Our Team

Founder and Executive Director

Sarah has always loved cooking, teaching, and helping the planet, and she combined all three when she founded Little Chefs, Big Change. With a masters from Cornell and years of experience managing after-school cooking programs, Sarah knows how to make healthy eating fun and accessible for kids. Sarah started teaching cooking classes in 2015, inspiring students and families to try new foods and make veggies taste delicious. Over the years, Sarah has compiled many kid-approved recipes and has developed the ability to teach kids how to cook pretty much anywhere- a school kitchen, a classroom, a cafeteria, outside…give her an electrical outlet and a group of kids, and dinner will be ready an hour later! At home, her favorite taste-testers are her kids Emory and Simon and her partner Tom.

Community Programs Manager
Tovah was born in Mesquite, Nevada, and moved to Knoxville at the age of six, where she has lived ever since. She is proud to call East Tennessee home, though she enjoys traveling and exploring new cuisines whenever the opportunity arises.

A strong believer that healthy habits begin early in life, Tovah brings more than 11 years of experience as a Montessori educator, along with her roles as a mother, seasoned cook, and healthy-food enthusiast. She is passionate about helping children—and adults—expand their palates and discover the joy of trying new, nutritious foods. Her guiding motto is, “When you try new things, your world gets bigger.”

Tovah has also served on the boards of three local nonprofits and is deeply familiar with the nonprofit landscape. She is thrilled to join the Little Chefs, Big Change team and looks forward to creating many meaningful memories.

Volunteer Coordinator & Lead Instructor

Taylor is a University of Tennessee student studying economics and finance, but her passions extend far beyond the classroom. She’s always loved cooking and sharing new skills with young learners, and she brings that enthusiasm to every corner of Little Chefs, Big Change.

As Volunteer Coordinator, Taylor is the go-to guide for all things volunteers—organizing classes, sharing resources, and making sure everyone feels supported and ready to jump into the fun. She keeps the volunteer community connected, informed, and excited to help kids explore the world of healthy cooking.

Taylor also serves as a Lead Instructor, confidently guiding our elementary cooking students and adult volunteers through plant-based, kid-approved recipes. Whether she’s cheering on a child trying a new ingredient or helping a volunteer prep for class, Taylor loves watching students discover confidence in the kitchen and seeing volunteers feel inspired by the impact they make.

Lead Cooking Instructor & Program Support
As a cooking instructor for Little Chefs, Big Change, Tina brings together her deep love for cooking and teaching others how to make healthier food choices. Tina has over 20 years of experience in the food industry and is a natural educator who creates joyful, hands-on experiences that inspire kids to explore new foods and build lifelong healthy habits. She also serves as Kitchen Manager at Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center, where she develops and cooks creative, plant-based menus for large groups.

Whether guiding a child through their first time chopping a carrot or helping them discover a love for quinoa, Tina approaches every class with warmth, patience, and infectious enthusiasm for good food.

Lead Cooking Instructor & Program Support
Gracie Wells first joined Little Chefs, Big Change as a volunteer and quickly felt inspired to grow with the organization. She is passionate about healthy, plant-forward cooking and previously gained experience preparing plant-focused meals at Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center. As a Campbell County native, Gracie is especially excited to bring hands-on cooking classes to kids in her own community. She loves helping students gain confidence in the kitchen, try new foods, and discover the magic of cooking.

Lead Cooking Instructor
Matthew Blondell is a third-generation Knoxvillian who loves to feed people and demonstrate that plant-based cooking can be simple, fun, and, most importantly, delicious. A member of the Vegetarian Society of East Tennessee, he has conducted multiple cooking demonstrations for the community. Matthew brings years of experience in food service and community outreach, including roles as director at a local catering company and Events Coordinator for Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. Deeply committed to local service, he understands how vital it is to bring good food and nutrition to our neighborhoods. He also serves as an admin for Knox Vegans, cooks for retreats, caters small events, and loves introducing people to plant-based flavors from around the world. He lives by his mantra,  "Food is love, y'all."