They say the best things happen when you least expect them. For us at Silver Lining Mentoring, that moment came in the form of a simple Instagram DM.
“My name is Evan Martin, and I grew up in the foster care system here in Massachusetts…”
When Chef Evan Martin (aka @TheFlavors) reached out, he offered more than just a cooking class. He offered a full-circle moment. As a former youth in care who built a successful culinary career, Evan wanted to show our young people that their future is full of possibilities (and flavor!).
Fast forward to February 1st, and that DM turned into a bustling kitchen takeover at The Kitchen in Melrose (huge thank you to Julie for hosting us!).
The energy in the room was electric. We had 17 attendees – a mix of mentees, mentors, and staff – all ready to get their hands floury.
For many of us, this was the first time trying our hand at dumpling making. But with Chef Evan leading the way—teaching us the art of the perfect pleat and the delicate timing of the boil—hesitation quickly turned into pride.
One mentor noted, “I never realized it was this easy to make dumplings!” as they laughed and perfected a pleat alongside their mentee.
That moment captures exactly what we strive for. It’s about trying something new, leaning into the learning process, and realizing you’re capable of more than you thought.
This workshop was a perfect example of what we call ‘mentoring in action.’ It’s not just about advice; it’s about building confidence through connection. When our youth see that they can master a new challenge in the kitchen, they take that belief in themselves out into the world.
Chef Evan reflected on the day perfectly:
“Teaching dumpling making—something simple, hands-on, and creative—created more than just a cooking lesson. It opened the door to confidence, teamwork, and moments of pride as participants made something entirely their own. Watching those small wins happen in real time was incredibly moving.”
SLM staff felt that same magic.
“It was so wonderful to see our mentees and mentors not only interact with each other but also Chef Evan! I enjoyed hearing all of the laughter, conversations about movies, video games, and more while we kept our hands busy making dumplings!”
Giving back is personal for Chef Evan. As he told us, “Sharing food has always been my way of connecting, teaching, and showing up. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of an experience that reminded me how powerful the kitchen can be – not just as a place to cook, but as a place to belong.”
We couldn’t agree more.
We are already dreaming up our next community event! If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, there has never been a better time. Whether you have a skill to share or just a willingness to be a consistent friend, we need you.
