Chef Mavis-Jay Sanders is a James Beard Award winning culinarian, activist and founder of A SANDERS THING, a culinary consultancy company.

Mavis-Jay, a beacon of social change, was honored with a prestigious Leadership Award from the James Beard Foundation in 2022. Recognized for her relentless dedication to justice, she champions the empowerment of formerly incarcerated youth through innovative culinary educational initiatives and professional development programs. Beyond her impactful work, Mavis-Jay's visionary programming extends to addressing food insecurity, embodying her unwavering commitment to community nourishment. With the creation of Queers at Beards, she pioneers a movement grounded in inclusivity and equality, amplifying marginalized voices and sparking a profound wave of change.