Jerry Shawn, Angela's Ovens - Recipe for Success

Jerry Shawn, Angela's Ovens

Chef Jerry Shawn started his cooking career about 15 years ago when he was stationed in California. He was in the marines, and while he was off one weekend, he passed by a garage sale and bought a lot of old cook books for about 2 dollars. He learned that he really took to Italian food, mostly pizza, and began working part-time at a local Italian restaurant. He attended weekend courses at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, and found he really did not like cutting carrots and other vegetables in little squares with fancy names. The walls of the institute were made of glass and Chef Shawn spent much of his time in class watching bread bake across the hall. At that point, Jerry knew he wanted to be a bread baker. When his enlistment was up, Chef Shawn was honorably discharged and made his way to Houston. He attended a few classes at HCC and did a lot of free work for some Houston restaurants. He found the adjustment to be difficult, but challenging. Eventually Jerry started his own family bakery in Houston called Angela's Oven, named after his wife, Angela. Angela's Oven sells to many local restaurants and farmers markets and Chef Shawn could not be happier.

2018 Chef of the Year
Kevin Naderi, Roost

Chefs Advisory Board

Beginning in the late 1990's Chef Monica Pope joined in Gracie's efforts to establish a group of concerned chefs who were willing to get involved in a hands on way to teach kids to cook. Twenty-four answered the call and in 2006, we established our Chefs Advisory Board, a working committee with Monica as its Chair. Through the years, more and more chefs have joined our founding members, and today we have over 100 members in Houston and across the country. Monica Pope continues to lead the team as Chair Emeritus.

These busy professionals donate their time month after month, year after year, bringing their unique insight and perspective of food to the children, turning on their taste buds and opening their minds to new foods. It's a Recipe for Success! Would you like to join us? Drop Paris an email and get started today!

The Foundation's Chefs Advisory Board served as inspiration for the White House campaign for Chefs Move to School! Six members of our Chefs Advisory Board joined members of our Board of Directors at the White House in June 2010 for the kick-off of Chefs Move to Schools! where Recipe for Success was featured as a national model and resource. See pictures here. And read about the trip here and here.