Our History and Founders
Chef’s Outreach Association, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, was started and founded by Chefs Keith Butler & Victor Schmidt in Pittsburgh, PA in 2023. An online search and phone call led to the addition of celebrated nutritionist Judy Dodd shortly after.
Our mission is to provide education and resources to under-served and minority youth, teaching them how to work with food, become a Chef, work in the culinary field, and the importance of healthy eating. Our partnerships with University of Pittsburgh’s Dietetics program, local organizations, celebrated chefs and generous donors makes this possible.
Chef Keith Butler is a Pittsburgh native. At a very young age he always expressed a genuine
passion for Culinary Arts. As a young adult Chef Keith trained with his mentor and uncle the
late Robert “Dr. Bob” McCall, a well-known local restauranteur, which helped develop his enthusiasm for Culinary Arts. He later became a Culinary Arts graduate of Community College of Allegheny County.
For over 25 years Chef Keith has instructed Culinary Arts at various institutions, workshops, and events. Chef Keith is on staff as a chef instructor at Bidwell Training Center, and is a member of 100 Black Men National Health and Wellness Committee, the Pittsburgh Public Schools Advisory Culinary Arts Board, and the Nutritional Chef for Flourishing Communities and The Community Liver Alliance. He has also volunteered with other organizations and has received accolades and awards for his accomplishments and outstanding merit.
Chef Keith has performed countless cooking demonstrations throughout Pittsburgh including
“WQED Cooks”. He is the creator of the Facebook group, “Pittsburgh Chefs and Foodies Unite”,
which offers its members a platform for networking, recipe sharing, career opportunities and
resources in the food industry. In his “spare” time, he is owner and Executive Chef of “Hannah’s Catering”.
He co-founded “Chefs Outreach Association” in 2023, a 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization designed to educate the community on all aspects of culinary arts and focus on healthy cooking while promoting generational health. Chef is honored to partner with Register Dietitians, PhD Students, and other chefs to facilitate area and national healthy eating and cooking educational events.
Chef Keith firmly believes in giving back to the community. He will continue to dedicate himself
in the Culinary Arts industry, through community outreach and educating the community on
health and wellness.
Chef Victor Schmidt is a distinguished culinary professional with a rich background in food service and leadership. Formerly the Executive Chef at Carnegie Mellon University, Chef Vic excelled under the management of two different companies, most notably navigating the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under FLIK’s banner, he played a pivotal role in a partnership with a leading medical device manufacturer, orchestrating the delivery of over 10,000 meals to team members and their families during a critical time.
Inspired by his roots as the son of Erich Schmidt, a humble farmer, Chef Vic’s journey reflects a blend of resilience, innovation, and dedication to his craft. He is excited to partner with his longtime friend and colleague Chef Keith in the Chefs Outreach Association. Chef Victor and his wife Yvette are also the proud owners of Taste of Puerto Rico restaurant in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Oliver neighborhood.
Judy Dodd, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND (decd.)
Retired Professor, University of Pittsburgh Dietetics and Nutrition
Judy Dodd was a founding contributor to Chef’s Outreach. She was a celebrated Community based Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian who often accompanied Chef Keith to free workshops and tabling events, providing sound nutrition advice as Chef Keith taught and conducted cooking demonstrations. Judy loved food and loved talking about how to enjoy food in healthy ways with people. For over forty years she taught campus-based and on-line graduate and undergraduate courses at the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State and inspired and mentored thousands of food professionals, many of whom are now contributing their time and talent to Chef’s Outreach hosted and other community based workshops and program.
Judy worked to introduce pre-school through secondary nutrition education, served as one of the first Nutrition Education Director’s for the nation’s first WIC (Women, Infants, Children) program, and was the first food and nutrition advisor to Giant Eagle Supermarkets. She was a frequent guest and expert on television, print, and social media communication. Most recently she initiated and managed on-line communications with staff and volunteers at food pantries, senior centers, and agencies involved in food distribution.
Judy held numerous volunteer positions, most notably serving as President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Locally she was involved in The American Heart Association, Action for Healthy Kids, Let’s Move Pittsburgh, OSHER, VSA and WIC. Sadly, Judy passed away suddently on May 31, 2025, but her legacy with Chef’s Outreach continues through the many videos, podcasts, worksheets and recipes she created with and for us, and her peers and other professionals who continue to support our efforts. We are eternally grateful for Judy’s contributions to our organization, our youth and our community.