Hi, my name is Sebastien Vante, and I work in the nonprofit space supporting vulnerable youth in New York City. My journey into cooking started unexpectedly—but with heart, purpose, and community.

It all began at the drop-in center where I work. One day, our cook was out and someone had to step in. That someone was me. I turned to YouTube for recipes and did my best to cook warm, filling meals for the young people we serve. The response was immediate and powerful—“This is fire,” “You made this?”—and something in me lit up.

I kept going. I started cooking at home, pushing myself to try new dishes and techniques, posting photos of my meals online. And then something happened: people started reaching out. Asking if I catered. If I sold plates. If I did meal prep. It quickly grew from a necessity to a deep love.

Since then, I’ve taken bold steps toward building something real. I hosted tasting events in every borough of New York City—bringing people together around food, testing out dishes, and listening closely to the feedback. Each event reminded me: food isn’t just about flavor. It’s about connection. Culture. Comfort. And I know I’m meant to do this.

Now I’m ready for the next step: launching a pop-up dining experience and investing in my own food truck. A space where I can share what I’ve created, keep building community, and tell my story—one plate at a time.

With your help, I’m raising $100,000 to support:

Purchasing and customizing a food truck

Permits, licenses, and insurance

Kitchen equipment and first inventory

Branding and marketing

Equipment to create high-quality cooking content and videos—

to share my process, my recipes, and my journey with the world

This truck won’t just serve food—it’ll serve purpose. What started in a drop-in kitchen could one day be parked in your neighborhood, offering soulful, globally-inspired meals and a whole lot of love.

Whether you can donate, share, or simply send your support—I thank you deeply. You’re helping me turn a moment of stepping up into a lifelong calling.