Natalie Evans is a dedicated professional with over 15 years of culinary expertise as a Chef, Pastry Chef, and entrepreneur. A proud Afro-Caribbean woman, Natalie combines her love for cooking, cultural diversity, and capacity building with a deep commitment to community empowerment.
Her culinary journey began with a degree in culinary arts, where her passion for pastry arts led her to specialize in the field.
Throughout her career, Natalie has honed her skills in upscale hotels, casual fine dining restaurants, full-service catering, and bakery management. In 2015, she founded We Be JAMin’ Bakery, a successful venture that started in northwestern Maryland and expanded to the Pacific Northwest in 2021, offering value-added products, cooking classes, and private chef experiences.
Natalie’s leadership in the food industry extends beyond the kitchen. She has played a pivotal role in teaching and mentoring through her work as a Lead Chef Instructor for FareStart’s apprenticeship program, where she trained apprentices in corporate catering. As a Program Development Manager, Natalie provided consulting services to nonprofits nationwide, helping them scale or launch food service social enterprises for culinary job skills training.
A passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Natalie has led initiatives such as a DEI Book Club, a BIPOC Affinity Group, and promoted support for local BIPOC farms in King County. Her work in these areas reflects her dedication to creating inclusive and equitable food systems.
In addition to her culinary and DEI work, Natalie is deeply involved in community gardening. She grows food to serve local area food banks, providing fresh produce to those in need. She is also working towards becoming a Master Gardener through the Washington State University Extension Program, furthering her expertise in sustainable agriculture and community food systems.
In June 2024, Natalie joined Ventures as a Business Foundations Specialist, where she continues to mentor and build lasting relationships within diverse communities, focusing on supporting small business entrepreneurs. Her joyful spirit and positive energy are evident in all that she does, and she remains committed to using her talents to make a meaningful impact.
