Kitchen Possible

What Kitchen Possible does

Kitchen Possible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, that delivers weekly cooking classes to children aged 8–12 in under-resourced Chicago neighborhoods. Programming runs in 8-week sessions at four community center locations—Gads Hill Center (Pilsen), Breakthrough FamilyPlex (East Garfield Park), BUILD Chicago (South Austin), and Hyde Park Neighborhood Club (Hyde Park)—using volunteer instructors. Its core instructional framework is the proprietary "5 Steps to Cook Anything" methodology (Decide, Get a recipe ready, Follow it closely, Check in and edit, Taste and reflect), which is designed to teach practical cooking while building transferable life skills such as patience, goal-setting, planning, and course-correction.

The product surface consists of in-person cooking education, a published weekly blog ("This Week In The Kitchen"), and an annual fundraising event called Empowering Menus, in which 50+ Chicago restaurants donate menu items or special dishes to fund winter programming. There is no proprietary software, app, or AI/ML technology underpinning the program; the organization's "technology" is its curriculum methodology and its community-center delivery model.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable giving and event fundraising, not through fees paid by participants (classes are free). The organization publishes donation tiers ranging from $5–$100 for general class support, $125 to sponsor a single child's full 8-week session, $1,800 to sponsor a session's ingredients, $2,500 for equipment/setup at a new location, and $6,000 to underwrite a full-year program at a new location. The annual Empowering Menus fundraiser in September serves as the primary mechanism for funding winter programming. No revenue figures, funding rounds, headcount, or institutional investors are disclosed.

Name

Kitchen Possible

Legal name

Kitchen Possible

Website

https://kitchenpossible.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kitchen Possible is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free 8-week cooking classes to children aged 8–12 in under-resourced Chicago neighborhoods through community center partnerships, using its proprietary "5 Steps to Cook Anything" life-skills methodology and funding operations via donations and an annual restaurant fundraiser.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Life Skills Education

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAAGAG

Culinary Arts & Cooking (Baking, Pastry, Global Cuisines)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Personal Enrichment & Hobby Learning (Arts, Crafts, Music, Cooking)

SECONDARYTHAJAKAE

Culinary Skills Workshops (Baking, Regional Cooking, Food Prep Skills)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Workshops & Classes (Arts, Crafts, Skills & Local Lessons)

SECONDARYEDACAMAM

Food Safety, Sanitation & Healthy Food Environment Programs

Education/Early Childhood Education/Health and Nutrition Programs for Young Children

Keywords

• Youth cooking education
• Nonprofit youth programs
• After-school culinary
• Community culinary education
• Children nutrition education

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Kitchen Possible operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that generates revenue through charitable donations from individuals and organizations. Donation tiers include: supporting a class ($5-$100), sponsoring a child for an 8-week session ($125), sponsoring session ingredients ($1,800), equipment/setup for new location ($2,500), and full-year program at new location ($6,000).
2. Empowering Menus Fundraiser: Annual September fundraiser where Chicago restaurants donate menu items or special dishes, with proceeds funding winter programming. Over 50 restaurants participate annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kitchen Possible delivers free weekly cooking classes to children aged 8-12 living in under-resourced Chicago neighborhoods. Classes are taught using the organization's proprietary 5 Steps to Cook Anything methodology, which pairs culinary instruction with life-skills and confidence-building lessons. Programming is delivered on-site at community partner centers across four Chicago neighborhoods.

Product overview

Kitchen Possible is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering weekly cooking education programs for children aged 8-12 in under-resourced Chicago neighborhoods. The organization runs 8-week sessions at multiple community center locations, using its proprietary '5 Steps to Cook Anything' methodology as a vehicle to teach life skills such as patience, goal-setting, and resilience. The core offering consists of in-person cooking classes, supplemented by an annual restaurant fundraiser called Empowering Menus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weekly Cooking Classes for Kids

Quantifiable outcome

• Kids learn to cook real meals and experience life lessons firsthand including patience, asking for help, and course-correction.

