Combining her training as a speech pathologist and professional chef with her experience as a mother and passion for working with kids, Chef Monica launched Tasteful Manners in 2009 to teach students and parents about healthy cooking and nutrition at schools across Chicago. To date, the organization has served more than 5,000 students and their families at 15 public schools on Chicago’s South and West sides.

Launched in 2009 by Chef Monica Hayes, Tasteful Manners NFP is a cooking, nutrition and etiquette education company based in Chicago. Its mission is to bring families together and improve health by teaching children and parents how to create great-tasting, easy and nutritious meals at home. Led by Chef Monica, the Tasteful Manners team of professional chefs have delivered weekly cooking and nutrition lessons to more than 5,000 students and parents at 15 public schools in Chicago. In addition to her work with Tasteful Manners, Chef Monica also serves as a mentor and coach to high school culinary students participating in “Cooking Up Change”, a national healthy school lunch contest sponsored by Chicago-based Healthy Schools Campaign. She is a graduate of Jackson State University and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.

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