Feed the Soul Foundation nourishes Houston’s culinary arts future through scholarships to HCC students

After initially pursuing a career in criminal justice, Briānna Lowe realized that career path wasn’t her passion. The Michigan native dropped out of Grand Rapids Community College in 2020. Two years later, something in her spirit compelled her to move to Houston and fulfill her desire to become a chef.

Tuition at one of Houston’s culinary institutes was too expensive, and she discovered the Houston City College (HCC) Culinary Arts program.

“This is the best program ever. I believe it’s better than any culinary institute in Texas,” Lowe said. "Not only did I learn about what it takes to be a chef in the industry, but I also learned the financial aspect of becoming successful.”

Adjusting to a new city brought some challenges. Lowe worked part-time while attending HCC to pay for classes. After relocating to Houston, she continued working for her employer. However, during her final semester at HCC, conflicts between class requirements and work schedules became too much to manage, and Lowe was terminated from the position.  

Despite those setbacks, Lowe remained committed to completing her education. 

Houston City College Culinary Arts graduate Briānna Lowe, left, and Culinary Arts Instructor Chef Mariah Scott volunteers at a community event following Lowe’s graduation. Lowe was one of five students earning a $500 scholarship from Feed the Soul Foundation. This past May she graduated with an associate’s degree in culinary arts and soon received another good piece of news: she was one of five HCC students to earn a $500 scholarship from the Feed the Soul Foundation. Since 2020, the Foundation has invested over $4 million directly into the culinary community—not in overhead, but in people, culture and local neighborhoods.

This year, the Foundation expanded its impact in Houston by awarding $2,500 in scholarships to students in HCC’s Culinary Arts program, marking the beginning of a partnership designed to strengthen the region’s culinary talent pipeline.

“HCC has been a community anchor for decades,” said Feed the Soul Executive Director Falayn Ferrell. “It’s a place where everyday students, many balancing work, family and financial challenges, can access high-quality training and discover their potential. That aligns perfectly with our commitment to expanding economic mobility.”

Ferrell added the decision to partner with HCC was both strategic and deeply aligned with the organization’s mission.

Feed the Soul Foundation’s most meaningful interactions with HCC students come from their participation in the Heart & Soul Dinner Fellowship. Ferrell recalls watching students step into a professional culinary environment with poise and determination.

“Several students worked alongside seasoned chefs,” she said. “Their eagerness to learn and ability to adapt quickly in a high-pressure setting was remarkable.”

One student’s transformation stood out. The student was nervous at first, but by the end of the evening, plating dishes with confidence and precision.

“That’s what this work is about,” Ferrell said. “Creating moments where students see what’s possible.”

For Lowe, the scholarship will allow her to pursue the next steps of her academic journey: earning a bachelor’s degree. Although she was inducted into the National Honor Society and achieved excellence in the classroom, she never received a scholarship until now.

“I filled out scholarship applications before and was on the Dean’s List, so I was shocked when I received the email that I earned a scholarship,” Lowe said. “Chef Mariah Scott [HCC Culinary Arts Instructor] also reached out to me and said I was one of the students picked due to my hard work, dedication and always showing up to volunteer. I’m just excited.”

Scott, who taught Lowe during her first semester and later in the À La Carte course, praised her for deservingly earning the Foundation’s scholarship.

“From the beginning, she demonstrated that she was serious about her craft and carried herself with an exceptional level of professionalism,” Scott said. “Scholarships like these recognize the hard work of students such as Briānna and provide meaningful support as they take the next steps in their education and careers. All the students were very excited to earn that scholarship. It was unexpected for them which made it awesome; they volunteered from pure joy and love for culinary.”

Other HCC Culinary Arts students who received Feed the Soul Foundation scholarships include Dijuan Collins, Melanie Cantu, Carol Bonner and Serg Philips. 

To learn more about HCC Culinary Arts program, please visit hccs.edu/culinaryarts. For more information about Feed the Soul Foundation, go to feedthesoulfou.org.

Houston City College Central Communications Director Donald Sparks, center, receives an honorary check from Feed the Soul Foundation for $2,500 given to HCC Culinary Arts students. Feed the Soul Foundation was founded with the vision of empowering culinary entrepreneurs and students by providing the essential resources needed to flourish in the food industry.