Instagram story viewer> @thetrotterproject> Posts

The Trotter Project

@thetrotterproject

5.4K

followers

1239

following

Education, scholarships, resources for your career in the culinary arts, hospitality, and agriculture.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Meet Jazlynn Dunn, one of our 2026 Charlie Trotter Pursuit of Excellence Scholars, and our final scholar highlight of this year!

Jazlynn is attending the College of Coastal Georgia this year, studying culinary arts and hospitality, along with tourism management. Jazlynn has been devoted to honing her culinary skills for the past six years already, and has a dream of owning her own catering business. She was also the head chef of her culinary program's countywide competition this past year.

"I believe cooking is more than a skill and is a way to bring people together and build a sense of community. I love that with all cuisines, we're given the same ingredients to make food, but we all make something different. That just goes to show how creative people are when it comes to cooking."

We just know that you're going to keep being creative with your cooking and bringing people together, Jazlynn. Welcome to The Trotter Project family! ♥️

Stay tuned for early 2027 as we open up our scholarship applications again! by @thetrotterproject

63

5

17 days ago

Nobody hands you a map for the first 90 days of a professional job. 👨‍🍳

School teaches you the craft. The knife skills, the front-desk software, the lab protocols. What it does not teach you is how to walk into a room full of strangers who already work like a team and become one of them.

Our latest Substack post is about exactly that. How to read the unspoken hierarchy in a kitchen, hotel, or production facility. How to ask questions without undermining your own credibility. How to build trust when you are the newest person in the room.

Link in bio to read it. by @thetrotterproject

21

1

23 days ago

Say hello to Aidan Martin, one of our 2026 Farmer Lee Jones scholars! You may recognize Aidan as this is his fourth (!) year receiving a TTP scholarship to finish his dual degrees at Cornell University in agricultural sciences and plant and soil science.

Aidan has been incredible example of what we can do together when The Trotter Project can support a student throughout their college career. What's next for Aidan? Pursuing his Master's and then a PhD in soil and plant ecology.

"My goal is to rethink the way we manage and restore our ecosystems so that both people and the natural world benefit. Receiving this scholarship from The Trotter Project means I can continue my education at Cornell and keep doing the research that makes me want to wake up in the morning."

As our scholarship's namesake Farmer Lee Jones says, how we treat our soil matters so much to the taste and nutrition of the food we grow. And Aidan is the pinnacle of what it means to take this kind of mission forward.

Thank you for being an incredible part of the TTP family, Aidan. You only continue to grow and change how we think about our Earth! ♥️ by @thetrotterproject

8

1

25 days ago

Meet Hailey Portugal, one of our 2026 Homaro Cantu scholars! Hailey is studying hospitality management at Johnson & Wales University this year.

We were so in awe of Hailey's professionalism, creativity, and enthusiasm when she sent in her application! She's gained experience studying culinary arts and hospitality administration while in high school, even developing a restaurant concept and managing the kitchen service for staff luncheons, along with other large events and tasting menus.

"After graduating from Johnson & Wales, I hope to work in hotels, convention centers, or event venues to gain hands-on experience. In 5-10 years, I see myself in a leadership role managing large events and helping foster memorable experiences for all guests."

We certainly will remember and cheer on all the great work you do, Hailey. Welcome to the TTP family! ♥️ by @thetrotterproject

17

1

a month ago

Meet Gabriella Matovu, one of our 2026 Charlie Trotter Pursuit of Excellence scholars! You may recognize Gabriella as this is her second year being a TTP scholar. She continues her education at the Culinary Institute of America, earning her degree in food business management, with a focus in Baking and Pastry Arts.

In addition to her studies this past year, Gabriella continued to hone her creative abilities even further by writing her own children's book! She professionally printed her book and gave it to a few local primary schools. She is also part of the Excellence Program at the CIA, helping conceptualize her dreams of owning her own farm-to-table Michelin-starred restaurant and bakery one day.

"Receiving this scholarship already once means the world to me. I'm so grateful to The Trotter Project for their continued support and trust in me to be an excellent student."

