In early December, the renowned chef Jacques Pépin visited Community Servings in Jamaica Plain, MA, a JPF grantee, to lead an engaging and educational cooking lesson for students, staff, and alumni. This special hands-on session provided participants with invaluable insights into vegetable preparation and the art of classic French sauces, culminating in a book signing of Pépin’s celebrated book, The Apprentice.
While the full recording of Jacques Pépin’s inspiring lesson at Community Servings will be available for online streaming soon, enthusiasts can gain immediate access to a wealth of culinary knowledge by becoming a JPF Member. Membership unlocks over 160 cooking videos featuring Jacques and other esteemed chefs. Members can also anticipate the upcoming release of Cook with Jacques Pépin & Friends: Volume 4, which includes a new video featuring Jermaine McNeil, a Community Servings alum.
Community Servings, established in 1990, plays a vital role in the community by providing medically tailored meals (MTM) to individuals and families facing critical or chronic illnesses and nutrition insecurity. Their dedication extends beyond meal provision through the Teaching Kitchen program. This free, 12-week job training initiative empowers individuals to pursue lasting careers in the culinary field by combining classroom learning with practical, on-the-job experience.
Going beyond their core mission of healing and education, Community Servings’ Food is Medicine and MTM programs prioritize sustainability within the local food system through mindful sourcing and vendor relationships. Impressively, the MTM kitchen produces over 1 million medically tailored meals annually, demonstrating their significant impact.
The warm and supportive environment fostered by the entire Teaching Kitchen team at Community Servings was extended to Jacques and the JPF team, mirroring the kindness and encouragement they provide their students. This ensured a successful and enriching day for everyone involved.
The Jacques Pépin Foundation and all participants express sincere gratitude to Community Servings for hosting this exceptional cooking demonstration.
