The Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2016 by legendary chef Jacques Pépin, his daughter Claudine Pépin, and his son-in-law Rollie Wesen. Building on Jacques’ lifelong commitment to culinary education, the foundation’s primary mission is to support free culinary and life skills training for individuals who face significant barriers to employment, such as previous incarceration, homelessness, or substance abuse issues.
Jacques’ philanthropic work centers on the belief that culinary education can transform lives by providing a path to employment and self-sufficiency.
The foundation’s primary mission is to support community-based kitchens that offer free culinary and life skills training. This support is directed toward individuals who face high barriers to employment, including:
- People experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- Individuals who have been impacted by the justice system or previous incarceration.
- Those in recovery from substance abuse.
- Individuals with low skills or education who have been detached from the workforce.
Key Ways Jacques Contributes
Grants and Funding: By the end of 2025, the foundation is projected to have disbursed approximately $2 million to over 100 culinary training programs across the United States. These grants often range from $5,000 to $25,000 and can be used for anything from equipment to student support services like transportation and childcare.
Educational Resources: Pépin provides the foundation with his vast library of culinary content. This includes access to instructional videos, technique-oriented curricula, and cookbooks to help community kitchens teach professional skills.
The “90/90” Dinner Series: To celebrate his 90th birthday in 2025, Pépin launched an initiative featuring 90 ticketed dinners nationwide. These events unite chefs and restaurants to raise money specifically for the foundation’s mission.
Art for a Cause: Jacques donates a portion of the proceeds from his artwork—including his signature “chicken” paintings and posters—directly to the foundation and other organizations like Wholesome Wave.
Supporting Food Access: Beyond his own foundation, he supports Wholesome Wave, a nonprofit that works to make fresh, locally grown produce affordable for low-income families and underserved communities.
Legacy of Teaching
Pépin also gives back by continuing to educate both professionals and home cooks. He has spent decades teaching at Boston University and the International Culinary Center, and he produces free instructional videos on social media to ensure that foundational cooking skills remain accessible to everyone.
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The Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF) primarily supports non-profit, community-based culinary arts training programs. These organizations provide free job training and life skills to individuals facing high barriers to employment, such as previous incarceration, homelessness, or substance abuse recovery.
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As of early 2026, the JPF has awarded nearly $2 million to approximately 98 different programs across the United States.
Recent 2026 Grant Recipients (Winter Cycle)
The foundation recently announced its Winter 2026 cohort, which included 20 organizations receiving $10,000 “Principal Grants.” Key beneficiaries include:
Havenly (New Haven, CT): Supports refugee and immigrant women.
Eva’s Village (Paterson, NJ): Provides vocational training for those facing poverty and addiction.
Career Academy of The Palm Beaches (West Palm Beach, FL): Trains individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Stone Soup PDX (Portland, OR): A “Partnership Circle” grantee focusing on hands-on training for the food insecure.
Pathlight Home (Orlando, FL): Culinary training for formerly homeless individuals.
East Lake United Methodist Church (Birmingham, AL): Community-based culinary outreach.
Notable Multi-Year & Memorial Grant Beneficiaries
The JPF also provides larger, multi-year funding through its Partnership Circle ($50,000 over two years) and individual Memorial Grants for standout graduates.
Grant Type Notable Recipients
Partnership Circle Kitchen of Purpose (Arlington, VA), Stone Soup PDX (Portland, OR)
Memorial Grants Graduates from Forge City Works (Hartford, CT), Project Renewal (NYC), and Cathedral Kitchen (Camden, NJ)
Regional Partners Emma’s Torch (Brooklyn/DC), Drive Change (Brooklyn), Second Helpings (Indianapolis), FareStart (Seattle)
Who the Grants Help
The ultimate beneficiaries are the students and “alumni” of these programs. The JPF funding is often used for:
Instructional costs: Salaries for chef-instructors and curriculum development.
Essential gear: Knife kits, uniforms, and JPF-branded aprons.
Alumni support: Networking events and professional development to ensure long-term job retention.
Note: The JPF also provides these organizations with the “Jacques Pépin Video Recipe Book,” an exclusive digital library used as a teaching tool in their classrooms.
