Brainfood programs provide high school aged youth the opportunity to learn about food, nutrition, cooking, and jobs in the food industry through activities, games, restaurant visits, cooking in our kitchen, and working with guest chefs.
Brainfood currently has 3 programs that serve youth in the Washington DC community at our 3 program sites (Columbia Heights, Chinatown, and Mt. Vernon Square):
Brainfood Kitchen All Stars is a year-long program (September - May) that introduces participants to learning life skills and leadership skills through food and cooking.
Participants attend classes 2 days/week (Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday) from 4:00pm - 6:30pm.
This program is offered at our Chinatown and Columbia Heights sites.
Brainfood Community is a year-long program (September - May) where past Brainfood graduates use their leadership skills to plan, facilitate, and deliver healthy cooking workshops to the DC community.
Participants attend classes 2 days/week (Tuesday & Thursday) from 4:00pm - 6:30pm.
This program is offered at our Mt. Vernon Square site only.
Brainfood Summer Institute is a five-week summer program based on the content for our Kitchen All Stars program.
Participants attend classes 5 days/week (Monday - Friday) from 1:00pm - 5pm.
This program is offered at our Chinatown site only.
Throughout our interactive programs, Brainfood emphasizes:
- Healthy living
- Critical thinking
- Responsibility
- Teamwork
- Community service
- Independence
- Self-reliance
- Job skills
- Leadership
- Fun!
During the program year, Brainfood hosts an Open Kitchen Night where participants prepare their favorite dishes for their family and friends.
Brainfood Kitchen All Stars culminates in our Brainfood Chefs' Challenge and Graduation, an event where teams of participants compete and create and array of tasty dishes.