Scholarship and Stipend Recipients

Since 2003 the Austin chapter has given over $300,000 in scholarships and culinary stipends. In 2024, the Austin chapter awarded over $40,000 in scholarships, professional development stipends and grants to 18 women who used the funds for a wide range of opportunities such as being a vendor at the Specialty Coffee Expo, attending Black Women in Food conference, Beekeeping Certification, continuing wine education with WSET studies, and more.

2024 Scholarship Recipients

Corinne Ramirez - Michelle Lee Legacy Scholarship (2024)

My name is Corrine Ramirez, a Central Texas native and a recent graduate from Southwestern University with a dual degree in Latin American Studies and Anthropology. My undergraduate studies guided my current drive for understanding the socio-political impact of food. I am passionate about growing food and constantly seek out opportunities to engage and learn. My drive for new experiences has encouraged me to explore professions and niche interests that are not often highlighted as traditional careers due to others underestimating their importance and community impact. I currently work as a full time farmer, and wash-pack manager at Steelbow Farms. My time at Steelbow greatly influences my short term and long term career goals as it informs my relationship to food and community. When I am not working on the farm I enjoy all things creative, focusing on fabric / woven arts, and ceramics.

Caitlin Cash - Beverage (2024)

Hi y'all! I'm Caitlin, a true Austinite through and through. I'm incredibly proud to be from this amazing city and to be embarking on a new adventure in the food and beverage space. I'm an avid off-road cyclist, lover of all things food and beverage, and collector of antique tea cups. I'm all about building community and helping lift other women up, whether that is through supporting their projects directly or being the best cheerleader I can be. Our mission at Kinship is connection through common ground, and I try to live that every single day. A rising tide lifts all boats, and I can't wait to lean in to this industry even more!

Anna Hipps - Beverage (2024)

I have a strong passion for community and connection! Some of my favorite things include hosting themed parties, creating the perfect cheeseboard, and gathering around the bonfire with my favorite friends, sipping a glass of Pinot. I believe that every moment is a gift, so why not make the most of it? After graduating with a degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Miami University, I took the leap and moved to Austin! I've had the amazing opportunity to help start up a non-profit coffee company, work with SXSW, manage the events program at Antonelli's, and transition into the world of recruiting. All these experiences have taught me valuable lessons and allowed me to meet some amazing people. I've learned that authenticity and hard work paired with passion are the keys to achieving amazing things.

Elena Korsun - Beverage (2024)

Hello there, I'm Elena Korsun, hailing from Ufa, Russia. My journey led me to the USA in 2003 after earning my English degree, and I've called Texas home since 2016, having explored the beauty of East Coast from Key West, FL, to New York City, where my daughter was born. As a single parent, I cherish the simple joys shared with my now 8 year old and our cat. Shifting from the restaurant industry to wine distribution, I've crafted a schedule that fits the demands of single parenthood. My story is one of adaptability and determination, reflecting my commitment to creating a balanced and fulfilling life.

Adara Ostdiek - Beverage (2023)

I moved to Austin in 2016 at the age of 19 with hopes of pursuing a music career. Soon I formed a band and started playing at venues in Austin. In addition to playing music I always held positions in the service industry and at times viewed it as a "side gig". After working my way into the corporate world of restaurants at True Food Kitchen at the age of 21 and becoming a general manager of Picnik at the age of 24 I started to realize Hospitality and the communities around the industry was something I had a passion for. Starting my own business seemed so out of reach, but when the world shut down in 2020 like a lot of people, I set caution to the wind and decided to embark on my own endeavor. Then in 2021 I decided to make my Vision a reality.

