Kaleb Wischmeier

Kaleb grew up in Fort Madison and graduated from Fort Madison High School in 2016. After high school, he attended Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, where he earned an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts in 2018.

Since then, Kaleb has worked in professional kitchens in a variety of roles. His experience includes serving in a management position with Hy-Vee and as Bakery Supervisor at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

From 2020 to 2023, Kaleb lived in Nashville, Tennessee, where he worked as a personal chef with Chefs for Seniors, traveling to clients' homes and preparing customized meals. During his time in Nashville, he also worked with Patchwork, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Sean Brock that provided free chef-prepared meals to low-income and unhoused individuals facing food insecurity. In addition, he taught culinary and hospitality skills through Cafe Momentum, now known as Pathways Kitchen, which works with justice-involved youth through culinary and hospitality management education.

Kaleb returned to Fort Madison in the summer of 2023 and joined the YMCA Test Kitchen team, where he continues pursuing his passion for nonprofit work, culinary education, and creating opportunities for people to learn, grow, and connect through food.