MEET THE TEAM
Jeni Wheeler
Co-Founder, Executive Director
Jeni Wheeler is a business strategist, nonprofit executive, and community leader dedicated to driving innovation, sustainable growth, and meaningful impact. She is the co-founder, executive director, and creative mind behind the Family Table Collaborative, a Cape Cod–based nonprofit social enterprise advancing nutritional security through food access, education, and community engagement.
Founded in 2020, the Family Table Collaborative has distributed more than 205,000 meals, rescued over 100,000 units of fresh produce, and mobilized a volunteer network of more than 550 people. Jeni holds an MBA from Babson College with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship and brings a values-driven, business-minded approach to leadership and systems change.
She is a member of World Central Kitchen’s Chef Corps, Les Dames d’Escoffier, and serves on Governor Healey’s Anti-Hunger Task Force. Jeni is also a columnist for Edible Cape Cod and Cape & Plymouth Business, the founder of Jeni’s Joy, and the host of the online cooking show Fun with Food.
Known for translating big ideas into actionable strategy, Jeni is a trusted voice on leadership, innovation, and the importance of shifting the conversation from food security to nutritional security.
Harry Henry
Co-Founder, Director of Planning
Harry is a retired high-tech marketing executive and entrepreneur, having served in both founder and COO roles across multiple companies. A native of Massachusetts and longtime Cape Cod resident, Harry previously served as Board President of the Cape Cod Culinary Incubator. As a co-founder, he now focuses on the meal distribution and volunteer activities of the Collaborative. He also helps guide the Collaborative’s mission while ensuring its success as a self-sustaining nonprofit.
Harry holds an undergraduate degree in Marketing from Babson College and an MBA from Suffolk University.
Chef David
With more than 40 years of culinary experience, Chef David brings creativity, expertise, and a passion for good food to Family Table Collaborative. Specializing in Spanish, Italian, and French cuisine, his career has taken him from Cape Cod to California and Utah.
After attending culinary school at Santa Rosa Junior College, David worked alongside acclaimed Sonoma Valley chef Jeffrey Madura at John Ash & Co. His experience includes leading kitchens at Liberty Heights Fresh, crafting handmade pasta and cheeses at Nooch's Italian restaurant, and spending a decade with Whole Foods Market.
Today, David thrives on transforming rescued and donated ingredients into nutritious, delicious meals for the community.
"I love coming in, seeing all the amazing food that's been donated, and Iron Chefing it into meals people will really enjoy."
For Chef David, cooking for hundreds comes as naturally as cooking for family. At Family Table Collaborative, he brings that talent to a simple mission: making great food accessible to everyone.
Chef Jeff
For Chef Jeff Avery, great food is about more than what's on the plate. It's about discovery, connection, and caring for others. With over 40 years in the culinary world, he has built a career that spans Cape Cod restaurant kitchens and research vessels traveling the globe.
As Chief Steward aboard vessels for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Jeff explored five continents, discovering new cuisines and ingredients while mastering the challenge of preparing exceptional meals with limited supplies.
His ability to think creatively under pressure was especially important during the February 2026 Cape Cod blizzard. Jeff was among the first to arrive at Family Table Collaborative, preparing thousands of meals for people in emergency shelters and warming centers and helping set a larger community relief effort in motion.
Jeff often says, "food is the great peacemaker." Today, he brings that belief, his international culinary experience, and his dedication to feeding neighbors together in the kitchen at Family Table Collaborative.
Chef Ashley
Chef Ashley Wyche brings a passion for exceptional food, creativity, and kitchen leadership to Family Table Collaborative. Ashley's career spans fine dining restaurants, luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and large-scale catering operations across the country.
From the acclaimed kitchens of Menton in Boston and Uchi in Austin to Executive Sous Chef positions at Yellowstone Club and Spanish Peaks Mountain Club in Montana, Ashley has developed a diverse culinary background. Most recently, Ashley served as Executive Chef at Faraway Martha's Vineyard, overseeing multiple dining experiences.
With expertise ranging from Japanese cuisine and sushi to French cooking, pastry, and large-scale food production, Ashley combines refined culinary techniques with a practical, hands-on approach to cooking.
At Family Table Collaborative, Chef Ashley brings that versatility, attention to quality, and commitment to teamwork to creating delicious meals that nourish and bring people together.
Chef Peter
Peter is a chef at Family Table Collaborative, bringing more than 20 years of food service experience, creativity, and a passion for community to his work.
Born and raised on Cape Cod, Peter’s culinary journey has included Johnson & Wales University, local restaurants, coffee roasting, and four years as the owner of Fare and Just Kitchen in Brewster, where he shared his love of plant-based food with the community. He has been vegan since 2016.
A graduate of Community Leadership Institute (Class of 2016) and EforAll (Class of 2018), Peter is passionate about using food to bring people together, nourish his community, and create meaningful experiences.
Today, he brings his plant-based expertise to a broader audience, aligning deeply with FTC’s mission. His passion for creating healthy, nutritious food that is accessible to all makes his work at FTC not just a role, but a natural fit.
Jenny Burkhardt
Lead Baker
Jenny Burkhardt spent 15 years working as a marine biologist studying water quality on Cape Cod before discovering a passion for baking while volunteering with Family Table Collaborative over the past four years. She is now FTC’s lead baker, where she develops the organization’s baking program and supports catering events, creating everything from cookies and mini desserts to custom cakes. When she’s not in the kitchen, Jenny enjoys hiking with her dog Roxy, and exploring local farmers markets and festivals.
Deke Knight
Community Partnerships and Education
Deke Knight joined FTC in 2023, bringing with him over 25 years of experience as an educator and trainer with Outward Bound, as well as extensive years spent working as a chef. Trained at Great Lakes Culinary in Traverse City Michigan, he now resides in Yarmouth with his wife and their two pups. His passion for building a stronger, healthier Cape community is at the heart of his love for the work accomplished at the Family Table Collaborative.
Nathan Gould
Kitchen Operations Coordinator
Jim Lynch
Designer and Culinary Show Producer
