Libsyn Directory

017: Serving Up Second Chances: How the Sprouts Chef Training Program for Youths is Transforming Lives and the Future with Kate Rogers, Nelson German, and Michael Bauers

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Release Date: 12/03/2024

046: Your Kitchen, Your Garden: The Indoor Farming Game Changer with Conner Tidd

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Episode Description: “How can we make growing your own food possible in environments where it normally wasn’t? Or can we drastically lower the impact of water use, fertilizer use, or resources used to drive to the grocery store? That’s a big impact that we can have if we can allow you to grow your own food right at home.” —Conner Tidd What if you could grow fresh, pesticide-free produce just steps from your refrigerator, regardless of where you live? Indoor vertical farming isn't just a trend— it's a revolutionary approach to sustainable, accessible food production....

045: Urban Food Hacking: Your Yard's Hidden Food Potential with Marjory Wildcraft

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Episode Description: “Once you start eating your own food, it expands your taste horizons and you can’t be afraid to experiment. If it doesn’t work out and it’s horrible, just put it in the compost bucket and start over. It’s okay, you’ll be fine.” —Marjory Wildcraft Food is not just sustenance; it's a fundamental human right that we've outsourced to complex, fragile systems. This disconnection from food sources has transformed us into passive consumers dependent on a market that creates an illusion of abundance, masking a precarious supply chain that can unravel in...

044: Entrepreneurial Flavor: Breaking Barriers in the Healthy Snack Market with Seena Chriti

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Episode Description: “I don’t have an MBA. I only have a food knowledge background, and that doesn’t make me an expert, either. But I know how to inquire and how to connect. So I have just been digging and grinding through my process, always finding the answers when I need them.” —Seena Chriti Snack innovation is more than just creating a product—it's about telling a cultural story through flavor. Every bite carries the potential to bridge traditions and challenge culinary expectations. Seena Chriti is a culinary arts graduate from Mexico City with a...

043: Farming Forward: How Regenerative Methods Are Rewriting Agriculture with Jason Walker

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Episode Description: “We need to think more about the ecosystem, and it’s not always the cheapest way to do stuff. I think we’re just trying to make a difference. And if we can make a living while making a difference, then that’s really important.” —Jason Walker Regenerative organic farming is more than just a method—it's a revolutionary approach to healing our planet's most critical resource: soil. It offers a holistic approach that sees agriculture not as an extraction process but as a recuperative, life-giving partnership with the Earth. Jason Walker is a visionary...

042: From Tap to Table: Smart Water Storage Techniques for Modern Communities with Jamiah Hargins

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Episode Description: “Trust that you can do the Math and that you have the tenacity and that nature will give you way more opportunities than you even need.” —Jamiah Hargins Imagine a world where water conservation isn't just a choice, but a critical strategy to survival. Water isn't just slipping through our fingers—it's vanishing before our eyes. Yet, our current consumption patterns are writing a dangerous narrative for future generations. Hence, the silent crisis of water conservation demands immediate, innovative solutions that reimagine how we interact with...

041: Mindful Foodies: Eating Smart, Wasting Nothing with Janet Irizarry

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Episode Description: “I want to create a world of mindful foodies. I don't see this as a little project. I see this as something big.” —Janet Irizarry Every bite we take is a vote for the planet's future, and our children are the most powerful voters we have. By modeling mindful eating to them, we can transform how future generations understand and respect the journey of their food. Janet Irizarry is a culinary innovator and passionate educator who has dedicated her professional life to reshaping how families approach food sustainability. As an instructor at the Culinary...

040: Scaling Smart: Practical Advice for Small Business Owners with Sebastian Stahl

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Founder Resource Series Episode Description: “My advice for people that are wanting to shift or starting out is to just jump in the water. Once you're there, you're going to figure out how to swim.” —Sebastian Stahl A lot of startups crumble within their first year—a stark reminder that dreams alone cannot sustain a business. But the difference between survival and surrender often hinges on adaptability, strategic thinking, and the courage to pivot when the path becomes uncertain. Sebastian Stahl is a battle-tested entrepreneur who has navigated the complex terrains...

039: The Entrepreneur’s Plate: Reimagining Food’s Potential for Sustainability with Ashwin Cheriyan

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Episode Description: “You can over engineer things like a business plan. I think there's no substitute for going out and just trying things— that's the best and fastest way you can learn.” —Ashwin Cheriyan Modern life often makes it hard to balance convenience, health, and sustainability, leaving many searching for better options. Ashwin Cheriyan, Thistle’s co-founder and CEO, is a former corporate lawyer turned passionate innovator, dedicated to bringing health and sustainability to everyone’s table. Ashwin’s work focuses on proving that eating delicious,...

038: Bytes for Bites: Streamlining Food Innovation with AI with Riana Lynn

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Founder Resource Series Episode Description: “I think consumers and company leaders are becoming more curious as to what the alternatives are and not just following simple workflows and playbooks. The transparency and the ability to educate around the possibilities— the alternative possibilities of manufacturing and ingredients that are available.” —Riana Lynn The possibilities for AI-powered innovation in the culinary world are truly exciting. Consumers are now more intrigued than ever about the transformative potential of AI-powered solutions in innovation and...

037: Beyond the Basket: The Secret Ingredient to Building a Regenerative Community with Wen-Jay Ying

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Beyond the Basket: The Secret Ingredient to Building a Regenerative Community with Wen-Jay Ying Episode Description: “It's having a genuine interest in your consumers, not just a transactional experience— That is the best way to build community.” —Wen-Jay Ying Building a thriving community takes more than just a shared interest— it requires genuine connections, a sense of belonging, and a shared vision for a better future. In an age of impersonal online interactions, the power of face-to-face relationships and supporting local businesses has never been more important....

More Episodes

“A job is a give and take. You give your time, you build momentum, and you build value in the community; but then you also receive financial remuneration. But this is about cooking as well, and the healing component of kitchens.” —Kate Rogers

“It's not just for a job, it's for the future. These kids are thinking long-term, which is something that is hard to see in the youth.” —Nelson German

“Just one thing going right can change your life.” —Michael Bauer

For many young adults facing hardship, the path to a brighter future can seem daunting. But with the right support and guidance, their lives can be transformed in remarkable ways. Empowering at-risk youth to find their passion and purpose is a powerful catalyst for change.

Kate Rogers, the founder and executive director of the Sprouts Chef Training Program, has dedicated her career to providing comprehensive job training, mentorship, and financial workshops to empower young adults. Partnering with renowned chefs like Nelson German and Michael Bauer, the program is changing the trajectory of lives, one trainee at a time.

Tune in as Justine interviews Kate, Nelson, and Michael to discover the inspiring stories, the program's holistic approach, the long-term impact of empowering at-risk youth through culinary arts, and more.

This Giving Tuesday, you can give the gift of opportunity. $5,000 sponsors a life-changing 3-month paid internship through the Sprouts Chef Training Program. And the best part? NextGen Purpose will MATCH your donation, doubling your impact. Donate today and change a life!

Meet Kate:

Kate Rogers is the founder and executive director of the Sprouts Chef Training Program. Driven by her personal experiences and a deep passion for empowering at-risk youth, Rogers established Sprouts with the goal of providing culinary training and job opportunities to young adults facing hardship. Under her leadership, the program has expanded to multiple cities, partnering with renowned chefs and restaurants to offer comprehensive training and mentorship. Rogers' unwavering dedication to creating positive change in the lives of the program's participants has been instrumental in Sprouts' success and growth.

Meet Michael:

Michael Bauer is a renowned food writer and restaurant critic. He served as the restaurant critic and food editor for the San Francisco Chronicle for over 32 years, establishing himself as a leading voice in the Bay Area culinary scene. Since leaving the Chronicle, Bauer has dedicated his time to supporting the restaurant industry and giving back to the community. He currently serves on the board of the Sprouts Chef Training Program, where he leverages his industry expertise to help mentor and empower at-risk youth interested in culinary careers.

Meet Nelson:

Nelson German is the chef and owner of alaMar, a popular restaurant in Oakland, California. With over a decade of experience in the industry, German has established himself as a respected figure in the Bay Area culinary community. In addition to running his own successful restaurant, German has been an active participant in the Sprouts Chef Training Program, serving as a mentor and providing hands-on training to young adults looking to break into the restaurant industry. German's commitment to giving back and supporting the next generation of culinary talent has made him an invaluable asset to the Sprouts program.

Connect with Sprouts Chef Training Program:

Connect with NextGen Purpose:

Episode Highlights:

00:17 The Sprouts Chef Training Program