Lynn Metcalf - Beverage (2024)

Lynn Metcalf is the chef and co-owner of Lynny’s, a family-owned food trailer located in Austin. A Texas-born, third-generation restaurateur, Metcalf has worked in the Austin service industry for 25 years. Metcalf started her career as a diner waitress at Magnolia Cafe, before working at Bouldin Creek Café, where she grew her recipe development and barista skills. Metcalf then pivoted to working at Stubb’s BBQ, where she was promoted from head waitress to General Manager of a Stubb’s satellite location, which later became Metcalf BBQ, where she served as Chief Operations Officer overseeing 3 locations. Now, with Lynny’s, Metcalf honors the legacy of the American diner through home-cooked food, delicious coffee, and community. Metcalf has created a menu for Lynny’s that is familiar with some fun surprises, from fresh biscuits with all the fixin’s to toaster pancakes, plus dark roast percolator coffee from her parent’s ranch in Nayarit, Mexico.

Ashley Ugarte - Culinary Professional (2024)

Born and raised between borders, from Laredo, Texas to my mother's childhood home in Mexico, I grew up inspired by the matriarchs who raised me and curious of my family's origins.This curiosity led me on a culinary journey, from cooking on the line to founding my company, Hijita, a small-batch Mexican chocolatería rooted in ancestral wisdom. Through Hijita, I channel the richness of my Mexican roots into each step of the chocolate-making process, infusing my chocolate with ingredients and flavors from Mexico's diverse culinary landscape.

Cecelia Loessin - Culinary Professional (2024)

Cecelia Loessin aka Cece Moon is the founder and co-owner of Zucchini Kill Bakery, Austin's premier vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, all natural bakery that specializes in nostalgic takes on classic southern baked goods and custom cakes! She got her start in vegan baking at the age of 21, in 2008, at Green Vegetarian Cuisine in her hometown of San Antonio, and worked as a baker and line cook until moving to Austin in 2013. She opened Zucchini Kill with her best friend and bandmate, Jessica Freda, in 2017 in a tiny little shop at a vegan food park in central Austin. She self-published her first cookbook, "Volume Up! Oven On!", in 2023, and currently manages 2 Zucchini Kill retail space with an all-femme and non-binary staff of 12 bakers that all share the same love for music, food, and friendship.

Mae Hardebeck - Culinary Professional (2024)

Libby Goldman and Mae Hardebeck are the co-founders of Pickle Envy, a small-batch fermentation business in Austin. Libby is self-taught in home fermentation through experimentation, spending years making pickles, krauts, kimchis, and other veggie projects for friends and family while working 9-5 at a Central Texas education access nonprofit. Previous to Pickle Envy, Mae was serving at a restaurant and working towards a CMS Level 2 certification. In early 2023, the pair quit their jobs and took the plunge to go into the fermentation business, together and on their own terms. Fast forward to now, they sell their organic & locally-sourced, probiotic, old-world style pickles weekly at two farmers markets and pop ups around town. Now, their goal is to create wholesale accounts with Austin restaurants and retail stores. Pickle Envy is here to serve the best pickles in Austin; let's improve Austin’s gut biome one pickle at a time!

Ally Smith - Culinary Professional (2024)

Hi, I'm Ally. I am extremely passionate about child welfare and the culinary arts. I am currently serving as the Director for Partnerships for Children, as well as creating the philanthropic initiative “Seasoned to Smile”. My culinary journey spans various experiences including working at a catering company in Boulder, Colorado and working closely with chefs in Austin, Texas, New York, and Tampa, Florida. As a short-term foster provider, foster care advocate and cooking instructor for 200+ children in Austin. I believe in the power of community. I love to bring people together through intimate dinners and events, and believe my success stems from my culinary expertise, people skills, and genuine desire to make a positive impact by creating a space where others can learn to give back to the Austin community and beyond.

Cyn Danielson - Culinary Professional (2024)

Cyn Danielson, works at Two Hives Honey in Manor, TX. A beekeeper’s main goal is to help the honey bee and all native bees to survive and thrive, so that humans can benefit from bees' work as pollinators and harvest their honey. A beekeeper achieves this goal by checking hives on a regular basis and assisting with any of the hive’s needs. To become a beekeeper can be easy and fun. The first thing one must have to be a good beekeeper is a love of bees. Being a beekeeper had been a dream of Cyn’s from a very young age. Cyn says “I believe being a beekeeper is not only fun, but is being a good steward to the earth. When bees thrive and survive, we all thrive and survive….and the cherry on top is getting sweet delicious honey!”

