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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

President & CEO

Mia Kotikovski

I am a medical student at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University with aspirations in pediatric surgery, driven by a commitment to improving children's lives both inside and outside the clinical setting. I connect deeply with CKC's mission because I believe food is a powerful bridge between cultures, and sharing global cuisines enables children to embrace diversity, celebrate their heritage, and foster understanding in an accessible way.

Director of Marketing

Alex Portscheller

I am a graduate of Stony Brook University with a B.S. in Health Science in pursuit of a career in medicine. I love working with my peers at Cultured Kids Cuisine to teach children about the world around them in a fun and hands-on way that grants cultural awareness through the passion of cooking!

Director of Creative Design

Sofia Long

Sofia graduated from Northeastern University in May 2025 and is now a Marketing Coordinator at a consulting firm in Boston. She loves being part of the CKC team, where she's built strong bonds and found inspiration in the collaboration, creativity, and camaraderie among teammates.

Culinary Director

Alice Lian

I recently graduated with a degree in Business Administration. While I work in the world of business during the day, I am grateful to be a part of CKC, where I get to connect with people from many different backgrounds. I also get to work with educating the new generation about cultures around the world through food!

Director of Content Creation

Mylien Lai

I am a biochemistry major at SUNY University at Buffalo, and the senior news editor of its student newspaper. I joined CKC because I love creating things - whether it's in a research lab, the newsroom or at home with a cup of coffee over our collection of recipes. And I find a home here at CKC with my dynamic interests - everyone is doing something unique but we're all linked by how passionate we are to bring cultural dishes to the forefront.

Editor-in-Chief

Tyler Rivers

My name is Tyler and I'm an English Teacher from Rockland County, NY. I love being involved in community and exploring different cultures; since joining CKC I've had the privilege of experiencing and sharing new cultures through writing about one of the most important things: food!

Director of Fundraising & Sponsorships

Tiffany Lin

I'm currently attending Stony Brook University, majoring in Health Science with aspirations to become a pediatrician. I connect the most with CKC's mission of spreading, connecting, and listening to stories of children and families around the globe over food!

Director of Fundraising & Sponsorships

Tisheika Richards

I'm Tisheika and I'm a 2024 graduate of Stony Brook University. I studied psychology and earned a baccalaureate during my time. Now, I'm an aspiring nursing student while I work in a physical therapy clinic. I adore the mission of CKC and the opportunity to collaborate with other passionate and driven youths.

Director of Website Design

Jenna Li

I’m a first-year graduate student at UC Berkeley studying Information, with a focus on UX Design and Product Management. I’m drawn to CKC because I believe food has a unique ability to bring people together across cultures. As someone who’s moved often for school, sharing and discovering food has been one of the most meaningful ways I build community wherever I go.

Our Interns

"Being with CKC for almost a year now, I learned a lot about responsibility and how to engage with others. Most importantly, I had the opportunity to work with other incredible women and to share my love for food and culture with my community."

Renee M.

Culinary Manager

"When I first joined CKC, I had no idea that it would have the amazing impact that it did. I've developed amazing leadership and social skills, all of which have helped me land internships and jobs."

Taylor L.

Manager of Digital Marketing & Engagement

"CKC gave me the chance to learn and grow so much over the course of this semester. I was able to reach out and connect with so many driven and independent women who inspire me to work for and reach my entrepreneurial goals."

Michelle H.

Fundraising & Sponsorships Intern