About Us

Children are of the most impressionable members of our society, as well as our future influencers, leaders and changemakers, making it of utmost importance to educate them on culture and history early on. Throughout history and into the modern-day world, much pain, loss, and oppression stems from a lack of understanding about people different from oneself, and critical decisions based on misinformation about worldly cultures. In educating youth and raising the next generation to have cultural literacy and the ability to apply it in the real-world, we are inevitably contributing to a world of love and peace.

Through our free programming, we are able to connect with families and children of various socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring that everyone has equal access to cultural education. Furthermore, we work to instill critical thinking skills in youth, so that they may make well-informed decisions in everyday circumstances, utilizing cultural and historical considerations– cultivating a new generation where NO child gets picked on for their school lunch.

In addition, in a society dominated by social media and the virtual world, where human interaction has become limited, through our cooking services we have been working to combat this very issue by truly bringing families together.

A Word From Our Founder

Mia Kotikovski

My dearest Russian immigrant mother, avid Bhangra dancer, and all-things-asian-curry enthusiast, raised me to appreciate the vast cultures of the world. As I grew older and more conscientious, I was shocked by the racial prejudice that plagued our society, from kids at the cafeteria getting bullied for scent of their lovingly packed lunches to the horrific acts of racial discrimination surfaced on the media. Cultured Kids Cuisine is a powerful initiative run by future leaders to combat hate and promote love and tolerance through an educational vessel that connects everyone: food.

Still interested? Let's learn more about CKC!

Meet the Directors

FOUNDER & CEO

MIA KOTIKOVSKI

I am from New York City and attend Stony Brook University , majoring in Biology, B.S. on the premedical track. Cooking has been my passion ever since I can remember and with CKC I am able to share that with the world while making a positive impact on children across the globe.

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & ENGAGEMENT

EMILY ZHU

My name is Emily and I'm from Connecticut, attending Stony Brook University, majoring in Biology and minoring in Women's and Gender Studies and on the pre-dental track. I joined CKC because I wanted to be a part of an organization that would surround me with strong women that are all driven to make a change in the world!

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ALEXANDRA SHATAN

My name is Alexandra and I'm the Director of the Writing Team! I go to Brooklyn Technical High School and am in the Law and Society Major, with the intention of becoming a trial lawyer for criminal defendants. Growing up, my culture was always synonymous with something that other people find odd or unusual. Cultured Kids Cuisine breaks these boundaries, allowing for a more caring and tolerant environment through a medium as universal as food. My younger self, and me now, appreciate this mission immensely.

DIRECTOR OF CULINARIAN

LIMIN LI

I'm a freshman at Stony Brook University, majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in astronomy. I am incredibly passionate about regenerative medicine, neuroscience, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life! At CKC, I oversee my team's weekly culinary workshops and connect with chefs across the country to co-host workshops for young children. I co-founded the organization and brought her own interests in the culinary arts, nutritional science, and early education, most of which align with CKC's mission.

CO-DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING & SPONSORSHIPS

MEGAN CHIN

My name is Megan and I'm a senior in high school from New York. I'm the Fundraising and Sponsorship Director at CKC. I joined CKC because I am a huge foodie and I think it's great we are getting children excited about all kinds of food at a young age.

CO-DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING & SPONSORSHIPS

ANANYAA KUMAR

My name is Ananyaa Kumar and I studied bioengineering and entrepreneurship at the University of Pennsylvania ('22). I am now joining a software venture capital/private equity firm in LA. I am co-director of the fundraising and sponsorships team and help organize and obtain funds for CKC. I joined CKC because connecting children to various countries and cultures through food is a valiant and necessary effort, particularly in today's increasingly integrated society.

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM

LINDSAY LAM

I am from Vancouver, Canada, and a junior at Richmond Christian Secondary School. I am the Director of Film and Photography and work with my team to edit and create video content for CKC's various platforms, bringing awareness about our mission globally. I chose to work with CKC because I love baking and food photography, and CKC offered an opportunity for me to network with others and meet people with similar interests and goals!

CO-DIRECTOR OF WEBSITE DESIGN

SUMIN WU

My name is Sumin Wu, and I currently attend Brooklyn Technical High School in NY. My current interests lie in business, travel, and urban exploration. I joined CKC in hopes of furthering our reach to empower children and young women in the cooking and entrepreneurial fields.

CO-DIRECTOR OF WEBSITE DESIGN

CHERRY HE

I'm Qian Yi (Cherry) He from Hunter College in NYC. I major in computer science and minor in media. As Co-Director of the Web Development Team, I build and optimize the CKC website for evolving needs with Sumin and the rest of the team. I enjoy supporting CKC in its mission to spread cultural awareness through food. This opportunity allows me to meet other powerful women and strengthen my technical skills.

DIRECTOR OF CONTENT CREATION

JESSICA LIN

My name is Jessica Lin, the Director of Content Creation! I joined CKC because it's a community that binds everything I love: food, education, and culture. It's a community that encourages and emphasizes creativity by allowing interns to lead any new project they feel passionate about. It's a community that truly respects its interns by giving them endless work flexibility, connection, and guidance.

CO-DIRECTOR OF CONTENT CREATION

IANDRA RAMOS

My name is Iandra Ramos and I attend Harvard College, majoring in Psychology. I joined CKC because its mission of spreading cultural appreciation through the art of cooking truly resonated with me. I love traveling, exploring new cultures, and cooking, and CKC combines all of these passions.

CO-DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE DESIGN

MINNAH KOLKAS

Hello, I'm Minnah! I'm a senior at Brooklyn Technical High School in NYC planning to pursue architecture and engineering in college and my career. I joined CKC to sharpen my professional skills and for the mission of appreciating cultures through food.

CO-DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE DESIGN

CATHERINE CLARKE

My name is Catherine Clarke, and I am from Boston, Massachusetts. I have just graduated from Northeastern University with a BFA in Design. I love being involved in women's entrepreneurship and education! It's so rewarding and empowering to work with other women and non-binary creatives, to learn, grow, and lift each other up!