April 25, 2020
April 25, 2020: A note from Chef Traci
It was hard to envision where we would be on this day 7 weeks ago. I had hoped to be back to business - leading corporate culinary team building events during the week, catering private parties on the weekend, and teaching Market to Table tours and cooking classes at the Atrium Kitchen. I’d hoped to have reconnected with the community we fostered through Nourished Neighborhood free community meals and Kindness in the Kitchen pay-it-forward breakfasts.
We aren’t there.
Yet.
Since March 16, we have served 2,700+ home bound seniors and people living houseless free breakfasts, lunches, dinners and desserts through our Nourished Neighborhood 2.0 program. When I say “we” it’s primarily been me with one of my staff, Jonah. We’ve perfected our production line. We’ve created some extraordinary nourishing food, and fun dishes (hello, meatball subs and chili cheese dogs?!?)
This week we did a soft-launch of our Atrium Kitchen Meal Kits. I’ve taken my popular cooking classes and translated them into fully-stocked meal kits for guests to pick up at the Market and work on their cooking skills at home. This weekend I’m creating IGTV content for people to follow along, and am outlining the plans for cooking demonstrations via ZOOM and our YouTube channel.
We’ve altered the weekly schedule - Mondays and Tuesdays are dedicated to Nourished Neighborhood prepared meal prep and deliveries for homebound seniors, and a hearty lunch for the homeless shelter. Wednesdays are an office day. On Thursdays we prep for Atrium Kitchen Meal Kits and service pick ups. Fridays we prepare breakfast for 120-140 people living homeless, and have meal kit pickups. Saturdays we will now have meal kit pick ups.
The hustle is real. Being an entrepreneur / small business owner is not for the mentally or physically weak. Long hours, unexpected challenges, and no two days that look the same. Don’t get me wrong - I LOVE what I get to do. My purpose in life is to nourish people, whether it be through food or connection. That love of what I do propels me forward. Everyday. Even in the midst of uncertainty. It’s all about being flexible, shifting focus, remaining open to new possibilities at a time when we want to pull the shutters and sit in the dark because of so much uncertainty.
How you can help?
Free: Share what we are offering with your friends, family and followers by sending them to our website and Instagram.
Support $5 and up: Contribute to our Nourished Neighborhood program.
Support $8.50 and up: Purchase an Atrium Kitchen Meal Kit to have a cooking experience at home.
In Kind Contributions: We accept in kind contributions of food and packaging for prepared meal service to homebound seniors and people living houseless. Email us with the details.
Send us good vibes: events@atriumkitchepikeplace.com; Instagram: @atriumkitchenatpikeplace