Mentorship, Second Chances & Food Justice | My Work with L.A. Kitchen

Working alongside Robert Egger—founder of L.A. Kitchen and DC Central Kitchen, and an early collaborator of Chef José Andrés—was one of the most transformative and purpose-driven chapters of my career. A visionary in every sense, Robert spent decades reshaping the way we think about food, equity, and opportunity. His life’s work centered on the belief that hunger isn’t about a lack of food—it’s about a lack of justice.

As a longtime partner and early supporter of L.A. Kitchen, I had the privilege of helping lead their advanced culinary training program, designed to offer formerly incarcerated and system-impacted individuals a pathway to employment, empowerment, and community.

My contributions included:

• Developing and implementing a 16-week culinary internship curriculum

• Mentoring students through live dinner services that mimicked real restaurant pressures

• Participating in student graduations, evaluations, and final projects

• Creating job opportunities and mentorship pipelines through my restaurants

Through this work, I proudly hired multiple students from L.A. Kitchen—most memorably a brilliant team member who joined our kitchen at Preux & Proper after serving 18 years of incarceration. That individual went on to become a vital part of our family, reminding us daily that redemption and excellence go hand in hand.

The program’s impact extended far beyond the kitchen. It was about:

• Rescuing perfectly good food from landfills

• Turning that food into meals that nourished fellow Angelenos

• Teaching culinary skills that led to real jobs, fair wages, and restored dignity

Robert built spaces where people could show up as their whole selves—where talent was seen, respected, and celebrated. He proved that the hospitality industry can be a force for systemic change, not just service.

I’m forever grateful for the chance to be part of that mission. And I carry the spirit of L.A. Kitchen with me in every space I work to create.