Future Chefs prepares teens for life and work after high school.

Future Chefs empowers Boston youth to take charge of their future by providing opportunities to lead and to develop the skills needed to grow in their personal and professional life beyond high school. Our conviction is that the life skills and knife skills learned in the kitchen can be applied meaningfully in all avenues of a fulfilling life.

our HISTORY

Founder Toni Elka started Future Chefs in 2008, believing strongly that we as a society have a collective obligation to prepare young people to find employment and lead productive lives.

Ms. Elka took action by developing a comprehensive school-to-career program, utilizing her knowledge working with youth throughout her extensive career. Her long-term vision, however, was to enrich and extend workforce development and personal growth opportunities for all teens making the crossing from adolescence to adulthood.

our CULTURE

Future Chefs understands that by providing early employment, transferable skills training, and ongoing coaching and support, a young person will establish early patterns of success.

We believe that every student develops in a setting that provides high expectations, opportunities for growth and positive interactions with adults. Students emerge from the program with the professional experience and confidence to pursue jobs that are both personally fulfilling and financially stable.
 

our Vision

Our goal is to cultivate a vibrant cohort of young professionals who are committed to advancing the culinary arts and beyond.

Through the lessons they learn at Future Chefs, we hope that they will continue to think about creative solutions whether it is in the kitchen, their communities, or the world. We encourage them in their efforts to foster a culinary industry that is inclusive, healthy, and mindful of its social and environmental impact. 

We believe in creating a sense of belonging for the community, our staff and our young people through cultural humility and love which is expressed in the respect we have for the community that we ourselves have been welcomed into.

We believe in the dignity of all human beings so that all people have power over their lives.

We believe that social justice is possible and we are committed to the work of realizing change, knowing that this work is an ongoing practice.

We believe that the struggle for equity is nourished by the experience of joy and appreciation of beauty and craft created by each individual at Future Chefs.

“The transition from adolescence to adulthood shapes a person's life. We ensure that young people aren’t just getting the technical skills they need, but also life skills and a meaningful connection to the adult community.”