Chef Mi & Kids

🍕🎓 That’s a wrap on another amazing semester of Chef Mi & Kids!

This week we celebrated our Mini Chefs with a pizza party graduation, sending them off for the summer the right way. ❤️

Watching these kids grow in confidence, creativity, and independence over the past several weeks has been such a joy. I am so proud of each and every one of them and can’t wait to see how they continue to learn and grow over the summer.

Please keep me updated! I want to hear about your adventures, accomplishments, new recipes, and all the fun memories you make. Keep trying new things, keep learning, and most importantly, keep being YOU.

Thank you to all of the parents and families who continue to trust me with your little chefs. Your support means everything.

Enjoy your summer, Mini Chefs! ☀️🍉🍔🌽

See you in the fall! 👩🏽‍🍳🧑🏽‍🍳❤️

BIG NEWS!!! 🎉👩🏽‍🍳👨🏽‍🍳

Chef Mi & Kids placed THIRD PLACE in the M&T Bank Small Business Accelerator Pitch Contest!!! 🏆

What an incredible journey this has been. From being accepted… to becoming finalists… to stepping on that stage and competing — this moment means everything.

Not only did we walk away with funding to confidently move forward with our Fall classes without worry, but we also built meaningful connections that will help us continue to grow and expand Chef Mi & Kids in ways we’ve been dreaming of.

This win is for our mini chefs, our families, and every single person who has supported us along the way. 💚

We are beyond grateful… and we’re just getting started.

🌟 Mini Chef Spotlight: Zariah 🌟

Today, I want to shine a light on one of our amazing older mini chefs, Zariah!

For the past four years, Zariah has been a part of the Chef Mi & Kids family, and watching her grow has been such a privilege. Between dance practices, tutoring sessions, and everything else on her busy schedule, she still shows up to the kitchen focused, determined, and ready to learn.

What makes Zariah truly special is the way she leads by example. As one of our older chefs, she has naturally stepped into a mentor role, helping our younger students feel welcomed, encouraged, and supported. Whether she’s demonstrating a technique, answering questions, or simply offering a helping hand, she embodies the kindness and leadership we hope to inspire in all of our students.

Zariah, thank you for your dedication, your positive attitude, and for being such an incredible role model. We are so proud of the young lady you are becoming and can’t wait to see all the amazing things your future holds! ❤️👩🏽‍🍳

🦋 Young Chef Spotlight: Aaliyah 🦋

Today, I want to shine a light on one of our amazing mini chefs, Aaliyah!

For the past four years, Aaliyah has been part of the Chef Mi & Kids family, and watching her grow has truly been a blessing. When she first joined us, she was a quiet, shy introvert who often stayed in the background. But with each class, each recipe, and each year, she became a little more confident.

Today, that quiet little chef has blossomed into a beautiful butterfly.

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been watching Aaliyah step into a mentor role for our younger chefs. She leads with kindness, patience, and a gentle spirit that makes others feel comfortable and supported. She is proof that leadership doesn’t always have to be loud—it can be found in consistency, compassion, and setting a positive example.

Aaliyah, I am so proud of the young lady you are becoming. Thank you for growing with us, believing in yourself, and showing our younger chefs what confidence looks like. It has been an honor to watch your transformation over the last four years.

Keep spreading your wings—we can’t wait to see where they take you. 💜👩🏽‍🍳

BIG UPDATE!!! 🎉👩🏽‍🍳👨🏽‍🍳

Chef Mi & Kids has officially been selected as a FINALIST to pitch in the M&T Bank Small Business Accelerator Program!!!

Out of so many amazing businesses, we are beyond honored to be chosen to take the stage and share our story, our mission, and the impact our mini chefs are making every single day.

Next week… we pitch for the WIN. 💥

This moment is bigger than us — it’s for every child who has stepped into our kitchen, every family that has trusted us, and every supporter who has believed in what we’re building.

We’re ready. We’re excited. And we’re bringing Chef Mi & Kids to the next level.

Let’s go!!! 🚀

Last night our mini chefs took on Beef & Broccoli and absolutely crushed it! 🥦🥩👩🏽‍🍳👨🏽‍🍳

As we wrapped up class, I couldn’t help but realize how bittersweet this time of year always feels. It seems like just yesterday we were welcoming everyone into the kitchen, and now we’re preparing to say goodbye to another amazing group of young chefs.

Over the past six weeks, I’ve watched these kids grow in confidence, try new foods, learn new skills, help one another, and create memories that go far beyond cooking. Every semester reminds me why Chef Mi & Kids exists in the first place.

While I’m sad to see this session come to summer break, I’m so excited to celebrate everything our chefs have accomplished.

🎉 NEXT WEEK IS OUR GRADUATION PIZZA PARTY! 🎉

We’ll be celebrating all of our chefs, their hard work, and another successful semester together. I truly couldn’t be more proud of these kids and the growth they continue to show week after week.

Schools out and summer begins, one more celebration, and a whole lot of pizza! 🍕❤️

🌟 Mini Chef Spotlight: AV 🌟

Today we’re celebrating one of our amazing mini chefs, AV!

When AV first joined Chef Mi & Kids, she was a shy young girl who mostly kept to herself. As an online learner through CCAC, she was excited to connect with other kids her age, and little by little, she began finding her place in our kitchen family.

Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of watching her grow into an incredible pr***en filled with confidence, charisma, and personality. The quiet girl we first met has blossomed into someone who isn’t afraid to laugh, engage with others, and let her unique personality shine.

One of my favorite things about AV is seeing how comfortable she has become in her own skin. She has grown not only as a chef, but as a young lady, and it’s been amazing to witness her transformation firsthand.

At Chef Mi & Kids, we always hope to create a space where children feel safe enough to be themselves, and AV is a beautiful example of what can happen when kids are given that opportunity. Her growth, confidence, and bright spirit are a reminder of why this program means so much.

AV, thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. We are so proud of the young lady you are becoming and can’t wait to see all the incredible things your future holds. Keep shining, because your light is impossible to miss. 💜👩🏽‍🍳✨