Our Story
Founder Jessamyn Waldman Rodriquez’s idea for Hot Bread Kitchen was inspired by her combined experiences as a social innovator, a baker, and advocate for the rights of women and immigrants. She envisioned an immigrant baking collective, where women with diverse histories would come together to sharpen their skills and secure meaningful careers in a male-dominated food industry in New York City.
Over the past decade, Hot Bread Kitchen has fulfilled that founding vision and expanded our support to include both women and emerging food entrepreneurs, refining our programming to grow careers and businesses across the culinary sector. And every day, we use our connections and influence to shape a larger dialogue about a more diverse, equitable and inclusive food industry.
Our approach turns careers in food into financial stability. We support 300+ women from 60 countries, 250+ food entrepreneurs, and created $100+ million in economic impact. And we continue to rise.
2008
Jessamyn Waldman Rodriguez founds
2009
NYC restaurants and GrowNYC Greenmarkets begin selling bread
NYC restaurants and GrowNYC Greenmarkets begin selling bread baked by the women in our program.
TODAY: Our workforce curriculum expands well beyond the kitchen and our bread is baked by partners who share our values. Hot Bread Kitchen products are sold across the Northeast, with 100% of profits feeding our mission.
2012
Hot Bread Kitchen “Almacen,” Hot Bread Kitchen’s first retail location
Hot Bread Kitchen “Almacen,” Hot Bread Kitchen’s first retail location, opens at La Marqueta carrying Hot Bread Kitchen’s full line of bread and products from the Incubator’s culinary businesses.
TODAY: Hot Bread Kitchen Incubator Alumni Amuse Bouche has taken over the stall at La Marqueta and offers lunch and dinner daily.
2015
The Hot Bread Kitchen Cookbook is published
“The Hot Bread Kitchen Cookbook” is published, winning the 2015 Yahoo! Food Cookbook of the Year and the Food52 Piglet Award! Alongside the recipes, you’ll find the story of Hot Bread Kitchen and the women and small business owners who are an integral part of our story.
Shop the Hot Bread Kitchen cookbook at most booksellers and online.
2016
Our incubator helps launch 36 food business start ups
Our incubator helps launch 36 diverse food businesses selling everything from desserts to tamales to popcorn (like Pipsnacks!)
TODAY: We have served 250+ food businesses, 90% of which are run by women and people of color. Read more about our Incubator.
2019
We surpass our goal to quadruple the number of women placed in jobs
We surpass our goal to quadruple the number of women placed in jobs from 2016-2019 and place 108 women with 50+ employer partners in New York City.
TODAY: We continue to refine and strengthen our workforce model to couple culinary training with wrap-around services and long-term support for our alumni. Learn more about our workforce program.
2019
Hot Bread Kitchen launches “Entrepreneur in Residence”
Hot Bread Kitchen launches “Entrepreneur in Residence” program at Chelsea Market, providing key Manhattan retail access to small businesses.
2019
We relaunch our best-selling challah braid
Hot Bread Kitchen relaunches our best-selling traditional challah braid and Parker House Rolls—now kosher!
2020
Hot Bread Kitchen opens a new 11,000 square-foot headquarters in Brooklyn
Hot Bread Kitchen opens a new 11,000 square-foot headquarters in Brooklyn, bringing their programs together under one roof and deepening support for women and entrepreneurs.
