our commitment
Chefs Table Foundation (CTF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit video production organization that creates educational cooking shows and offers culinary school scholarships for U.S. veterans and visually impaired adults. Classes take place at The New England Center for Arts and Technology (NECAT) in Boston. Our goal is to provide culinary skills training that also promotes self-sufficiency and confidence as our candidates prepare for new careers in the culinary industry.
To fulfill its mission, CTF produces an online educational culinary cooking school called The Chefs’ Table Series®, employing top rated chefs in various cuisines to teach and instruct. Our cooking series is designed to be informative, educational, engaging, and social and features cooking instruction, farm-to-table, and chef’s tips, along with wine and beer pairings.
The online culinary cooking school will become a revenue vehicle to raise funds to continue to fulfill CTF’s Mission. Utilizing online video, and social and print media is bringing a greater awareness to the mission of the Foundation, as we help people in need.
To fulfill its mission, CTF produces an online educational culinary cooking school called The Chefs’ Table Series®, employing top rated chefs in various cuisines to teach and instruct. Our cooking series is designed to be informative, educational, engaging, and social and features cooking instruction, farm-to-table, and chef’s tips, along with wine and beer pairings.
The online culinary cooking school will become a revenue vehicle to raise funds to continue to fulfill CTF’s Mission. Utilizing online video, and social and print media is bringing a greater awareness to the mission of the Foundation, as we help people in need.
Our VISION
We offer career and skills training in the culinary arts to two underserved populations ------struggling veterans and the blind or visually impaired.
Our veterans program offers classroom cooking instruction and on-the-job training. Culinary scholarships are available to the New England Culinary Arts (NECAT) (https://www.ne-cat.org) to help further prepare participants for new careers in the culinary arts.
Our program for the blind or visually impaired consists of an eight (8) session skills course designed to train participants to successfully prepare and cook food while building their confidence and self-sufficiency. A second ten (10) session follow-up course will also be offered that teaches techniques in grilling, sautéing, frying, braising, etc.
Our veterans program offers classroom cooking instruction and on-the-job training. Culinary scholarships are available to the New England Culinary Arts (NECAT) (https://www.ne-cat.org) to help further prepare participants for new careers in the culinary arts.
Our program for the blind or visually impaired consists of an eight (8) session skills course designed to train participants to successfully prepare and cook food while building their confidence and self-sufficiency. A second ten (10) session follow-up course will also be offered that teaches techniques in grilling, sautéing, frying, braising, etc.
Founders
Chefs Table Foundation (CTF) was created by co-founders Joe Murphy and Carol O’Connor. The initial goal was to produce a high-quality instructional TV cooking show on public access television, dedicating its energy to encouraging the home cook to reinstate the family meal. More recently, CTF has focused on culinary education and skills training for veterans and the visually impaired.
joe murphy- co-founder
Joe grew up in the Mission Hill section of Boston and later moved to West Roxbury. As a successful businessman, Joe owned a series of small companies and also managed a food sales and marketing business in Easton, MA. Throughout his business career Joe always knew, however, that his first love was cooking.
In the fall of 2001, Joe became gravely ill with a rare virus in his brain. Treatment required chemotherapy every three weeks for one year. The disease left him legally disabled. Faced with a new set of personal and professional limitations, he decided to follow his passion for cooking and enrolled in the culinary program at Boston University. He earned a certificate in culinary arts and then attended the French Culinary Institute in New York City where he earned a certificate in culinary arts, specializing in Artisan Bread Baking. After completing his education, Joe bought a large retail and wholesale bakery company. After five years, he sold the business. He still, however, was not quite ready for retirement.
Along with Carol O’Connor, he formed a 501-C3 non-profit company with Carol Ann O’Connor. They named it Chefs Table Foundation (CTF). Joe adopted the training from the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind to be used by CTF.
In the fall of 2001, Joe became gravely ill with a rare virus in his brain. Treatment required chemotherapy every three weeks for one year. The disease left him legally disabled. Faced with a new set of personal and professional limitations, he decided to follow his passion for cooking and enrolled in the culinary program at Boston University. He earned a certificate in culinary arts and then attended the French Culinary Institute in New York City where he earned a certificate in culinary arts, specializing in Artisan Bread Baking. After completing his education, Joe bought a large retail and wholesale bakery company. After five years, he sold the business. He still, however, was not quite ready for retirement.
