Hello!
My name is Jess, and cooking has been my passion for as long as I can remember.
Mama Jean was our name for my grandmother Eugenia. As a Ukrainian refugee during WWII, she navigated harrowing circumstances to bring both of her children to safety in the United States. I proudly carry Eugenia as my middle name.
Growing up, it was my mother Tanya who instilled in me a love for food - from growing organic vegetables to exploring global cuisines to cooking extraordinary feasts. She ran a successful catering business from our house when my brother and I were kids. We savored the broken corners of lemon bars and fallen soufflés that became “mistakes” for us to enjoy.
I graduated with honors from Cambridge Culinary School and am certified in Plant-Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies through eCornell. I believe that people following special diets should have exciting and satisfying menu options, and that freshly prepared meals made from whole foods are essential to vibrant health. For more information, please visit the FAQs page, join Mama Jean on Instagram and Facebook, or feel free to reach out directly.
With gratitude,
Jessica Drench, Owner and Chef/Baker of Mama Jean
Certified ServSafe Food Manager
I live and work on the original homelands of the Massachusett tribe.
Provide an inclusive variety of meals and baked goods that offer nourishment and joy
Create menus that emphasize local seasonal produce, organically grown when possible
Honor sustainable practices in service to my clients and to the Earth
Serve neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity and spotlight organizations leading this effort
Cultivate partnerships that help strengthen the local food ecosystem and regional economy
Offer learning opportunities that promote health for people and for the environment
