“Q” Derks

Culinary Director

Chef “Q” Derks has been with TOLS since the opening of the new facilities. Chef “Q” has been a professional chef for over 25 years. She graduated from Peter Kump’s New York School of Culinary Arts. As well, she has a BFA in Sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University. Most recently, she was head chef for 13 years at The Avalon Restaurant in the Fan District of Richmond. Chef “Q” is also a volunteer at Positive Vibes Café in the Southside of Richmond. Positive Vibes Café is a restaurant and a training site for persons with disabilities who are interested in working in the Food Service Industry.

At TOLS, along with cooking tasty, healthy, well-balanced meals, she provides an opportunity for a pre-vocational “apprentice” program in the TOLS kitchen. Chef “Q”, in conjunction with the therapy staff, is able to provide supervised work experiences in our “real life” kitchen for certain clients who show an interest and aptitude for working in food service.