Say Hello to The Kitchen House!

Edible Education Experience will now be known as The Kitchen House!  

The organization will continue to operate in the Emeril Lagasse Foundation Kitchen House and Culinary Garden located in the heart of College Park. Its name is a tribute to this facility and aligns with the organization’s mission to create opportunities to explore deeper connections with our food and each other through immersive, garden-to-kitchen experiences for the Central Florida community.

The Kitchen House name reflects a focus on growing programming and expanding community reach, with new co-executive directors Sara Elliott and Betsy Gwinn. Elliott’s mission-focused experience from her time at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture and Gwinn’s deep roots in the Central Florida non-profit community reinforce this direction and bring excitement and energy to all levels of the organization.

“Our name reflects what we do—inviting people of all ages into a warm, welcoming space where they can grow, cook, and enjoy real food together,” says Gwinn.  

“At The Kitchen House, we believe that knowing how to prepare fresh, whole food–especially plants–isn’t just a nice-to-have skill, it’s essential for our health and the environment,” says Elliott. “Through hands-on classes, interactive programs, and joyful shared meals, we equip our community with the knowledge, skills, and values to make informed food choices. We focus on foods that are grown, not manufactured—because they fuel healthier bodies, stronger communities, and a more sustainable planet.”

The Kitchen House journey began over a decade ago with local Chef Kevin Fonzo, gardener Brad Jones, and educator Sarah Cahill along with the principal and teachers at Orlando Junior Academy.  They asked “what if students could learn about science, health, and the environment by engaging with real food?” That idea took root and continues to form the foundation of our youth and community programming today.

This focus is what brought and keeps Chef Megan Amnott, The Kitchen House’s Program Manager, with the organization. “We focus our experiences around showing people how to confidently grow, cook and enjoy whole foods, especially plants,” says Amnott. “Our robust garden provides fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs, and almost every experience involves harvesting from the garden. The best part is enjoying the meals together.”

This is a critical need, and the numbers speak volumes. Today, 70% of the average diet for children and teens in the U.S. is made up of ultra-processed foods—a diet pattern directly linked to high rates of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. The Kitchen House programming provides opportunities for the community to learn how to grow and cook whole foods–it’s a recipe for long-term wellness.

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Thank you for being part of our journey. We can’t wait to welcome you to The Kitchen House and keep sharing the joy of good food with you!