Cooks Who Care

We are dedicated to supporting the health & well-being of people working in the Food & Beverage Industries.

The CWC Fund is a program of The Community’s Foundation. The Community’s Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization.

09/02/2025

☀️Shift workers, night owls, and over-timers - this one’s for you.

Missing out on sunlight can mess with your mood. But you don’t need hours in the park to get the benefits. Try these “sun hacks” starting tomorrow:

🌞 Sun shot, not sun bath — 5 minutes outside is better than none. Think of it like an espresso shot for your brain.
🚶‍♀️ Commute detour — park a little further, walk a block, or just stand on the corner and vibe.
🥗 Lunch al fresco-ish — even if it’s just sitting on a stoop with your sandwich, your body counts it.
🪟 Window upgrade — stake out that sunny spot like it’s your new corner office.
💡 Fake it ‘til you make it — grab a light therapy lamp for those midnight or winter shifts.

Easy, doable, and your mood will thank you.
Catch your rays where you can - tomorrow’s the perfect day to start. ✨

08/26/2025

STRONGER INDUSTRY. STRONGER YOU. 💪
In this business, the hustle is real — long days, late nights, and the unspoken pressure to “power through” no matter what. But here’s the truth: burnout isn’t a badge of honor.

That’s why we’re proud to stand with Humane Kitchen and the 86 Challenge — the first-ever wellbeing challenge built for hospitality, by hospitality. It’s not about perfection; it’s about showing up for yourself and your team with small, consistent habits that create real change.

The challenge runs for 27, 54, or 86 days and focuses on 7 essential habits:
✨ Digital Diet
✨ 86 Alcohol & Substances
✨ 20 Minutes of Mindful Eating
✨ Daily Journaling
✨ 35-Minute Workouts
✨ Learn Something New
✨ 15 Minutes of Meditation

You’ll track your journey with a weekly progress photo and keep the focus on consistency, not pressure.

We’re supporting this challenge because we believe in a stronger, healthier industry — and that starts with each of us. Whether you’re clocking in FOH or BOH, this is your sign to put your wellbeing on the line-up.

📅 Join the 86 Challenge. Show up for yourself. Strengthen our industry.

📸 from

08/11/2025

Hey friends! It’s been a minute.

We’re just popping in with a reminder that summertime sadness is real & if you’re feeling it now, when it seems like everyone is out having fun, you are not alone.

S.A.D. (aka Seasonal Affective Disorder) isn’t just a winter thing - depression rooted in seasonal changes happens in the summer too.
Why? There are lots of reasons, including:

🥵 Heat & humidity can cause dehydration & put extra stress our bodies
☀️ Longer days change our circadian rhythms & make it harder to sleep
🗓️ Seasonal changes in daily schedules, like different work hours or increased childcare needs
🏖️ Societal pressures to get a “summer body” or plan the perfect vacation, which may feel out of reach for many of us

If you’ve ever found yourself struggling with summertime sadness, whatever the reason, here are a few small steps that can help:

💧 Focus on staying hydrated
🛌 Stick to a schedule and get plenty of sleep
🧳 Take a break when you can - whether it’s a staycation, a day trip, a quick vacay or simply a day at home to soak up the AC - any little bit can be a much needed recharge.

And (maybe hardest of all) - try not to compare your situation to others. What you see on social media & hear people talking about is like the highlight reel, not the full story of anyone’s life. Celebrate the good in yours, and block out the pressure to keep up!

We see you. You are not alone. Help is available.

If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, 988 is the National Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, with help available 24/7.

05/27/2025

Today, we remember and give thanks to those who have served our country. We also want to acknowledge the fact that veterans face their own unique mental health challenges, including PTSD & Traumatic Brain Injury, along with increased instances of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation, often occurring for years afer they re-enter civilian life.

To our veterans: we see you, we thank you and we support you.

For veterans who are struggling with their mental health, the Veterans Crisis Line is Available 24/7 by dialing 988 then pressing 1, texting 838255, or calling 711 then 988.
In the Philadelphia area:

NAMI Philly () offers support for veterans & their families, including a 24/7 Crisis Line → 1-800-273-8255.

