About Us

Chef Ajuana or as she is commonly known Chef AJ, desires to use her God-given gifts of cooking to spread hope back into the hearts of the community through food, as an expression of love. 

Her vision is to use her gift of cooking to serve, encourage and uplift inner-city youths of West Mifflin Pennsylvania. As a trained Culinarian, she is qualified to share how to prepare a wide range of comfort foods to those that have an interest in the art of cooking. Those who may have lost hope and who may feel like no one cares for them. Living life unfulfilled with no purpose. Probably very talented individuals with skills in academics, sports, the arts and yes maybe they already possess some skills in the kitchen. But they may have no one to take an interest in them or in helping to develop their skills. The object here is to help nourish and guide them on their purposeful path. 

Ajuana shared how she grew up cooking! Every day after school at an early age of around 11--years-old, she cooked. Some friends and family members that grew up alongside her recollects her having to run back inside the house in between playing schoolgirl games like double dutch, hopscotch, Chinese jump rope etc. to check on meals she was baking in the oven to be ready for when her mom got home from work. The likes of stuffed Cornish hens browned, seasoned well and cooked to doneness. As a latchkey kid, she spent a lot a time on her own and knew of the trappings of a fast paced, inner-city environment with the lures and seduction of crime that crouched at the locked door. Though she had her share of youthful indiscretions and by the grace of God, ended up being where He desired her to be, can look back and all that can be said is, "it was the Lord's doing and it's marvelous in our eyes" where and how God has knitted her life together. Honors are given to her great grandmother and mother for instilling in her the beginning passions of cooking. 

It is believed that food is the catalyst to open and honest conversation in what is known as "kitchen table talk". It makes people feel comfortable and allows for walls to come down, which will bring true feelings about personal experiences in life to light!  As long as a safe and secure, non-judgmental environment is maintained. 

It is the hope that building relationships centered around food, will established confidence in inner-city youths in the form of cooking classes and group prepared meals. Loving on them and not being fearful of them, will open doors to their future and reveal their God-given purpose and passions. This will instill courage and self-discipline to say no to a path not designed for them, and help the youths stay on the right paths ultimately, giving glory to God.

This organization was established in the year 2022 by Chef Ajuana, in a response to a calling. Desiring to fulfil what she believes to be why she was put here on earth; to be a servant of the Lord.

Coming from the south-side of Chicago and raised by a loving yet tough mother, she could have easily continued down a path not destined for her. A misguided teen with too much time on her hands and while her loving mother worked and some nights, attended college classes dabbled in areas that could have landed her in juvenile court. But God.... had a plan and purpose for her life. (For God sees the end from the beginning and also sees who we will become, not just who we are at any given moment. Read Isaiah 46:10 I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.' (biblehub.com) )

A plan to intercede in the lives of youths before they take that wrong turn, to hopefully course correct. Hindsight being 20/20 and all, there are things that she would have done differently. But it is never too late or too early to begin on our God-given path. It's all a matter of belief, faith and taking that first step. So here we go!

Hope in the hearts of human beings is a healthy way to live. Having total dependence on God by our Christian faith!