A conversation on Food, Opportunity, and Second Chances
A story about food, resilience, and second chances is coming to St. Petersburg as Foundation For a Healthy St. Petersburg brings the award-winning documentary “Coldwater Kitchen” to the Tampa Bay community for a free screening and conversation focused on opportunity, health, and transformation.
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Chef Jimmy Lee Hill will join hundreds of area residents at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg for the Tampa Bay debut of “Coldwater Kitchen,” a feature-length documentary that follows his decades-long work teaching culinary arts inside a Michigan prison.
For 30 years, Chef Hill has led a highly regarded gourmet culinary training program at a correctional facility in Coldwater, Michigan, teaching incarcerated men professional cooking techniques alongside lessons centered on responsibility, discipline, and personal growth.
The program is built around the belief that education and opportunity can create new pathways — offering participants skills that extend far beyond the kitchen.
Highlighting the Role of Food, Health, and Community Transformation
“Coldwater Kitchen” uses food as an unexpected lens to explore incarceration, rehabilitation, and the challenges of returning to society.
The documentary follows Chef Hill and three of his students — one serving a life sentence, one navigating opioid addiction, and another returning to a community where he previously sold drugs — as they confront personal struggles while preparing for a different future.
Read more: Foundation For A Healthy St. Petersburg Brings “Coldwater Kitchen” Documentary to Tampa BayRather than focusing solely on incarceration, the film explores the human stories behind it, showing how mentorship, culinary training, and meaningful opportunities can influence lives.
Following the screening, Chef Hill will participate in a community Q&A alongside documentary cast member Chef Dink and executive producer Desiré Vincent. St. Petersburg chef Marques Clark of Yes Chef Village will also join the discussion, bringing a local perspective on overcoming barriers and the role food can play in creating healthier communities.
Creating Conversations Around Health Equity and Opportunity
The event is being hosted by the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg in partnership with the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival (TBCGF), bringing together storytelling, culture, and community dialogue.
The screening and panel discussion are designed to encourage conversations about hope, opportunity, and what it takes to build communities where everyone has the ability to thrive.
“Stories have the power to transform our thinking, spark new ideas and connections, and inspire us to act boldly in service of our shared humanity and values,” Foundation President and CEO Dr. Kanika Tomalin said. “We’re thrilled to bring our community access to this powerful film and its creators so that, together, we may expand our thinking around opportunity and change.”
The evening also reflects a broader focus on how communities can address the conditions that influence health and well-being — from access to opportunity and education to the social connections that help people succeed.
Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival Connect Food and Wellness
The partnership with the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival adds another layer to the conversation by connecting food traditions, health awareness, and community empowerment.
“The Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival is about more than just food; it’s about empowering our community with the tools to make healthier, sustainable choices,” said TBCGF co-founder Boyzell Hosey. “We’re thrilled to continue this celebration of heritage and well-being with the invaluable support of the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg.”
Founded in St. Petersburg’s historic Deuces corridor, the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival has grown into a major cultural event celebrating foodways, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and storytelling while promoting healthier lifestyles and economic opportunity.
The Future of Community Health
The screening of “Coldwater Kitchen” represents the type of community conversation that continues shaping the future of Tampa Bay — one that brings together residents, leaders, and organizations to explore solutions rooted in connection, education, and shared experiences.
Through film, food, and dialogue, Healthy St. Petersburg is creating space for residents to consider how communities can expand opportunity and build healthier futures.
Event Details
What: Free community screening of “Coldwater Kitchen” and panel discussion
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Time: 6–9 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m. for food and networking)
Location: Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg
2333 34th St. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33711