Before joining the Hot Bread Kitchen team, Chef Charlene built an impressive culinary resume starting with her graduation from the French Culinary Institute. She continued her career in renowned professional kitchens such as Nicole’s, 202 Café, Red Rooster Harlem, and American Table Café and Bar at Lincoln Center. Now, Chef Charlene utilizes her experience to help set New Yorkers on the path towards economic mobility through culinary careers.
Chef Charlene joined the Hot Bread Kitchen team over 3 years ago as a part-time Culinary Instructor for our outpost locations. Since then, Charlene has become the full-time Lead Culinary Instructor at our home base in Chelsea Market.
As lead instructor of the Culinary Fundamentals program, Chef Charlene oversees the member cohorts and kitchen team at Chelsea Market. She provides hands-on training in core culinary and baking skills, food safety, and essential kitchen fundamentals.
“I love that I am helping to give opportunities to people who otherwise couldn’t go the traditional route. Culinary school is expensive, and there are a lot of people who are interested in cooking professionally but just can’t afford it. That kind of expense is a huge blocker in their career path. Hot Bread Kitchen provides a great environment, where you can get an understanding of the industry, and give yourself a real start in your career.”
Charlene also invests in each member’s success on a personal level. She takes the time to understand their lived experiences, learning styles and aspirations as she adapts her teaching to ensure every member, regardless of background or previous kitchen experience, feels capable and supported. “I tell all our members to understand that Hot Bread Kitchen is a constant resource to them, and I make sure to offer myself to them as a constant resource as well,” she shared. Her ability to build trust allows members to overcome barriers, gain confidence, and envision new futures for themselves.
“Members need genuine human interactions to guide them. What can be better than when it’s someone who has learned experience they can relate to? Along with working in kitchens, I’m also a mother, so I understand the concerns outside of work that impact our members’ lives and careers. We can relate in real ways, and that makes a difference.”
Charlene’s deep understanding of members’ strengths, challenges, and work styles makes her insights invaluable across the organization. Through hands-on mentorship—cooking alongside members, encouraging them through setbacks, and witnessing their growth firsthand—she plays a critical role in preparing graduates for success and collaborating with the Workforce Development team to match them with jobs with our employer partners. Her referrals carry weight because they are rooted in genuine relationships and trust. Chef Charlene transforms lives through skill-building, connection, and compassion—empowering individuals, strengthening families, and advancing New York’s culinary workforce one graduate at a time.
