Future Chefs

Flatbreads, bold flavors, and a lot of great questions!

During April school vacation, Tatte Chefs Can, Robert, and Daniel visited Future Chefs, and the young people were all in. They experimented, took risks with new ingredients, and really leaned into the process of making flatbreads.

But what stood out most? The conversation! The chefs answered questions about flavor, product development, and the real paths they took to get where they are. Honest, thoughtful, and exactly the kind of insight that sticks.

This is what it looks like when community shows up for young people!

No school? No problem.

On Tuesday of Vacation Week, our teens swapped their backpacks for aprons, turned up the tunes, and showed up ready to BRUNCH. On today's menu:

Spinach Quiche & Bacon Quiche
Fluffy Japanese Pancakes
Baked French Toast
Berry Compote
Cranberry Orange Muffins
Fresh Fruit Smoothies.

Good music, great food. The vibes are just a little different when brunch hits at 11:30.

Small Plates 2026 delivered!

To a packed room, our students showed off months of hard work, incredible dishes, and the stories that made each one meaningful. Guests filled the kitchen with curiosity, joy, and that energy that makes Small Plates unlike anything else.

We celebrated our first Small Plates Honoree, Elle Simone Scott (in memoriam), a moment that reminded us why this work matters.

A massive thank you to Snapped Boston for capturing the magic!

A heartfelt thank you to Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center for sponsoring Small Plates! As our Leadership Sponsor, their generosity powers something bigger than a meal - it gives Boston teens access to high-quality instruction, meaningful mentorship, and the kind of real-world experiences that open doors.

Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center is committed to equitable, exemplary and timely care to the communities they serve. We're proud to partner with them to provide unique leadership opportunities for youth.

Small Plates is now sold out, but you can still get in on the action. Enter in our raffle for your chance to win a delicious treat, something for your kitchen, or a fun experience.

https://go.rallyup.com/raffle2026

Future Chefs is proud to partner with the TJX Foundation as our Presenting Sponsor for Small Plates. We’re grateful for their investment in this invaluable part of our curriculum. With their support, our young people are given the tools, confidence, and ingredients to serve up a delicious event!

The TJX Foundation helps vulnerable families and children access the resources and opportunities they need to build a better future. Together, we’re providing hands-on learning for Boston youth at Small Plates – thank you!

https://go.rallyup.com/smallplates2026

Small Plates Session 1 is sold out, but there’s still time to grab your Session 2 spot (7:00 - 8:30). Click now to experience the delicious dishes, enjoy great conversation, and meet the student behind each plate. That’s what makes Small Plates special.

Tickets close this Thursday, March 19, so click now to buy tickets at https://go.rallyup.com/smallplates2026

This event is not possible without our Small Plates Supporting Sponsors. A special thank you to Flour Bakery+Cafe, Seneca and Chris Francione, Jo and Rahul Swani, and Preeti and Sanjay Swani.

Can’t make it to Small Plates, but still want to get in on the action? Enter our raffle!

You can win a delicious experience, something to brighten your day, or a treasure for the dedicated foodie – all while supporting Boston youth to gain the tools they need to succeed.

Prizes include:

A $150 gift card to Tonino in JP
New England Aquarium passes with a State Street Provisions gift card
Cases of wine from 90+ Cellars
A kids baking party at Future Chefs
And more!

You can enter the raffle from home, and you don’t need to attend Small Plates to win. Enter by March 26 for your chance at one of these dazzling prizes!

https://go.rallyup.com/raffle2026

Small Plates isn’t just about the food - it’s about seeing young people step into their confidence.

Meet Melia. This year she’s serving Diri djon djon, a traditional Haitian rice dish inspired by the flavors of home. Her early tests didn’t taste quite right. So she refined it, adjusting her rice, perfecting her mushroom broth, and even making it vegan so everyone could enjoy it.

Come to Small Plates and taste Melia’s success. And cheer her on as she stretches herself to tell you about her process, her dish, and her growth. That’s what happens at Future Chefs: skills in the kitchen, and courage behind the mic.

Get your tickets today and cheer her on!
https://go.rallyup.com/smallplates2026

These dishes may look good, but they're not for eating!

In preparation for Small Plates, our students are learning how to make a dish that tastes delicious, and looks great too. Last week, our FC Delivers students had a fun challenge: tap into their visual creativity, and turn a raw potato and some ketchup into a beautifully plated dish. And they delivered! (no pun intended!)

Want to see our teens' skills for yourself? Buy your tickets for Small Plates now! https://go.rallyup.com/smallplates2026

Thank you to the ALKU Foundation for their generous support of Future Chefs through the Catalyst Fund.

This grant pays young people for their time, a critical part of our program. Because of this support, teens who need to work can choose an afterschool job at Future Chefs, gain a supportive and nurturing community, and invest in their futures at the same time.

Thank you, ALKU Foundation for believing in our young people and making opportunity accessible!