When Chef Missy Terrell bakes a sweet potato pie at Community Kitchen Pittsburgh (CKP) in Hazelwood where she’s currently an instructor, people “start flocking.”
“You can smell it through the kitchen and even outside the building and people head to the kitchen to sneak a piece,” she said.
Always striving to “put love on a plate” Chef Missy said the secret ingredient in her sweet potato pie is “nostalgia.”
“People have distinct memories of eating a sweet potato pie – often around the holidays and surrounded by loved ones,” she said. “I want my pie to remind them of those moments.”
Now, thanks to a collaboration with New France Brewing Company, those sweet memories can also be evoked through a beer inspired by her signature dessert called “From Chef Missy, With Love.” Described as a “brown ale with vanilla and spices,” this limited-edition fundraiser beer will be released with a launch party at the brewery this Saturday, November 8 from 5-9 p.m. At the party, $2 from every pint and $4 from every four-pack sold will be donated to CKP. After the launch, $1 per pint and $2 per four-pack, plus a portion of wholesale orders will go to CKP.
All of the proceeds will support the non-profit’s no-cost, culinary-based workforce training and development programs for adults who are facing employment barriers due to a number of reasons including poverty, incarceration, homelessness or no high school diploma.
“Our friends at CKP have been hard at work doing great things for this neighborhood and they welcomed us with open arms when we opened in 2024,” said New France Brewing Company co-owner, Nicholas Jones.
“We relish the chance to give back to them for the support they have shown us since our beginning.”
Chef Missy said she wants to give back to CKP through this fundraiser beer because, as an alumna of the program, she credits it for “saving her life.”
“The training I received didn’t just teach me culinary skills, but survival skills,” she said. “I take care of my family in a different way because of what I learned. I feel very blessed to be a part of a program like this.”
To support Community Kitchen Pittsburgh or learn more, visit: ckpgh.org and follow CKP on Instagram.
Launch Party Details:
- New France Brewing Company, 5009 Lytle Street, Pittsburgh
- Saturday, November 8 from 5-9 p.m.
- Ages 21+
- Free entry
- Small bites and opportunities to learn more about CKP
- Donations encouraged
