Meet your instructors

Lead Instructor

Hi, my name is Emma and I’m originally from Norwalk, CT, where I grew up boating and spending time on the Long Island Sound. Being on the water has always been a big part of my life. I have extensive experience working with children through volunteer roles at the Maritime Aquarium and Stepping Stones Children’s Museum. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with Food Explorers in the past, and found it incredibly rewarding to help children explore food in a fun and supportive environment. I’m especially passionate about promoting food neutrality and helping kids build positive, lasting relationships with food. Outside of work, I enjoy running (I recently completed my first half marathon), cooking with family, and spending time with my niece and nephew.

Emma is currently pursuing a M.S. in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and begins her dietetic internship with Yale New Haven Hospital in January 2026. She received her B.S. in Nutrition with a minor in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Instructor

Hi! My name is Katrina and I am very excited to combine my passions of teaching, food, and working with children as a Food Explorers instructor this summer. I have worked with Husky Nutrition & Sport to deliver educational programs on nutrition & physical activity. I was a FoodCorps member in Lowell, MA focusing on school nutrition initiatives. This past year, I have been doing another year with FoodCorps, this time in Middletown, CT as a food educator. I teach elementary and middle school students about what’s in food, how to prepare it, how to grow it, and the importance of trying new things. Eating food is a necessary part of everyday life, and in my opinion, this makes education about and exposure to new foods very important. I love that through this role I will be encouraging kids to make and try new foods through a food neutral lens (I am a strong believer that no food is solely good or bad)! Some of my favorite foods to make are halloumi tacos with mango salsa, mediterranean bowls, and sourdough bread. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in nature, traveling, photography, and gardening. 

Katrina received her B.S. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Connecticut. 

Instructor

Hi everyone! My name is Keziah, and I am an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut. I aim to create a fun, welcoming environment where kids feel confident, inspired, and excited to bring their new cooking skills home. Outside of the kitchen, I enjoy reading, painting, and photography. I am thrilled to be returning to Food Explorers this summer! I am passionate about both teaching and food, and I am especially excited to combine these two loves this summer. 

Keziah is currently pursuing a B.S. in English on an education track at the University of Connecticut.

Instructor

Hi there! I’m Joseph. When I’m not working as a Neonatal Dietitian supporting the tiniest patients and their families, you can find me sharing my love of food as a cooking and baking instructor with Food Explorers. My goal is to help create positive food experiences for children from the very beginning—whether that’s in the hospital or the kitchen. I believe that learning to enjoy food starts early, and I’m passionate about making that journey fun, flavorful, and empowering.

Joseph received his B.S. in Dietetics from the University of Connecticut. 

Instructor

Hi everyone! My name is Jenna Verrengia. I am new to the Food Explorers team and cannot wait for the summer season! I have lived in West Hartford, Connecticut my whole life and love to spend my time cooking up new recipes in the kitchen. Learning about nutrition and how to be the best version of ourselves is a great passion of mine and has been my whole life. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I will be continuing on to earn my master’s and become a Registered Dietitian. Becoming a Registered Dietitian is a huge goal of mine as is sharing my knowledge and love for food. 

Jenna is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition at the University of Saint Joseph, CT. 

Instructor

Hi everyone! My name is Mia Ouellette and I am so excited to be returning for my second year at Food Explorers! I have worked with kids for about 6 years now and getting to incorporate food science, cooking, and nutrition to teach kids is an absolute dream. I cannot wait for this summer! 

Mia is currently pursuing a M.S. in Nutrition and enrolled in the Dietetic Internship Program at the University of Saint Joseph, CT. She received her B.S. in Nutrition as well as a minor in Psychological Sciences from Miami University. 

Instructor

Hello everyone! My name is Rachael Whitney, and I was born and raised in Connecticut. I am a Registered Dietitian but have always loved finding and trying out new recipes in my kitchen at home. I am looking forward to passing on my love of cooking and baking with all the children that pass through my classes. Some of my favorite things to make are zucchini bread, apple pie and pizza. When I am not working, I enjoy reading, gardening and crafting. 

Rachael received her M.S. and B.S. as well as completed her dietetic internship at the University of Saint Joseph, CT.

Instructor

Hello, my name is Michelle. My background includes years of teaching both adults and children, including my own three children, the principles of healthy eating and the joy of trying new foods. It is widely known that making healthy food choices every day is paramount for good health, but it is often 

challenging to make those choices. Between the number of new foods showing up on store shelves and the often-confusing nutrition messages presented in the media, making decisions 

about what is best to feed ourselves and our families can be difficult. For this reason, I chose nutrition as my field of study and have made helping children and families understandthese principles and their relationship to lifelong health a priority.  

The absolute best part about working with children, is seeing their excitement and sense of accomplishment when they complete a recipe and taste what they have made. This sense of accomplishment, along with a newly developed understanding that foods can be healthy and delicious, increases the likelihood that they will go on to be true “Food Explorers”. Individuals who understand the relationship between food choices and health while trying and enjoying foods they may have otherwise ignored.

I am excited to be part of a team that strives to make their classes engaging, supportive and fun. Where each student has a chance to build their skills in the kitchen, develop a curiosity about unfamiliar foods and understand that food choices are an important factor in overall 

health.

Instructor

Hi everyone, my name is Louis and I am so excited to be joining the Food Explorers team! Growing up on my family’s farm along the Georgia coast, the kitchen was the heart of our home. Whether I was picking veggies straight from the garden or teaming up with my family to whip up meals, I quickly realized that food has a magical way of bringing people together and making every gathering special. Those joyful, messy, delicious moments sparked my love for cooking and fueled my passion for sharing that excitement with curious young minds.
When I’m not in the classroom, you’ll usually find me hiking through the woods or snapping nature photos, always on the lookout for inspiration in the great outdoors! I also love to host friends for home-cooked feasts, board games, and plenty of laughter, living fully in the moment and savoring every bit of connection.

Louis is currently in the process of earning their degree in Art and Psychology at Texas Women’s University with the goal of becoming an Art Therapist.

Instructor

Hello everyone! My name is Angela V. Smith, I have lived in CT my whole life and am excited to finally give back to the communities that raised me! I just finished all my nutrition education in Boston, MA at Simmons University and I am now officially a Registered Dietitian! I completed my Dietetic Internship, and received my MS in Nutrition and Health Promotion, Certificate in Sports Nutrition, and my BS in Nutrition and Dietetics during my time there. I am so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this organization to help the next generation foster healthy relationships with food and teach lifelong skills that will support their bodies with the nourishment of yummy food!