Applications Open for 2026 Flavor Soldier Program

MILWAUKEE, WI (December 3, 2025) — Nationally recognized chef, restaurateur, and culinary educator Chef Michael Feker announced the official launch of applications for the 2026 Flavor Soldier Program, an immersive, four-week culinary entrepreneurship boot camp designed to equip veterans with the skills, confidence, and direction to build meaningful futures through food.

The highly anticipated program, founded through the C.H.E.F. Foundation, brings together culinary mastery, emotional resilience, creative expression, and business training, all at an accessible cost made possible by Feker’s partnership with Bank Five Nine.

With the first cohort beginning in 2026, the program will accept 14 to 20 veterans per session at a significantly reduced rate of $109 per participant, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to opportunity.

Interested veterans can submit their application for the 2026 cohort by clicking here.

The Flavor Soldier Program was born from Chef Feker’s decades-long belief that food has the power to heal, empower, and connect people. More than a cooking course, The Flavor Soldier Program is a life-changing experience that helps veterans rediscover purpose through creativity and community.

Each four-week cohort receives training in:

• Foundational culinary skills and professional kitchen operations
• Culinary storytelling and creativity: treating the kitchen like a stage and food as a message of love and life
• The business of food, including financial literacy designed for first-time entrepreneurs
• How to prepare and launch a food-based passion project, such as a pop-up, catering business, small food venture, or community food initiative
• Next steps for sustainability and growth, including how to scale ideas, build partnerships, and continue the journey beyond the boot camp

“At its core, the Flavor Soldier Program equips people to share love through food,” says Feker. “We give veterans the skills, confidence, and creative spark they need to cook with purpose and possibility.”

Community generosity is vital to ensuring this program remains accessible to veterans. In the spirit of giving, if anyone is moved to support the Flavor Soldier Program Bootcamp, they can do so online: https://www.cheffeker.com/donate

Organizations interested in supporting veterans, entrepreneurship, or culinary education are invited to explore partnership or sponsorship opportunities with the Flavor Soldier Program.

To learn more about becoming a program partner or sponsor, please contact:

Michele Tonkovitz,
Owner + CEO, Green Onion Creative
Email: michele@greenonioncreative.com

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.