We can't wait to dine at your beautiful concept one day, Gabriella! We couldn't be more proud to have you part of The Trotter Project family. ♥️ by @thetrotterproject

20

3

a month ago

Happy Heavenly Birthday Brother. Love seeing you in thos 'Vinaffair' Chef's jacket. What an event you created! One of the nearly countless ones that shone with your singular vision. @thetrotterproject @chefcharlietrotter by @thetrotterproject

167

3

a month ago

This is what The Trotter Project's mission looks like beyond our scholarship program. 🌱

On August 17, Charlie Trotter Day, we brought the Excellence Luncheon back. A morning harvesting produce at the @yfarmkingston. An afternoon at @restaurantkinsley cooking everything we picked. A long table, a shared meal, and students who left thinking differently about where their careers could take them.

Days like this only happen because of the people who support our work. If you want to help us put on more programming like this, there is a link in our bio to donate or become a paid Substack subscriber, with every dollar going directly back to TTP.

Full story on our Substack. Link in bio. by @thetrotterproject

40

4

a month ago

Meet Cecily Bell, one of our 2026 Farmer Lee Jones scholars! Cecily will be studying Environmental Science with an emphasis in Agriculture this year at Cedarville University.

Cecily's first experience with agriculture was growing produce with a community member for a school project. She also served as team captain for her Enviorothon team, leading them to place in the Top 15 teams in the Pennsylvania state competion.

"After college, I see myself in a career that allows me to balance the needs of the environment with the growth of agriculture. I would like to implement more sustainable agriculture to ensure safety for the environment."

We can't wait to see a future where folks like Cecily are leading the way to sustainable practices with our agricultural systems.

Welcome to The Trotter Project family, Cecily! ♥️ by @thetrotterproject

39

1

2 months ago

This past Monday, August 17, the day Chef Charlie Trotter opened his restaurant in 1987, we brought the Excellence Luncheon back. 🌱

In Kingston, New York, we spent the morning harvesting produce on the @yfarmkingston grounds with their Youth Crew before heading to @restaurantkinsley, where Chef Spencer Coplan guided the students through cooking everything they had just picked.

Crispy fried okra. Farm vegetable ratatouille. A summer salad straight from the field. Strawberry shortcake with sprinkles, because why not.

Around the table we talked about the scholarship program, where food comes from, and where these students are headed. A few of them are already thinking about culinary careers. One wants to pursue baking. Another wants to follow his father into restaurant kitchens.

This is what The Trotter Project looks like beyond the scholarship program. Full story on our Substack. Link in bio.

Photos by: @heflpop by @thetrotterproject

3

2

2 months ago

Meet Aarav Putrevu, one of our 2026 Homoro Cantu scholars! Aarav will be starting his college career at New York University this year, studying hospitality, travel, and tourism management.

We were blown away by Aarav's extracurriculars in hospitality, especially his work as the event founder and project lead of the Director's Cut, an immersive culinary competition for students during which six teams paired curated 10-minute film clips with three-course menus.

"My dream is to build a career where I can make a lasting impact through hospitality by creating experiences that people remember. I hope to continue learning, growing as a leader, and one day mentor others entering the industry."

We'd say you're well on your way towards these goals, Aarav. Welcome to The Trotter Project family! ♥️ by @thetrotterproject

21

3

2 months ago

Yesterday, @restaurantkinsley welcomed students from the @yfarmkingston for a special afternoon in partnership with @thetrotterproject.

Under the instruction and guidance of Chef Spencer Coplan, students took part in the entire farm-to-table experience- harvesting fresh ingredients they grew themselves, washing and preparing them, and coming together to enjoy the meal they helped create.

Food and farming have an incredible way of bringing people together, and yesterday was a perfect example of just that. A day rooted in food, education, community, and the connection between what we grow and what we gather around the table to enjoy.

Here are some highlights 📸 @heflpop taken in Hotel Kinsley by @thetrotterproject

107

4

2 months ago

This Monday, August 17, on what is known as Charlie Trotter Day in honor of the restaurant's opening date in 1987, The Trotter Project is headed to upstate New York! We’ll be hosting our first Excellence Luncheon in quite some time with Chef @spencer_coplan of @HotelKinsley and the team at the @yfarmkingston.

For our Excellence Luncheons, we team up with empowering leaders in the culinary arts, hospitality, and agricultural spaces to teach the next generation of students about where their food comes from and how they can achieve careers in these industries.

Chef Spencer and team will be serving a multi-course meal to the students participating in this summer’s Kingston YMCA Farm Project program, chatting about his journey and answering questions along the way. We’ll all be harvesting the produce we eat together from the Kingston YMCA farm that morning!

Chef Charlie would be so happy to see his legacy continued this way.

We’ll be posting a recap of the luncheon when we return! by @thetrotterproject

29

4

2 months ago