to set up the next generation of chefs for success, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only grow in their profession, but continue to feel inspired and encouraged to be their absolute best.”
Additional details about the Ment’or BKB Foundation can be found on the Ment’or website and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About the Ment’or BKB Foundation
The Ment’or BKB Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire excellence in young culinary professionals and preserve the traditions and quality of classic cuisine in America. Ment’or is led by a Board of Directors including Chefs Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller and Jérôme Bocuse, as well as an esteemed Culinary Council of over 40 renowned chefs nationwide who act as mentors for young chefs, serve in an advisory capacity to the organization and participate in fundraising events. Educational grants are offered to young professionals through the Ment’or Grant Program for Continuing Education which has awarded more than $1.2 Million since 2014. Our Young Chef and Commis Competitions for young cooks provide further opportunity to advance their careers in the culinary world. Ment’or is also responsible for recruiting, training and financially supporting the promising young American chefs who compete on behalf of the United States in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or competition, held in Lyon France, every two years. For the first time in history, Team USA 2017 won the coveted Gold Medal at the Bocuse d’Or.
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