👩‍🍳 Meet Hot Bread Kitchen graduate Sandra! Before coming to NYC, Sandra owned a restaurant back home in Colombia, but guerrilla groups seized her earnings. After she filed a police report, they threatened her family, forcing her to leave everything behind. At 45, she came to the U.S. alone, determined to rebuild her life for herself and her family. In NYC, Sandra joined Hot Bread Kitchen’s Culinary Career Pathways for New New Yorkers program to pursue her passion for food. Since graduating in 2024, she has been thriving as a prep cook with our employer partner @theviewny! "Cooking has been my life since I was little. Cooking is passion, innovation. I always love making different dishes... This is a dream come true. I love cooking and want to share my cooking with the world.” On May 15th, Sandra took the stage at our Breadwinners Benefit to share her story with the community. It was a powerful and moving moment, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to highlight her journey. Visit the link in our bio to learn more about the New New Yorkers program 💜 📸 : @winilaophotos, @ultraclay (fb)

🎉🍾 Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our annual Breadwinners Benefit! This year, we were thrilled to honor two extraordinary individuals: Chaeri Tornay, our esteemed Board member whose steadfast leadership and advocacy have been instrumental since our founding. The incredible Melba Wilson, whose contributions to the culinary world and dedication to uplifting others embody the very heart of Hot Bread Kitchen’s mission. Gail Simmons, Hot Bread Kitchen board member, lent her magic hosting an evening of outstanding food and mission moments. Hot Bread Kitchen Graduate Sandra also provided powerful testimony to why our work matters 💜 Special thank you to our co-chairs, sponsors, partners, members, staff, and everyone else who made this incredible evening possible! 📸 : @ultraclay (fb)