Partnering with C.Love Cookie!
We believe that more can be accomplished for the Kingdom through partnerships and collaborations. Lately, this idea has smelled so stinking good!
Katherine of C. Love Cookie Project has been a friend of The Root Cellar for several years. When she came to us with the idea of the Baking Academy, we were excited to put our amazing kitchen in Portland to use! “When God was leading me into this, I felt that He wanted me to collaborate and work with the staff here at The Root Cellar. Other local chefs have joined us and added so much to the experience,” says Katherine.
Our kitchen has been full of women from our neighborhood for the past 5 weeks. They have bene hard at work - baking, learning and laughing together. We are so grateful for the chance to partner with C. Love Cookie Project by hosting the inaugural session of C. Love Baking Academy this summer! This is the next chapter for Katherine Slevin, who started C. Love Cookie in 2017. From it’s start, the mission has always been to give back and support local immigrant women in Portland. C.Love Baking Academy offers women the skills needed to thrive in a professional pastry kitchen, empowering their confidence through new opportunity.
They are in the midst of an 12 week course that has included all the basics of classical baking including pastries, breads and - of course - cookies! The goal of this project is simple - create opportunities for immigrant women in the ever growing food service industry of Portland. “When God was leading me into this, I felt that He wanted me to collaborate and work with the staff here at The Root Cellar. Other local chefs have joined us and added so much to the experience,” says Katherine.
“None of these women knew each other and they come from so many different countries. I wanted to create a welcoming environment for them to not only become confident in the kitchen, but also feel comfortable together. ”
At The Root Cellar, we believe that when we follow Jesus and welcome the immigrant, we discover a double blessing. Although we start out to be the blessing to these precious families, our staff and volunteers often find ourselves blessed by new, beautiful friendships and the incredible stories of faith and struggle. Our community is richer in so many ways when we follow the path of Jesus and welcome the stranger from away.
Katherine has experienced this truth as well. “I have learned so much from them. It’s been the joy of my life,” says Kathrine. “They make it great and my heart is full every day after the class.“
At the end of the summer, 5 women will be trained, empowered and ready to enter the workforce as leaders in the work force. We are so grateful for the chance to partner with Katherine and these incredible women. This is a small taste - albeit a sweet one - of what the Kingdom of God is like. When followers of Jesus graciously partner together, He shows up. We can’t wait to see what these women do next.
This partnership has created some great opportunities for the RC KIDS Summer Day Camp, too! Each week, they have been able to bake in the kitchen with Katherine, learn the basics, expand their knowledge and taste! Check out some of these sweet photos below!
