FoOD IS LIFE


Chef Dedra Blount earned her Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University in Norfolk, Virginia in 1991, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Service Management at Johnson & Wales’ Providence, Rhode Island campus in 1993. She is a CCI-Certified Culinary Instructor and an FMP-Food Service Management Professional. She also serves as the Lead Chef for the American Heart Association’s mobile kitchen unit in Hampton Roads, Virginia. A culinary educator for over 28 years, teaching at both the high school and collegiate level, “Chef D” also advocates for special needs children and adults, alongside her sister, Debra, the Culinary Director for their Be Kind Bakery and Super Hero Chef training program.


Debra Brabson graduated from Mary Washington College in 1993 with a degree in Business Administration, and also serves as a Chef for the American Heart Association’s mobile kitchen unit in Hampton Roads, Virginia. As the Creative Director for NYC Culinary Studio, Debra brings her passion for children and over 15 years of experience as an early child educator, to her unique approaches to teaching in the kitchen.

Having worked with the American Heart Association for over six years, in 2021, Dedra and Debra were awarded as “Women of Impact” in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Both count their Mom, Marian Butts, as the catalyst for their community work, having discovered she was a silent heart attack survivor. Both now advocate for healthy eating in their quest to raise awareness about silent heart attacks, the warning signs and how food choices can and do save lives.

Both firmly believe that food is life, that any and everyone can enjoy cooking and do it well, and that family flourishes in the kitchen.

The family that plays together, stays together. Food is fun!


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