Deidre Pujols and baseball All-Star husband Albert Pujols have now opened Open Gate Kitchen located in Costa Mesa. The food is a mix of healthy international offerings.
When Deidre Pujols found that there was an essential missing piece in the support systems offered to survivors of vulnerable life situations, her husband Albert Pujols formed Open Gate International (OGI). The nonprofit champions victorious futures for adult survivors of vulnerable life situations through vocational and life skills training. The first vocational training offering, OGI’s 15-week Culinary Arts Program, is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation.
Diedre and Albert have taken their vision of social good even further with the opening of Open Gate Kitchen—a restaurant designed to give these OGI students their first taste of real restaurant work. Located in Costa Mesa inside The Hood Kitchen, Open Gate Kitchen provides an invaluable apprenticeship to OGI graduates before they pursue employment in the hard-hit restaurant and hospitality industries.
Talented graduates from Open Gate International’s Culinary Arts Program, led by Global Executive Chef Cinthia Worsey, handcraft customizable, made-to-order lunch fare. With a focus on fresh, casual cuisine, the menu includes salad bowls with filling, nutritious ingredients such as choice of protein, quinoa, and vegetables. Internationally inspired Korean-style, Mexi-Cali, and Mediterranean Customizable-Bowls are personalized with a choice of protein, and lunch options also include Cuban, turkey, and tuna paninis as well as Angus beef burgers.
The restaurant is open Monday through Friday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 and breakfast will also be served at Open Gate Kitchen Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
