Jay is an engineer and restaurateur whose work spans technology, mental health, and the culinary world. He recently founded a venture that develops AI tools for therapists and mental health practitioners, reflecting his long standing dedication to supporting those who support others. This commitment along with his undying passion for food and cooking naturally led him to engage with Giving Kitchen’s mission, where he has happily served since 2018.
Jay’s restaurant experience began as a short order cook at a local Atlanta mom-and-pop restaurant. He’s worked odd jobs from event setup to barbacking, fostering his appreciation for food, cooking, and the restaurant community. His fondness for the food service industry eventually brought his career to Toast, where he led engineering teams and continued to develop his understanding of restaurant operations. These experiences opened the door to a partnership at Lucky Star working alongside Giving Kitchen’s own Kirk Gibson. As a National Advisory Council member, Jay leverages his diverse background in technology, mental health advocacy, and food service to help drive the organization’s vision forward and support its mission to empower food service workers.