Healthy Minds Philly () has a full list of local mental health resources for veterans & their families on their website: https://healthymindsphilly.org/veteran-resources/

Hispanic Community Counseling Services () helps veterans who are experiencing mental health challenges, as well as unemployment, legal issues and even homelessness, with two offices in Philadelphia.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. You are not alone. There is a community that stands ready to support you.

05/18/2025

“I’m fine.”

We say it more than we realize.

We say it after our parent gets out of the hospital and we clock back into work like nothing happened.

We say it after a medical scare, a lingering injury, or a week that shook us to our core.
We say it in passing, because it’s faster than telling the truth.

But “I’m fine” often holds more than those two words reveal. It carries the stress we can’t afford to show. The grief we haven’t had time to process. The burnout we push past because we feel like we have to.

At Cooks Who Care, we’ve learned to pause when someone says “I’m fine.”
Not to call it out—but to call them in.
To make space for everything unspoken.
Because there’s a lot of life between those two words.

You’re not alone. And you don’t have to carry it all.

Keep on walking—together.

⸻

05/11/2025

For the ones Mother’s Day misses …

Not every Mother’s Day is filled with flowers and joy. For many, this weekend brings grief, longing, or quiet ache. If that’s you, we see you.

You may be …
💟 Grieving the loss of your mother
💟 Missing a mother who was never emotionally present
💟 Navigating estrangement or complicated love
💟 Carrying the heartbreak of miscarriage or infertility
💟 Remembering a child you never got to hold
💟 Showing up for others while wishing someone would care for you

Today, we want to remind you …
🌸 Your story matters.
🌸 Your grief is real.
🌸 You’re allowed to feel joy, pain, nothing at all — or all of it at once.
🌸 Whatever this day brings, you don’t have to hold it alone.
🌸 You are not forgotten.
🌸 You are not invisible.

For everyone who is quietly carrying the weight of motherhood, memory, or loss. We’re holding space for you this Mother’s Day. Because we care.

05/10/2025

Have you ever wondered if you’re experiencing burnout? Maybe you’ve ignored the signs, thinking that pushing through is part of the job? It isn’t.

Part of caring for yourself is taking the time to tune in to your mental & physical health. Use this checklist to check in with yourself — before, during, or after your shift.

✅ Burnout Checklist for Hospitality Workers

➡️ Physical Signs

• I’m always tired, even after sleep
• I feel physically drained by the end of most shifts
• I’m experiencing more headaches, body aches, or stomach issues
• I rely on caffeine, sugar, or alcohol just to keep going

➡️ Emotional & Mental Signs

• I feel irritable, anxious, or emotionally numb most days
• I’m less patient with co-workers or guests
• I feel like I’m always “on edge”
• I’ve lost motivation or joy in doing the work I used to love
• I find it hard to concentrate or stay present

➡️ Behavioral Signs

• I dread going into work (even on days off)
• I’m canceling plans or isolating more
• I’ve had thoughts of quitting with no backup plan
• I’m more forgetful or making uncharacteristic mistakes
• I feel like I’m just going through the motions

➡️ Relationship Check

• I feel disconnected from friends or family
• I don’t talk about how I’m really feeling — even with people I trust
• I feel like no one understands what I’m going through

🚨 If you checked off 5 or more … You may be experiencing early signs of burnout.

📍 That doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means your body is asking for help.

🔁 What to Do Next (optional action section)

• Tell someone how you’re feeling
• Take a day to rest (really rest)
• Set a boundary (like saying no to a shift or tech detox)
• Use a support app (like Headspace or Insight Timer)
• Text HELLO to 741741 if you need 24/7 free support

05/06/2025

🧠 Fact: Hospitality workers experience more mental health challenges than any other industry. (!!!)

Why? Long hours. Low margins. High stakes. No time to breathe.

💬 62% say they feel burned out.
💬 1 in 5 struggles with substance use.
💬 71% don’t feel safe talking about it at work.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re flipping the script:
>>> It Starts with Care.