Amber Garcia - Culinary Professional (2024)

My name is Amber Garcia and I am the owner of Blue Goo Bakery. I specialize in detailed custom royal icing cookies for all events and occasions. I started making cookies in early 2020 as a way to pass the time and it has turned into a growing business!

Christy Saint Juste - Student (2024)

I’m a student at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Austin Texas. I've been working in this industry since I was 15 years old bussing tables and washing dishes. Later in my career I became a barista, so I found myself in coffee shops trying to deconstruct and investigate what makes the perfect cup of coffee. I began to study coffee, dairy and dairy alternatives, sugars, and eventually began to seek an intimate understanding of all farmed ingredients. Thats when I decided to go to Culinary School. In Haiti being the girl of the home meant you had to be the one to cook, and be hospitable to everyone around you. Growing up in a Haitian household, this responsibility was one that brought me closer to my loved ones and I found myself wanting to make people happy this way, all the time!

Mukuana Salomon - Student (2024)

In 2020 I decided to hit the reset button on my life. I began this fresh start by moving from Worcester, Ma to Austin, Tx. A week after my move to Austin the city entered lockdown due to the pandemic. During that time I discovered my passion for cooking and baking. I began to immerse myself in all things culinary. I would often tap into my Caribbean heritage for inspiration and began a fusion of cultural meals. I began to consider what I ate and become interested in wellness and healthy living. My passion ultimately led me to enroll in Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. I completed my Culinary Arts Associates Degree and decided to return for my Pastry and Baking Arts Associates Degree which I am currently enrolled in. I firmly believe that there is never too much knowledge and growth is built by daily habits.

Tracey Watson - Travel (2024)

I am a passionate hospitality professional looking to gain knowledge and experience within both culinary arts and hospitality at large. My goal is to become a leader within the hospitality industry by pushing myself to my personal best, while also inspiring others to do the same. I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America with my Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts in 2010. After entering the workforce, I decided to continue my education at Hilton College at The University of Houston. I have been working in Texas restaurant kitchens for the past 10 years. I have learned so much in each restaurant I have worked in. As I work in restaurants, I am now continuing to study restaurants at a macro level. I’m interested in cooking, teamwork, restaurants with strong vision, and restaurants that are interested in building strong communities.

Christine Doyle - Travel (2024)

Chef, NBC-HWC and wellness professional with experience in Culinary Arts, Health and Wellness, and Plant-based nutrition. I am a professionally trained Chef, National Board-certified Health Coach, and expert in Plant-based Nutrition, Wellness, Behaviour Change, and Culinary Arts. Currently I am self-employed as a Personal Chef in Austin, Texas. I have served as Chef’s assistant for Chef Chad Sarno at various culinary events, including Wicked Kitchen Supper Clubs (Austin, TX), Culinary Chef’s Training at Chateau Elan (Atlanta, GA), and Whole Foods Market’s Salud! Events and classes. I acted as Personal Chef/Consultant for professional athlete Tennessee Titans football player for the 2013 season. Currently I create personal meal plans, develop recipes, and execute quality culinary menus for clients with dietary restrictions and allergies. I have worked for Whole Foods Market for over 12 years, most recently educating team members on the benefits of Lifestyle Medicine and Plant-based Nutrition.

Evangeline Bundi - Culinary Professional (2024)

I am a passionate culinary entrepreneur dedicated to sharing the amazing flavors and rich cultural heritage of my home country, Kenya and Africa with the world. With a background in Business administration and hospitality management, a passion for the culinary arts and heart of service, I founded Kibanda with the vision of creating a culinary sanctuary where people can experience the warmth and hospitality of African cuisine. My journey is driven by a desire to foster cross-cultural understanding and promote social change through food. Outside of my professional pursuits, I am actively involved in community initiatives aimed at empowering women and advocating for social justice. Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about this opportunity and what it will mean for the Kibanda!