#BlackOwned: Chef Los Is Feeding The Hood, One Plate At A Time
Pittsburgh Native and professional, Chef Carlos A Thomas graduated in 2009 from Peabody High School with both his diploma and a special skills certificate in Culinary Arts. After high school, "Chef Los" as he is commonly called, graduated from Le Cordon Bleu- Pittsburgh Institute of Culinary Arts with an Associates Degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management.
Throughout his entire life, Carlos has always been an advocate for community building and the creative arts amongst Pittsburgh youth. Chef Los has also been recognized as a BME award nominee and was featured in the web-viral "Perception of Complexion" by EJ Brown.
Image source / Voyage MIA
Feed The Hood was first initiated with a pop up called "Hotdogs For The Hood" in 2016. It was when a teacher at George Westinghouse High School said that for some students, this was their last meal of the day.
A lightbulb went off in Chef Los' mind, providing nourishment for his community became the driving force behind his initative.
"I made it my mission to feed my entire city. For free or for profit to make it free and accessible, I will feed the hood and contribute to solving hunger through the culinary arts. " - Chef Los
Feed The Hood’s mission is to expand the culinary workforce by providing students with peer to peer mentorship, culinary training, and real-world experience; preparing them for employment in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Feed The Hood’s vision is to create a community of food-service professionals within the restaurant and hospitality industry that focus on sustaining a healthy food environment and community.
Upon completion of a "Feed the Hood" program, students will have a vivid idea of what they can offer to not only the industry but to society at large. This model is designed to focus on the demographic regardless of age, color, or ethnic origin at age levels 5 and older.