Care for yourself → You are human. You matter. You are not alone.

Follow Cooks Who Care for for Mental Health resources specific to the Service & Hospitality Industries.

05/03/2025

🍽️ In hospitality, you’re trained to push through — no matter how long the shift, how rough the day, or how empty your tank feels.
But pushing through isn’t the same as being okay.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re spotlighting tools for food & beverage pros like you — because It Starts with Care:

💚 Need a breather?
Try Insight Timer or Headspace for quick, free meditations.

💬 Need to talk to someone right now?
Text HELLO to 741741 (free, 24/7 support)
Call or text 988

🧰 Need something to help you manage stress, burnout, or drinking habits?
Moodfit tracks your mental wellness
Reframe or Sober Grid help with healthier routines

🫱🏽‍🫲🏾 Need someone who gets it?
offers support for industry workers
offers an app to check in and find resources
has peer groups for F&B workers in recovery
stands with you through it all
You give so much to others.

This month, give some back to yourself.

05/01/2025

You care for every item in your hands. Every guest. Every shift.

But this May — it starts with care for you.

Before the first order or booking is called.
Before your apron’s tied.
Before you pour yourself into another day of service…

Pause. Breathe. Remember:
Your well-being isn’t a luxury — it’s the foundation for everything you do.

Your mind. Your heart. Your story.
They matter just as much as your craft you care so deeply about.

All month long, Cooks Who Care is standing with every food and beverage professional who shows up — reminding you:

Care for you. Care for others. Care for the path you’re on. Push through in *healthy ways. The options are out there - you just have to choose them.

You are more than your last shift or event. You are human. And you are never alone.

03/20/2025

This Thursday (March 20) CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia () is hosting Thursday Night Social - an Industry Appreciation Happy Hour and we want to see you there!

When: 5pm - 8pm Thurs. March 20

Where: 1315 Walnut St. Suite 300

What: Classic cocktails + N/A options, funky music, art exhibit featuring visual art by service industry workers in a comfy space, perfect for building connections with peers!

This event is designed to celebrate the incredible service industry workers of Philadelphia … that’s you!! We’ll be there (with )! You should join us!

RSVP at the link in our stories.

02/11/2025

Know your rights! Small Business Employers & Employees → A resource from The Philadelphia Department of Commerce regarding increased federal immigration enforcement. Find links to Know Your Rights Documents in English & Spanish, along with contact info for Free or Low Cost Legal Aid Providers in the Philadelphia area. Full document at the link in our bio.

¡Conozca sus derechos! Propietarios y empleados de pequeñas empresas → Un recurso del Departamento de Comercio de Filadelfia sobre el aumento de la aplicación de las leyes federales de inmigración, con enlaces a documentos “Conozca sus derechos” en inglés y español. Hay información de contacto para proveedores de asistencia jurídica gratuita y de bajo costo en el área de Filadelfia. Documento completo en el enlace de nuestra bio.

Thanks to our friends at Greenline Access Capital for sharing this info! ¡Gracias a nuestras amigas en Greenline Access Capital por compartir esta información!

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Philadelphia, PA

Telephone

+12672772090

Website

http://www.cookswhocare.org/

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Who We Are

written by Rachael Viscidy (CWC Founding Collaborator)

Cooks Who Care is a supportive network for forward-thinking culinary leaders starting here in Philly. A peer group of food professionals and co-hosts connect with each other, with themselves, and with the communities they interact with. Community members find that their voices are lifted and their experiences all matter. Engaged food industry members connect with causes, wellbeing hangouts, and mentor-led learning sessions. With Chef Campbell as its helm, Cooks Who Care inspires a new vision for a powerful, transforming industry: an industry that breaks out of the kitchen and into a new precedent. Chefs Campbell, Scott Campbell, Igor Skuratovsky and the Cooks Who Care team, Chad Durkin & Julie Kaufman-Strong see a future in which the power of food is translated into a meeting place for community-minded peers.