With pulled pork, short ribs and smiling servers, Joy Kitchen created something special at their first pop-up restaurant. The dinner featured kids ages 10 to 16 cooking, serving, taking orders and supervising at Papa Turney’s in Hermitage. Joy Kitchen is a nonprofit that teaches underestimated youth from the J.C. Napier Homes community how to become cooks, servers and hosts. Ethan Counts, age 10, joined the program because he loves to cook. He helped plate 396 items at the pop-up. And the organization isn’t just about cooking for people. Chef Sterling Wright is creating a space where there is no judgment and everyone feels welcome. The goal is to raise $2 million to open a restaurant in 2026.
Best New Charitable Organization
