In a commercial kitchen in Frayser, a group of Memphians are learning far more than how to cook — they’re being equipped with tools to change their lives.
The Sow Project, a free culinary training initiative founded by local chef and restaurateur Ben Vaughn, is creating new pathways to employment for unemployed and underemployed individuals across the city. Housed at Girls Inc. of Memphis’ Frayser campus, the program blends hands-on kitchen experience with mentorship, financial literacy, and job placement support — all at no cost to participants.
Since launching in 2022, The Sow Project has trained more than 70 students, many of whom had never worked in a kitchen or held a steady job before. Now, graduates are earning up to $18 an hour in kitchens across the city, from catering companies to fine dining restaurants.
“This is about more than just food,” said Vaughn. “We’re helping people rediscover what they’re capable of.”
Vaughn, a veteran of the culinary world with decades of experience opening restaurants and writing cookbooks, started the program after overcoming personal struggles, including addiction. He began by teaching basic cooking skills out of his own kitchen before expanding into community churches. But when Girls Inc. offered him space on their Dellwood Avenue campus — complete with a commercial kitchen, garden, and offices — the program found a permanent home.
“It was a perfect fit,” Vaughn said. “Girls Inc. believed in our mission, and that allowed us to grow.”
Chef Dave Krog, formerly of the East Memphis restaurant Dory, joined the effort as an advisor and mentor, working side-by-side with students to prepare as many as 500 meals a day — often for local nonprofits and community groups.
“For someone new to the industry, producing that volume is a big deal,” Krog said. “But our students rise to it every time. The pride they feel when they finish a service — you can’t teach that. It comes from believing in themselves.”
To celebrate the impact of the program and raise funds for future growth, The Sow Project will host the Sow and Grow Garden Party on Sunday, May 4, at Girls Inc. of Memphis in Frayser. The brunch event will feature a chef-driven menu with contributions from program participants. Proceeds will benefit both The Sow Project and Girls Inc.
“This isn’t just a fundraiser,” Vaughn said. “It’s a celebration of what happens when a city invests in its people.”
Though there are plans to eventually replicate the program in other cities, Vaughn says Memphis will always be home.
“This city gave us a chance to prove that transformation is possible,” he said. “Now, we’re showing the world what Memphis can do.”
