Food. Science. Community.
SciCook is a San Diego 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving free community meals, running a sliding-scale eatery, and teaching hands-on nutrition and cooking classes.
$1 provides one free, nutritious meal.
Give $1 = Feed 1 Person$10 provides a Thanksgiving meal.
Thanksgiving: $10 = 1 Meal →How SciCook can help you
The last mile
Congregations and schools have kitchens that sit unused much of the week. Farms, grocers, and restaurants have surplus food that is still good to eat. Neighbors have skills and a willingness to help.
A kitchen sitting unused cannot feed anyone. The last mile is the gap between what our community already has and the nourishment people can actually reach, whether the barrier is cost, access, or know-how. SciCook exists to close it.
All In Community Meals shows how: St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Park opens its kitchen, the San Diego Food Bank provides produce, fruit, and meat, SciCook brings nutrition expertise, and donations and grants help fund the work. Over time, as SciEats grows, its revenue will help us feed more people through All In.
What's missing is the connection. That's the last mile.
Read our story and philosophyThe work
Every neighbor's last mile is different. Free meals for those who need them today, affordable nourishing meals for everyday life, and skills to cook well for a lifetime.
Free food access
Volunteer-powered meals for unsheltered neighbors and anyone facing hunger, where people cook, serve, and eat together without the usual divide between giver and receiver. Always free; small donations are welcome but never expected.
Explore All In →
Affordable food access
Our sliding-scale eatery makes balanced, science-informed meals accessible through affordable prices and special discounts. Every meal you enjoy here helps build a lasting source of support for our free All In community meals.
Visit SciEats →Access to knowledge
Hands-on classes that connect nutrition science with everyday, culturally familiar cooking.
See upcoming classes →Science improves the food. Education shares the knowledge. Community makes it accessible. More ways to learn and contribute: mentored internships, kitchen training, and team building with social impact.
Internships & training →Team building →Food science in the kitchen
At SciCook, we take an evidence-based, common-sense approach to cooking. We look beyond calories to balance protein, fats, complex carbohydrates and fiber, while paying attention to vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds. We use food science to make culturally familiar meals more nourishing without sacrificing flavor.
A work in progress
Our fermented, plant-based alternative to heavy cream.
Used in dishes like Tikka Masala. We're continuing to study and refine it.
A founder's perspective
An immunologist whose research explored interactions between the human immune system and gut microbiome, Dr. Taher Sathaliya also worked in cancer and autoimmune drug development. He brings that scientific curiosity into his second laboratory—the kitchen.
Dr. Taher Sathaliya (MBBS, PhD)
Fuel the last mile
Your gift goes into ingredients, kitchen time, and volunteer support for All In Community Meals.
Community
The gatherings, people, and stories that bring our mission into everyday life.
Meet SciCook in the neighborhood, discover our programs, and connect around food.
Learn more →
Volunteers, partnerships, milestones, and stories from our kitchen and community.
Read stories →
Workshops, cultural celebrations, and neighborhood gatherings around food.
See upcoming events →Join the work
Healthcare professionals, educators, faith communities, businesses, and neighbors all have something to bring. Volunteer, partner with us, share your expertise, or help fund nutritious community meals. There's a place for everyone at the table.