Children’s book created with the help of freelancers features cooking experiments to encourage self-expression and self-reflection through the art and play of cooking

Upwork (NASDAQ: UPWK), the world’s work marketplace that connects businesses with independent talent, and celebrity chef Kristen Kish today unveiled It’s All in the Sauce: Bringing Your Uniqueness to the Table, a guided culinary journal for kids with a social mission of supporting the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth. This collaboration is part of Upwork CoLab, a brand partnership program that gives independent talent an opportunity to work on innovative and meaningful projects with renowned brands, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders.

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Upwork and Celebrity Chef Kristen Kish Partner to Release Culinary Journal for Kids (Graphic: Business Wire)

Kristen Kish is a Korean-born American chef best known for winning the tenth season of Bravo’s Top Chef competition. She is the executive chef and partner at Arlo Grey, and co-hosts Fast Foodies on TruTV.

Through Upwork CoLab, Kish partnered with an experienced writer, illustrator, and viral marketer to bring her passion project to life—a cookbook for kids to help them identify their creative voice and celebrate their uniqueness through a series of open-ended cooking experiments. A new web series provides a behind-the-scenes look as Kish interviews, hires, and works with her diverse team of freelancers to make this mission-driven project a reality.

Proceeds from the culinary journal will go to WhatsintheMirror?, a nonprofit organization that provides mental health support and suicide prevention awareness for communities of color through art, advocacy, and affirming care.

“I grew up struggling with my identity and place in the world, and it wasn't until I embraced my own identity and uniqueness that things really started to take off for me. I’m extremely passionate about helping others do the same,” said Kish. “By collaborating with Upwork, I’ve been able to form a dream team of talented freelancers to bring this project to life. This experience has proved the power of working with independent talent, and the endless opportunities that are made available through Upwork’s incredible network of freelancers. I’m so excited to share this book with the world.”

“We’re thrilled to have collaborated with Kristen Kish, an incredible partner with a passion for helping children navigate the complexities behind self-identity, on such an impactful project,” said Lisa Edwards, senior director of brand marketing at Upwork. “This culinary journal for kids, which raises funds for What’s in the Mirror, is just another example of how independent talent and clients on Upwork can come together around a shared passion and purpose to produce meaningful outcomes.”

“As someone who has built a business and brand on instilling confidence and pride in children through storybooks, this project was an absolute dream come true,” said co-author Thomishia Booker. "I love that the series is intimate and allows a look inside our creative process as a team. I began freelancing in order to gain control over my career and embrace my passions without compromise, and Upwork has enabled me to do that through this collaboration with Kristen Kish.”

It’s All in the Sauce is available today for purchase here.

About Upwork

Upwork is the world’s work marketplace that connects businesses with independent talent. We serve everyone from one-person startups to 30% of the Fortune 100 with a powerful, trust-driven platform that enables companies and freelancers to work together in new ways that unlock their potential. Our talent community earned over $2.5 billion on Upwork in 2020 across more than 10,000 skills in categories including website & app development, creative & design, customer support, finance & accounting, consulting, and operations. Learn more at www.upwork.com and join us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok.

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