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

48 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 5 RabanitosminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Tres Leches Abuelita Cake to support Kitchen Possible's winter programming.
• All Together NowminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Smashed White Bean Sandwich.
• Alla VitaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Chicken Parmigiana.
• Antique TacominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant (both locations) in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Chorizo Chili Cheese Curds.
• AvliminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant (all Chicago locations) in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Saganaki.
• Bang Bang Pie & BiscuitsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Key Lime Pie.
• BokaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Lightly Cured Kampachi.
• Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Seasonal Weekly Special.
• CoalfireminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Pepperoni Whipped Ricotta Pizza.
• DaisiesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Onion Dip.
• Dear MargaretminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Duck Liver Mousse.
• El Che Steakhouse & BarminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Empanadas.
• Floriole Cafe & BakeryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Parisian Sandwich.
• GaijinminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Toki Highball.
• GalitminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Gazoz.
• GG's Chicken ShopminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating an Original Fried Chicken Sandwich.
• GiantminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Taglietelle.
• Good AmblerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Kouign Amann.
• HaiSousminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Grilled Meat Platter.
• Honey Butter Fried ChickenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Gio-Joe.
• J.T.'s Genuine Sandwich ShopminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Michigan Olive Burger.
• LardonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Capicola and Burrata Sandwich.
• The Leavitt Street Inn & TavernminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating an L. St. Smash Burger.
• Loaf LoungeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Capicola, Egg, & Cheese.
• Luella's Southern KitchenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Kentucky Hot Brown.
• Lula CafeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Pasta Yia Yia.
• Monster RamenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Spicy Loaded Gyoza.
• Mott St.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Mott Burger.
• Peanut Park TrattoriaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Meatballs.
• Perilla FareminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Rice Cake Royal.
• Pizza Friendly PizzaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a special KP-inspired pizza.
• Pizza MattaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Meatball Grinder.
• Ramen-SanminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant (all locations) in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Spicy Szechuan Chicken Wings.
• Saigon SistersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Beef Khao Soi.
• SegnatoreminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Freestyle Lasagna.
• Soul & SmokeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant (all 3 locations) in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Pulled Pork Po' Boy.
• Steingold's of ChicagominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating The Vinny.
• Sushi-SanminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant (River North & Lincoln Park locations) in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating a Nigiri Set.
• Sugar Moon BakeryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Market Jam & Pecan Thumbprint Cookie.
• Tempesta MarketminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Vodka Chicken Parm.
• ThattuminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Kudampuli Pork Ribs.
• TortellominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Tortelli di Burrata.
• UnionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Fried Olives.
• Zarella Pizzeria & TaverenaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Participating restaurant in the Empowering Menus fundraiser, donating Mozzarella Sticks.
• Gads Hill CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGads Hill Center hosts weekly cooking classes for Kitchen Possible in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. This is a core program delivery partner location where 8-week sessions are conducted with kids aged 8-12.
• Breakthrough FamilyPlexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBreakthrough FamilyPlex hosts weekly cooking classes for Kitchen Possible in the East Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago. This is a core program delivery partner location.
• BUILD ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBUILD Chicago hosts weekly cooking classes for Kitchen Possible in the South Austin neighborhood of Chicago. This is a core program delivery partner location.
• Hyde Park Neighborhood ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHyde Park Neighborhood Club hosts weekly cooking classes for Kitchen Possible in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. This is a core program delivery partner location.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Cooking Matters (No Kid Hungry / Share Our Strength): National program teaching low-income families how to shop for and prepare healthy, affordable meals. Directly comparable on mission, target demographic, and community-based delivery model.
• Purple Asparagus: Chicago-based non-profit teaching children about healthy, seasonal, and local food through hands-on classes and tastings. Closest geographic peer with a similar kids-cooking-education mission.
• FoodCorps: Non-profit connecting kids to healthy food through service-member-delivered food education in schools. Comparable as a youth-focused food education non-profit operating in under-resourced areas.
• Common Threads: National non-profit providing hands-on cooking and nutrition education to children, families, and teachers, with strong Chicago roots. The closest direct peer given the shared mission of teaching kids cooking skills in under-resourced communities.

Others

• Wholesome Wave: Non-profit focused on improving affordable access to healthy food for under-resourced communities. Adjacent in mission (food access equity) but does not directly deliver hands-on cooking instruction.

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Public Schools After-School Programs: CPS operates extensive after-school and enrichment programming across Chicago schools. Comparable as a supplementary or competing provider of structured programs for school-age children in the same geography.

Emerging players

• Big Green (formerly The Kitchen Community): National non-profit building Learning Gardens and food literacy programs for kids. Comparable in youth food education mission but emphasizes garden-based learning over hands-on cooking instruction.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kitchen-possible

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kitchen Possible