Along with Carol O’Connor, he formed a 501-C3 non-profit company with Carol Ann O’Connor. They named it Chefs Table Foundation (CTF). Joe adopted the training from the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind to be used by CTF.
Carol a. o'connor- co-founder
Carol earned an undergraduate degree in history and a graduate degree in education, both from Boston College. Carol co-hosted the instructional and social cooking TV show, The Chefs’ Table Series® which aired in over 80 towns/cities in Massachusetts. Carol has planned and managed a number of CTF fundraisers: Taste of Legacy Place Under the Stars for The Italian Home for Children in 2012, Taste Dedham in 2011 to the present for The Dedham Rotary Club, Midsummer Night’s Fashion & Culinary in July 2015 and July 2016; Oktober Fall Festival in October 2014 and 2015; Fashionista & Foodie Fair in April 2016. Country Hoedown Fest in September 2016.
Carol also founded COPilates, a core optimal personal training company. She is a certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, Pilates & Barre Instructor – teaching fitness classes in the greater Boston area, and training people.
Carol also founded COPilates, a core optimal personal training company. She is a certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, Pilates & Barre Instructor – teaching fitness classes in the greater Boston area, and training people.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MICHAEL FITZGERALD – MIT ENDICOTT HOUSE
Mike is currently general manager of the MIT Endicott House Conference Center and has over 38 years of hospitality management experience. Mike has led the revenue and capital growth efforts at Endicott House for the past 20 years where he created ambitious sustainability initiatives including reaching over 60% renewable energy resources, built a composting system that reduced waste by 85%, electrolyzed water cleaning systems and a greenhouse providing direct farm-to-table offerings. The green initiatives at Endicott House have been honored with the International Association of Conference Centers Green Star award. Mike has also overseen hotels, resorts, and conference centers in New York, Connecticut, Illinois, and Massachusetts. His focus has been on effectively managing project budgets to improve sustainability as well as a profitable bottom line.
PAULA BERGQUIST
Paula has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years. As a former sales director for several hotels and resorts in New England, she brings a successful leadership track record, business savvy, compassion, and determined candor to all she does. She has worked with professionals at all levels as a sales and marketing executive with Conference Center Consulting Group specializing in consulting work in revenue improvement through sales training and marketing. Paula has helped clients recognize their unique talent and position as successful professionals and team players. A graduate of Bay Path College, Paula holds a membership in the International Association of Conference Centers and several hospitality organizations in Boston and the northeast.
FRED ZAGAMI
Fred is the owner/operator of the Salem Food Mart in Dedham, MA. Fred is also a partner in Hamilton Restaurant & Bar in Brookline, MA. Fred has generously lent his expertise to Chefs Table Foundation for years through counseling, fundraising, and giving of his time. Fred is a graduate of Boston Latin School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Framingham State University.
Sengil Nganda Inkiala (Inky)
Sengil Nganda Inkiala, known as Inky, was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa. He came to Boston for medical assistance to restore his vision but was declared totally blind in 1974 at the age of 16.
After rehabilitation at the Carroll Center for the Blind, Inky attended high school at St. Sebastian High School in Needham, graduating in 1978. He attended Amherst College and received a BA in political science in 1982. Inky went on to complete an MA in Special Education/Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually impaired from Boston College and also received an MA in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling at Assumption College.
For 37 years, Inky has been involved in helping the visually impaired. He currently works at the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind as Vocational Rehabilitation & Children’s Services Supervisor.
After rehabilitation at the Carroll Center for the Blind, Inky attended high school at St. Sebastian High School in Needham, graduating in 1978. He attended Amherst College and received a BA in political science in 1982. Inky went on to complete an MA in Special Education/Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually impaired from Boston College and also received an MA in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling at Assumption College.
For 37 years, Inky has been involved in helping the visually impaired. He currently works at the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind as Vocational Rehabilitation & Children’s Services Supervisor.