Igniting Minds

Our 5th–8th graders teamed up with Bill Kim from Urbanbelly to learn about Korean culture while making dumplings from scratch. The kitchen was full of curiosity, collaboration, and a few new cooking skills along the way!

Moments like this remind us that food isn’t just about what’s on the plate, rather it’s about connection. When students cook and learn together, they build confidence, deepen their understanding of different cultures, and create meaningful relationships that last beyond the kitchen.

As we wrap up Restaurant Week across the country, we celebrate a global tradition that encourages people to explore new food cultures and cuisines. From city to city, Restaurant Week highlights the unique flavors and culinary identities that make each location special. Our Igniting Minds students embraced this opportunity to expand their cultural horizons through food, and one exciting stop on this journey was Philadelphia.

In Philly, one of our students sampled a wide range of international cuisines, including flavorful Indian dishes at Sura Bistro, bold Pan-Asian fusion at Buddakan, fresh Japanese specialties at Maki Restaurant, authentic Thai cuisine at Dara Thai, and rich Yemeni flavors at Haraz Coffee House. Each restaurant offered a distinct experience, giving students the chance to learn about different cooking styles, ingredients, and cultural traditions.

Students visited HMart, a supermarket chain founded by a South Korean immigrant that has grown into a beloved destination for Korean and Asian cuisine. During the visit, students explored a wide variety of authentic Korean and pan-Asian groceries, from fresh produce and seafood to specialty snacks, sauces, and ready-made meals. The experience offered insight into the cultural significance of food, the role of immigrant entrepreneurship, and how global culinary traditions are preserved and shared within local communities.

This past week, our students visited Cabra, a vibrant Peruvian restaurant located in the heart of Chicago’s Fulton Market District. Peruvian cuisine beautifully blends influences from Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, and Indigenous traditions, creating a rich and dynamic culinary experience. Served family-style, students had the opportunity to sample a wide array of dishes, including ceviche, empanadas, tuna tataki, and more. We are especially grateful to the incredible staff, who shared the history and cultural significance behind each dish, making the experience both delicious and deeply educational.

Today, our Igniting Minds college students enjoyed an immersive experience with Korean barbecue and hotpot, staples of Korean culinary culture. Through this hands-on meal, students cooked a variety of foods at their own pace while gaining a deeper appreciation for the care, technique, and communal preparation that make these dishes so meaningful.

Igniting Minds is raising funds to feed 200 kids facing food insecurity, and every share or donation truly helps. If you’re able, please share this link with your network or donate whatever feels right:
👉 https://donorbox.org/meals-that-matter-give-students-what-they-need-to-learn

Here are some important SAT dates and deadlines for the 2025-2026 school year. **Note: all deadlines are at 11:59 pm ET, U.S** For more information please visit College Board’s website. Stay tuned for more information!

With school starting soon, scholarship deadlines are approaching quickly! Stay tuned for more updates about deadlines, scholarships, and more opportunities for students this school year!

Throwback to an amazing farmers market at Chicago Jesuit Academy and Ray Elementary! 🌽🍅
In May, we brought together creativity, culture, and community through food. From designing colorful signage to cooking alongside us at the market, students helped serve up flavorful, culturally familiar dishes like arepas, sparking conversations and pride in their heritage.
It was more than just a market, it was a celebration of identity, creativity, and community!

In May, IMC hosted a series of engaging classroom and community events that blended creativity, culture, and cooking with students from Chicago Jesuit Academy and Ray Elementary School. Inside the classroom, students participated in a classroom drawing activity where they explored food themes and prepared for an upcoming farmers market by designing signage and displays.
Later, we brought the experience outdoors with a hands-on cooking session during the farmers market event. Using a variety of ingredients, students helped prepare and share flavorful dishes such as Arepas that reflected their heritage and connected with their local communities.
These events offered a meaningful opportunity to combine food education, cultural expression, and community engagement.

Our intergenerational cooking event brought together youth and elders to share cherished recipes, cultural traditions, and personal stories. Through this gathering, we celebrated heritage, fostered meaningful connections, and created lasting memories across generations.