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Soulcial Kitchen
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About us

Food that heals, unites and inspires hope.

Soulcial Kitchen is a faith-driven hospitality innovation hub in Swansea, Illinois — co-founded by retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General John E. Michel and his wife, Holly.
Soulcial Kitchen volunteers serving meals from a food truck

Our story

A campus built to help food dreams succeed

In a bustling region full of foodies and aspiring entrepreneurs, we saw a need to create a place that could help those interested in starting their own small hospitality businesses succeed. That’s when the Soulcial Kitchen campus was born.

It’s a unique hospitality innovation hub that offers individuals passionate about all things food an opportunity to be part of a campus team committed to delivering great food, exceptional service, and making positive memories. It is also the home of America’s first Food Truck Apprentice Program — a comprehensive training and support program for those seeking to enter the mobile food industry.

But our campus isn’t just about creating great food. We’re also changing the way we serve the hungry and hurting in our community. Our Currency of Caring tokenized free hot meal program delivers dignified dining to those in need. It’s our way of giving back and making a difference.

Our mission

To build community capacity one entrepreneur, one customer, and one neighborhood at a time.

We believe food is more than sustenance — it’s a language of dignity, connection, and transformation. By developing fun, engaging and compelling venues and harnessing the creativity of culinary entrepreneurs, we bring people together around tables where hope is served alongside every plate.

Through our nationally certified Food Truck Apprentice Program, our Spark Tank business skills development initiative, and a network of partner programs, we invest in people with passion and potential.

Our faith fuels our work, guiding us to create spaces where commitment to community, caring, and culinary excellence converge.

Our values & guiding principles

What guides every meal we serve

  • Faith in Action

    We believe deeply that a small business is one of the most effective tools for Kingdom building. We put our faith to work by equipping entrepreneurs to change lives.

  • Dignified Dining for All

    Every person deserves to be served with respect, warmth, and excellence — no matter their circumstance.

  • Entrepreneurship as Empowerment

    We train and elevate hospitality entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and platforms to succeed.

  • Community First

    We measure success by the strength of the communities we serve, not just customers or meals sold.

  • Collaboration for Greater Impact

    We partner with like-minded organizations and leaders to multiply our reach and deepen our impact.

How we work

Business excellence meets community mission

  1. We train

    Culinary entrepreneurs through our nationally recognized and certified Food Truck Apprentice Program.

  2. We equip

    People passionate about the power of food and fellowship with tools, mentorship, and market access needed to transform dreams into reality.

  3. We launch

    Businesses that create jobs, build local economies, and feed communities with dignity.

Every meal served fuels opportunity. Every customer becomes part of a bigger story.

Soulcial Kitchen team and partners in front of the Space Shuttle Cafe food truck

Our vision

A more resilient region, one table at a time

Our vision is ambitious, but we believe in it. With dedication and hard work, we can establish a foundation for local and regional small hospitality business incubation and development — helping people from all walks of life, especially those who are socioeconomically challenged, veterans, and those with disabilities.

Our success will be a testament to the power of community, collaboration, education, and mentorship. By using food to bless and connect people, we can enhance relationships, create lasting memories, and make our entire region more resilient.

Free hot meals served
357,050+
New food truck businesses launched
7
Apprenticeship graduates
Dozens
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