BOSTON, MA – April 29, 2025 - The Boston Public Library (BPL) has welcomed Kayla Tabb as its new Chef-in-Residence at the Nutrition Lab in the Roxbury Branch, made possible by a generous grant from anonymous donors to the Boston Public Library Fund.
The Chef-in-Residence aims to expand community cooking programs and promote nutritional literacy for patrons of all ages. This initiative empowers patrons to explore cooking techniques, cultural heritage, nutrition, and Boston history by offering demonstrations, hands-on classes, and resources. As with all BPL programs, these offerings are free and open to all.
Kayla Tabb, a California native, moved to Boston over ten years ago and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from MIT, later graduating from Boston University’s. inaugural Pastry Arts program. After working in consulting and pastry production, she now develops plant-based recipes for meal kit delivery. Throughout her career, Kayla has combined teaching and research, collaborating on community health projects in Boston and Navajo Nation and serving as a curriculum developer, instructor, tutor, and mentor. She is excited to share her anthropological and culinary expertise while exploring Boston’s rich and diverse foodways.
"Kayla brings many talents to the Chef-in-Residence program,” said Nutritional Literacy Coordinator, Stephanie Chace. “With her expertise as a recipe developer, pastry chef, educator, and researcher, we are very excited to work with Kayla in offering diverse nutritional literacy programs to BPL patrons!"
Community members are invited to meet Kayla and share their ideas for future programs during an open house event at the Nutrition Lab on Monday, May 5, 2025. Meet the Nutrition Lab's New Chef-in-Residence: Kayla Tabb will offer an opportunity for patrons to get to know Kayla, learn about her approach to culinary education, and contribute suggestions for workshops and classes they would like to see.
"We are excited to welcome Kayla Tabb, our second Chef-in-Residence, an initiative made possible through the generous contributions of our donors to the Boston Public Library Fund,” said Paula Sakey, Executive Director of the Boston Public Library Fund. “Thanks to private support, the Nutrition Lab is creating and offering engaging, hands-on experiences for our patrons that promote nutritional knowledge, healthy eating habits, and so much more — affirming our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality resources free to all.”
The Chef-in-Residence is one component of the BPL's Nutrition Lab, which serves as the Library's hub for nutritional literacy. It provides learning opportunities for healthy eating and a space to develop life and work skills focused on nutrition and meal creation. The Nutrition Lab is a place to build confidence, meet new friends, and gather as a community.
To learn more about the Nutrition Lab and its upcoming programs, visit: bpl.org/nutrition-lab/.
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ABOUT THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is a pioneer of public library service in America. It was the first large, free municipal library in the United States; the first public library to lend books; the first to have a branch library; and the first to have a children’s room.
The Boston Public Library of today is a robust system that includes the Central Library in Copley Square, 25 neighborhood branches, the Norman B. Leventhal Map and Education Center, the Kirstein Business Library and Innovation Center, and an archival center, offering public access to world-class special collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and prints, along with rich digital content and online services.
The Boston Public Library serves nearly 4 million visitors per year and millions more online. All of its programs and exhibitions are free to all and open to the public. The Boston Public Library is a department of the City of Boston, under the leadership of Mayor Michelle Wu. To learn more, visit bpl.org.
ABOUT THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY FUND
The mission of the Fund is to provide financial support to the Boston Public Library, ensuring that it remains viable, engaging, accessible, and free to all. The Fund fulfills this mission by working in partnership with the Library, donors, and other funders in supporting BPL programs and special initiatives. Support from the Fund supplements, but does not supplant, other BPL resources, including City of Boston funding. For more information, visit bplfund.org.