OUR PROGRAM —
Founded in 2016, Food Dreams is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation created by business owner Louise Vongerichten Ulukaya, Chefs Cedric and Jean-Georges Vongerichten that aims to help passionate individuals from around the globe gain access to culinary education and career opportunities in the restaurant industry that would otherwise be out of reach. Food Dreams is a holistic program: it not only offers scholarship opportunities to some of the finest culinary schools, but it also provides an extensive post-graduate mentorship program in collaboration with Jean-Georges’ network of restaurants around the world.
Food Dreams is more than a scholarship; it is about creating networks and opportunities that help open the doors of some of the most renowned kitchens in the world to the next generation.
“The Food Dreams Foundation gave me the opportunity to jump-start my dream career. It is due to the generosity and support of the foundation that I have steadily been gaining hands-on experience in the culinary industry and making extraordinary connections.”
Morgan Comet
— Graduate CIA & Food Dreams Program ‘19
Since 2016, Food Dreams has helped more than 60 students jump start their carrer and pursue their dreams of working in prestigious kitchens or opening their own restaurant. As the foundation continues to grow, Food Dreams is looking to expand its network and partner with other culinary colleges and institutes around the world to provide opportunities to new students every year.
“When I graduated high school, I wanted to be a doctor, specifically a surgeon. However, I always had an interest in food from a very young age, watching the Food Network, cooking almost every day, trying new things, using different ingredients, and grocery shopping. I realized a career in medicine wasn’t right for me, so I decided to take the leap and do what I was truly passionate about. I was accepted at the Culinary Institute of America but had no way of paying tuition and moving to New York. I decided to take on a lot of loans and try anyway. Then my life changed completely, in September 2019 Hurricane Maria destroyed Puerto Rico, leaving my family with no other choice but to use my savings to recover from this catastrophic event. Later that year, however, I found out I was awarded the Food Dreams Scholarship, and it has truly been a dream ever since: Food Dreams not only allowed me to continue my education during very hard times, but it also opened many doors in the industry that I would’ve not been able to open by myself.”
VALERIA R. CASTRO
— CIA & FOOD DREAMS GRADUATE 2019