Kindred in the Classroom: some recent work in NYC public schools

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Kindred Bakery BK partnered with P.S. 146 Ann M. Short, an East Harlem public elementary school, to deliver a five-week, once-weekly hands-on baking program. Because the school did not have a dedicated culinary facility, Kindred transformed a traditional classroom into a temporary teaching kitchen. We proved our experiential learning model is as adaptable as it is effective.

One of the most significant outcomes was observed by the school’s teachers. They pointed to a student who had shown little interest in joining in activities throughout his school career. During Kindred’s baking program, however, we saw him exuberant and enthusiastically engaged. Baking brought him out of his shell as he became immersed in the work, and the pleasures of tasting it afterward.

This student wrote a heartfelt letter about the ways in which baking brightened his day and thanked Kindred for helping him “master a life skill."

“Programs like yours are special,” wrote his teacher. “Thank you for being so kind, caring, thoughtful, and intentional with the way you taught our students.” For the Kindred team, testaments like these make the work worth doing.

The pilot was also significant for our team as a proof point for Kindred’s approach: meaningful engagement can emerge when young people are given different ways and environments in which to learn. It also demonstrated that Kindred’s model can be brought directly into schools—even those without existing culinary classrooms—by adapting ordinary educational spaces for hands-on instruction.

Above are some images from our time with the wonderful students and educators we baked with.