Chef Marianne Ali, the first Catalyst for Change Award Winner

Chef Marianne Ali, the first Catalyst for Change Award Winner

Catalyst Kitchens presents the first CK Annual Award in recognition of an individual from the CK network whose outstanding service and dedication to empowering lives through job training has made a significant impact to individuals, their community, and the field of food service social enterprise. 

The first recipient of this award is the very special Chef Marianne Ali, Director of Culinary Job Training at DC Central Kitchen. Marianne embodies the spirit of this award; she has given her heart and talent to supporting student goals and the success of DCCK. 

Here are a few statistical highlights from Marianne’s eighteen years of service at DCCK: 

Named a 2014 White House Champion of Change

102 annual graduates, a new organizational best for DCCK

Graduated milestone 100th culinary class

Increased graduates’ average starting wages by more than $1.00 per hour

Developed innovative new intake scorecard