Fontaine McFadden

The Caring Kitchen Project

“My intention is to be an example to others, giving them the hope that they too can do extraordinary things that they dream about and make their dreams become reality.”

Fontaine McFadden and student prepare a tomato dish.
Photo courtesy of The Caring Kitchen

To start with, Fontaine helped set up and organize the non-profit’s computer program. She continues to help plan and implement on-going fundraisers. But her favorite role is that of Kitchen Mentor Chef to high school students, something she does once a week.

As a chef and mentor, Fontaine teaches four volunteer teens to develop culinary skills, deepen their knowledge of nutrition and prepare themselves for possible careers in the food business. Fontaine and the students work together to prepare vegetable-rich, nutritious meals designed for healing. Each week, these are delivered to the homes of families struggling with the challenges of cancer. (When Fontaine was only nine years old, her mother died of cancer, so this program is really close to her heart.)

What she loves most about working with the teens? “I help them become a team. I love creating a meaningful connection with them in a safe space where they can just be themselves and I can be a positive role model.”

One of her passions is to help them fall in love with healthy food and creative seasonings. Teens tend to be picky eaters or devotees of fast food, so Fontaine says it’s a lot of fun for her to see them try new foods and grow to love local, seasonal vegetables that they may not be familiar with at home.

While students may overtly learn about food, Fontaine’s program also helps them develop a natural empathy for the people they’re cooking for. As a result, they learn to make each recipe with love: an essential ingredient in cooking for anyone.

When she’s not volunteering for The Caring Kitchen Project, Fontaine enjoys working for North Coast Opportunities, its umbrella organization. Her hobbies include hiking, camping, traveling and planning her fall wedding with her fiancé.