Chef Empowerment Programs
Food System Leadership Program
Taking students beyond the kitchen and into the full story of food — from soil to shelf to table. Participants explore sustainable agriculture, food justice, and the systems that shape what communities eat.
Apply to Join
Where Skills Meet Purpose
The CES Underground Kitchen is Chef Empowerment's signature youth cooking program — a free, community-based series of hands-on sessions led by Executive Chef Carl Watts. Every class is designed to be educational, nutritious, and genuinely fun.
Students don't just follow recipes. They learn where food comes from, how to handle a knife safely, how to balance flavors, and how to take pride in feeding the people around them.
For many participants, the Underground Kitchen is the first step toward a career in the culinary arts — and a lifelong relationship with food, community, and confidence.
What We Teach
Hands-On Learning
Students work side-by-side with Chef Carl, mastering real kitchen techniques from knife skills to plating.
Farm-to-Table Focus
Every session connects the plate back to the garden — sourcing fresh, local ingredients and understanding where food comes from.
Community-Centered
Classes are free and open to youth in the community, removing every barrier between a young person and a life-changing skill.
Nutritious & Delicious
We believe healthy food should taste amazing. Students learn to cook meals that nourish the body and bring people together.
Request a Nutritional Awareness Cooking Class
Organizations, schools, and community groups can request a hands-on nutritional awareness cooking class led by Chef Carl Watts. Fill out the form below and our team will be in touch.
