Empowering Students Through Culinary Arts: The Kitchen tABLE Academy Story

At the Poway Community Foundation, we believe that when opportunity meets support, remarkable things happen. One shining example is The Kitchen tABLE Academy (KTA)— a program where students truly “Live to Learn and Learn to Live.”

KTA is more than a classroom. It’s a fully functioning culinary and hospitality training space designed for Special Education Transition Students ages 18–22. Here, students discover their passions and talents through hands-on experiences that prepare them for life after school.

What makes KTA truly unique is its collaborative teaching model. A Career Technical Educator works side by side with a Special Education Educator, blending real-world job skills with personalized support. This approach has made KTA a regional model for other districts looking to expand opportunities for students with developmental disabilities.

Thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Poway Community Foundation, the KTA team has been able to strengthen its curriculum, open new marketplace opportunities, and give students a clearer focus on their career paths. These funds have helped KTA build long-term sustainability while continuing to inspire confidence, inclusion, and independence among its students.

Every day, these young adults are learning not only how to prepare food but also how to prepare for life—gaining skills, pride, and purpose along the way.

As the KTA team proudly says: “Not all superheroes wear capes—some wear aprons.”

The Poway Community Foundation is honored to support this inspiring program that helps every student see their own potential and dream big.