About Us
Built by the Community. For the Community.
The People's Kitchen was founded on a simple belief: that talent and drive are equally distributed, but opportunity is not. We exist to change that.
Our Mission
We provide minority entrepreneurs and veterans with the commercial kitchen space, business education, and peer community they need to turn food dreams into thriving businesses — completely free of charge. No barriers. No gatekeeping. Just opportunity.
Our Story
How It Started
The People's Kitchen was born out of frustration. Our founders watched talented cooks and food entrepreneurs in their community struggle not because they lacked skill or passion, but because they lacked access — to licensed kitchen space, to business knowledge, to capital, and to networks.
In early 2024, a group of community organizers, veteran advocates, and small business owners came together with a shared vision: create a space where the barriers that have historically kept minority entrepreneurs and veterans out of the food industry simply don't exist.
Today, The People's Kitchen has supported over 65 entrepreneurs across 4 cities, generated more than $1 million in community revenue, and built a network of mentors, alumni, and advocates who pay it forward every single day.
What We Stand For
Our Values
Radical Access
Everything we offer is free. Always. We believe financial barriers should never stand between a person and their dream.
Community First
We are not a program — we are a community. Every entrepreneur who joins becomes part of a network that lifts each other up.
Dignity & Respect
We treat every person who walks through our doors as the capable, talented entrepreneur they already are.
Systemic Change
We address root causes, not symptoms. Our work is about dismantling the structural barriers that have excluded too many for too long.
The People Behind the Mission
Meet Our Team
Rachelle Marcelin
Co-Founder
Co-Founder of The People’s Kitchen, Rachelle brings more than 10 years of experience in small business management, finance, and entrepreneurship. She was also a founding partner of the thriving La Perle Haitian Restaurant in Everett, where she gained firsthand experience building and growing a successful food business.
Kimheat Jacques
co-founder
Co-Founder of The People’s Kitchen, Kim brings a deep family legacy in hospitality and entrepreneurship. Her parents were once the largest Popeyes Chicken franchisees in the entire Northeast, and her family successfully owned, operated, and later sold Ipswich Clambake in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Fritz Saintime
Director of Programs & Veteran Services
A US Coast Guard Veteran, former restaurant & hotel owner, and serial entrepreneur and investor, Fritz brings more than 25 years of small business consulting experience to our workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions, helping entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses.
James Okafor
Commercial Kitchen Manager
James manages day-to-day kitchen operations, scheduling, and safety compliance, ensuring every entrepreneur has a world-class space to work in.
Our Partners & Supporters
We are grateful to the organizations and funders who make our work possible.
Join Our Community
Whether you're ready to apply or just want to learn more, we'd love to hear from you.