Meet your Summer Camp instructors

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

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! My name is Allie and I am so excited to join the food explorers team. I previously worked with Husky Nutrition and Sport through a summer internship, where I taught children about nutrition and physical activity. I am passionate about making nutrition education engaging and accessible, especially for younger audiences. In my free time, I enjoy trying new recipes, spending time outdoors, playing with my pets, and exploring coffee shops.

Allie will receive her bachelor’s in nutritional sciences in May 2026 from the University of Connecticut. Allie is pursuing a masters degree in dietetics through the University of Rhode Island starting in the fall of 2026 with the goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian. 

Instructor

Hi there, I’m Eliza! I am so excited to be back at Food Explorers for my third summer. I grew up in Farmington, where every Sunday I woke up the smell of sizzling onions for Mom’s homemade sauce and meatballs. It was there I began to learn that food is the ultimate vessel for love and I am so grateful for the opportunity to nurture that in the children I work with. My job is to make every day in the kitchen joyful, educational, and delicious and I have so much fun doing what I do. My favorite meal to make at home is a good roast: chicken, crispy potatoes, and all sorts of veg. I’m also known to whip up some brown butter Rice Krispie treats at any opportunity! In my free time, I’ll be swimming in the ocean, spending time with my friends, and traveling as much as I can.  

Eliza is pursuing her B.S. in Dietetics and M.S. in Health Promotion Sciences from the University of Connecticut. 

Instructor

Hi everyone! My name is Brigid. I am so excited to be joining the Food Explorers team this summer! I love working with both food and children, so this opportunity is the perfect combination of my passions. I chose to pursue nutrition because I am passionate about helping others build a positive and confident relationship with food. I also love cooking for others and experimenting in the kitchen, especially when trying new recipes and flavors from different cuisines. Some of my favorite things to make are brown butter banana bread and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. I can’t wait to spend the summer cooking, learning, and having fun with everyone!

Brigid is currently a junior at the University of Connecticut, pursuing a bachelor's degree in Nutritional Sciences. 

Instructor

Hello! I’m Heaven Caraballo. Connecticut has always been my home, but I have a big love for traveling and exploring new places around the world, some of my favorite places I've been to are Italy, France, and Brazil. I’m definitely someone who can’t say no to a good sweet treat or a delicious meal. Food is one of my favorite ways to experience joy and culture, and one of my favorite cultural comfort foods is pastelillos. I’m passionate about sharing that love of food with others, and I enjoy bringing energy, creativity, and care into everything I do. I hope to make a difference in children’s lives by providing compassionate care and support, helping them feel safe, happy, and healthy.

Heaven is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with the goal of specializing in pediatrics. 

Instructor

Hi everyone! My name is Aaron, and I am so excited to be joining the Food Explorers team this summer! I love working with kids, so this opportunity is a great way for me to combine that with my passion for food. I chose to study nutrition because I want to help other athletes, like myself, feel their best and perform at their highest level. I currently play college baseball at USJ, and I understand how important nutrition is for both performance and overall well-being.

I also really enjoy baking, especially making cookies using my secret hometown ingredient—maple syrup! I love experimenting in the kitchen and finding new ways to make recipes both fun and delicious. I’m looking forward to spending the summer cooking, learning, and having a great time with everyone!

Aaron is currently pursuing both a degree in Nutrition and in Public Health at the University of Saint Joseph, CT.

Instructor

Hi everyone!  My name is Daniela, and I am so excited to be joining Food explorers as a cooking instructor this summer! I am passionate about helping kids build confidence in the kitchen while learning about nutrition in a fun, hands-on way. My love for cooking started early, from rushing home to try new recipes I found online to watching the Food Network while doing homework in elementary school.  One of my favorite gifts I’ve ever received was a KitchenAid stand mixer in fifth grade, and I still use it all the time today! I especially enjoy making recipes inspired by Hispanic and Caribbean flavors, influenced by my background, and I love exploring new cuisines whenever I can. For the past five summers, I have worked as a lifeguard, aquatics lead, and assistant aquatics director, where I discovered how much I enjoy working with kids and creating a fun, supportive environment. Outside of the kitchen, I enjoy going to the beach, playing soccer, and attending music festivals.  I’m looking forward to a summer filled with cooking, creativity, and helping kids discover new foods and skills! 

Daniela is currently pursuing her B.S. in Dietetics and M.S. in Health Promotion Sciences from the University of Connecticut. 

Instructor

Hi everyone! My name is Ayanna. I am passionate about creating a fun
and welcoming environment where kids feel confident and excited to
learn new cooking skills. I love experimenting with delicious recipes,
especially empanadas, steak, and mac and cheese. This summer, I’m
excited to bring my experience as a sports coach and line cook to Food Explorers, combining my love for teamwork and cooking to inspire kids both in and out of the kitchen. Outside of cooking, I enjoy hiking, reading, and drawing!

Ayanna is currently pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Science and
Environmental Engineering at Trinity College.

Instructor

Hey all! My name is Kaitlyn. Cooking and baking are my favorite hobbies of all time, but I never have the time for it! I'm very excited to do it everyday this summer, and I love trying new recipes such as the ones being used this summer at Food Explorers. While I don't study nutrition, Food Explorer's mission heavily aligns with human development. I'm eager to use cooking skills and a food-neutral approach to help students develop their skills and confidence in the kitchen (and in general) while also teaching them to maintain a healthy mindset on food/cooking. I'm also very excited to help the children to build kitchen skills, explore new flavors, and develop a positive, confident relationship with food. This position helps me to have first-hand experience of helping children develop essential life skills, nutritional knowledge, confidence, creativity, and patience— as well as working on their fine motor skills! I'm ready to get started already! 

Kaitlyn is pursuing a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences as well as minoring in Psychology at the University of Connecticut.

Instructor

Coming soon...

Instructor

Coming soon...

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

Hi there! My name is Kyra and I am a professional food educator and certified cheese professional who recently moved back to my hometown of Danbury, CT. My food educational experience is diverse; from leading adults & children from under represented communities in culinary and nutrition focused classes to hosting educational tastings using cheese as a medium to learn about agriculture, farming and the wonderful world of cheese. As an active member of the cheese community I stay busy through volunteer work for organizations like The Cheese Culture Coalition and The American Cheese Society. My 13 year journey has led me to start my own business called Own Your Funk which is on a mission to empower a new, more diverse, food community through consulting and curated experiences. When not working to be an innovator in this industry I enjoy coaching youth track & field and spending time with my family and friends. I am thrilled and honored to be part of the Food Explorers team and am excited to continue doing what I love, exploring food and sharing knowledge with the next generation!

Instructor

Hi! My name is Reagan Wildman, I am a young chef/nutritionist driven by a passion and love for food! I grew up in Hamden where my love for food started at home, then continued through high school and college where I achieved my bachelor's degree for Culinary Nutrition from Johnson & Wales University (all while being a working, student athlete) and found a home in Rhode Island. I then began working for Boston Children's Hospital and a small RI bagel shop until I returned home to CT, began working as a vegan baker, later on becoming an executive chef and private chef, (with hopes of going back to become an RD). Needless to say, I am very excited to transfer my passion to the next generation and see what lessons they can teach me along the way as well! 

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

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.