New Haven Community Kitchen 'Havenly' Named Jacques Pépin​ Foundation Grant Awardee

NEW HAVEN, CT—The Jacques Pépin Foundation announced Havenly is one of their Winter 2026 Grant Awardees.

One of 20 recipients this round, Havenly provides paid training and education with tailored support services and long-term career support for refugee and immigrant women with high barriers to employment. They will use their grant to expand sales of their baklava, desserts, and Arab breakfast foods with the goal of doubling the self-sustaining revenue for the program.

"The JPF’s mission is realized in part by supporting programs that create opportunities through culinary training, and giving grants to these important, impressive, local organizations," said Rollie Wesen, Executive Director of the JPF. "Havenly’s program in New Haven provides refugee and immigrant women with practical kitchen training, workforce readiness, and supportive services that lead to meaningful employment and long-term stability. Their focus on skill-building, confidence, and community connection closely aligns with our mission, and we’re proud to support their continued impact."

In addition to the $10,000 grant, Havenly will receive JPF branded aprons for their students and a group membership to the Foundation.

"Thank you for the opportunity to grow our culinary training program and welcome more women into a career where food becomes a pathway to dignity, income, and leadership," said Caterina Passoni, Co-Founder, Growth Director at Havenly. "We are deeply grateful to the Jacques Pépin Foundation for believing in our vision."

About the Jacques Pépin Foundation and grant program

Founded in 2016 by the Pépin family, the JPF strives to enrich lives and strengthen communities through the power of culinary education. The JPF empowers and inspires professional chefs, home cooks, and community kitchens nationwide by sharing Jacques' legacy of culinary education. In 2019, the JPF became a grant-making organization, and in the last seven years the Foundation has given just shy of $2M to 98 different non-profit, community-based, culinary arts training programs that offer life skills and culinary training to individuals with barriers to employment. The JPF mission and vision are rooted firmly in the belief that culinary skills training leads to increased self-confidence, better health, and employment and career opportunities.

In addition to Havenly, Winter 2026 JPF Grants were awarded to East Lake United Methodist Church (Birmingham, AL), Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona (Tucson, AZ), Homeward Bound of Marin Fresh Starts Culinary Academy (Novato, CA), Mychal’s Learning Place (Los Angeles), Sprouts Training Center (San Francisco), The Salvation Army Napa Culinary Training Academy (Napa, CA), Manna (Durango, CO), Food Bank of Delaware (Newark, DE), Feeding Tampa Bay/FRESHforce (Tampa, FL), Gulfstream Goodwill Academies (West Palm Beach, FL), Dignity Plates at the Franciscan Center (Baltimore, MD), Rise and Shine (Odenton, MD), Michigan Hospitality Foundation (Lansing, MI), House of Bah (Omaha, NE), Eva’s Village (Paterson, NJ), Black Veterans for Social Justice (Brooklyn, NY), Foodlink (Rochester, NY), JustDane (Madison, WI), and Riverview Gardens (Appleton, WI).