In the Baking: Joanne Chang + Future Chefs

Future Chefs uses cooking as a medium to teach teens a broad range of essential life skills and professional skills. And who better to explore the impact of working in a kitchen than Boston’s beloved local pastry chef, cookbook author, restaurateur, and James Beard Award-winning chef Joanne Chang!

Founded by Toni Elka in 2008, Future Chefs‘ school-to-career program relies on a systemic collaboration with food service employers, community partnerships, and educators to provide hands-on-learning, preparatory and work-based experiences, youth development, leadership opportunities, and networking opportunities.

Since opening the first Flour Bakery in 2000, Joanne Chang now operates nine Flour bakeries and sister restaurant Myers + Chang in Boston and Cambridge with her husband and business partner Christopher Myers. Both Joanne and her businesses have garnered local and national recognition from Gourmet, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, the Food Network, Conde Nast Traveler, Inc. Magazine, O Magazine, Boston Magazine, and The Boston Globe.

Join us live from the kitchen at Future Chefs for a lunch-time conversation about self-agency, pastries, and the lessons and creative solutions we find through cooking—in the kitchen and in our communities.