What’s Cookin’?

Have you seen the TV show, Chopped? It’s a food competition show where contestants open a basket of surprise ingredients and compete to make a delicious menu using those items and a basic pantry. It’s a lot like the magic that happens in the RITI kitchen.

Our surprise ingredients come from thoughtful donors, community partners, and volunteers. Each week we’re visited by people like the Resource Redistribution Ministry who brings fresh produce from Costco and other local stores. 

Chef Reva keeps an eye on the Careit App where local stores and restaurants like Cafe Eclectic and Central BBQ post when they have excess food to share. We have regular casserole and meal drop-offs from dedicated volunteers like Grace and Leslie. Lindenwood Christian Church regularly shares a meal and even hosts a monthly birthday party for guests! Clean Memphis has given grant support for items like our industrial food slicer, utility carts, and more!

It’s 4:30AM when Reva walks in and turns on the lights in the RITI kitchen Monday morning. Guests are still fast asleep, and her wheels are turning. She opens the refrigerator to see what new surprises have arrived over the weekend and gets to work, like a Chopped chef, creating a menu to make the most of the bounty. 

Reva says one of her favorite things about working in the kitchen is the ability to be creative with her team. She even keeps a garden right in the RITI backyard! This year’s crops include squash, zucchini, watermelons, cantaloupes, carrots, tomatoes, turnip greens, mustard greens, cucumbers, chilli peppers, mint, basil, and oregano! 

Reva and Linda make up the RITI Food Services team, and they’re frequently joined by guest chefs and volunteers like Dallas Milner. Together, Reva says, they share recipes and ideas that keep the menu fresh, even with leftovers and repeat ingredients.

Occasionally, something on the menu is new to the guests – especially the children – and when so much of your life is in a state of change, there is resistance to one more new thing. Reva meets the guests where they are and treats them as family. When guests arrive, she introduces herself and puts them at ease before sharing the guidelines of the dining room. When they’re hesitant to try something new on their plate, the foundation she’s built in relationship makes it easy for her to ask them to try it. Often they find a new favorite meal, and sometimes she breaks out a backup option, just like with her own family. At RITI our goal is always holy hospitality. Sharing a meal is the perfect place to see it at work. Pull up a chair, and join us at the table!