Consider how communal kitchen spaces can strengthen communities and bring us together. Andrea is a food justice advocate and culinary creative working to build food systems that are truly equitable for people and the planet. She was born, bred, and buttered in Central New York and is a proud, first-generation graduate of The Culinary Institute of America. Since then, she has spent her career working across a variety of food and beverage operations positions in the Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Denver areas. Most recently she completed a master’s degree in Gastronomy at Boston University where she concentrated in Food Policy. Her roles in activism, research, and community engagement have allowed her to contribute to several social impact projects related to farmers’ market reform, urban food access, and environmental sustainability in university dining halls. When she’s not busy spotting fellow left-handers in TV and movies, she can likely be found reading, hiking, or trying regional dishes throughout her travels. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx