Chefs

Lysa Grate Community Kitchen Partner

FeedNC

Lysa Grate serves as Community Dining Coordinator at FeedNC, where she develops menus, coordinates meal preparation and service, and helps ensure every guest receives a nutritious meal in a welcoming environment. A graduate of FeedNC’s Workforce Development Program, Lysa’s journey reflects the transformative power of opportunity, mentorship, and hands-on training. Today, she applies her expertise in large-batch cooking, food safety, inventory management, and volunteer coordination to help serve thousands of meals each year while creating a dining experience rooted in dignity and community.

FeedNC creates connections to food, education, and resources as a catalyst for change. Through programs including community dining, food access initiatives, and workforce development training, FeedNC helps individuals build stability and move toward long-term self-sufficiency. Its Culinary Workforce Development Program provides hands-on training, industry certifications, life skills education, and career support, equipping participants with the tools needed to pursue meaningful employment in the food service industry and beyond. Lysa’s story is one example of how investing in people can create lasting impact for individuals, families, and the community as a whole.