When Washington, D.C. native Sylva Lin moved to Baltimore, she noticed a hole in the market where a high-end community grocery store could be. A former caterer and private chef for politicians and professional sports teams, she founded Culinary Architecture in 2015 in the historic Pigtown neighborhood. She named her business Culinary Architecture because, “It comprises all the building blocks of the culinary world. We started with a small gourmet market that offered international ingredients and artisan foodstuffs.” Culinary Architecture went on to create a new blueprint for itself and the community.
Culinary Architecture began to host tastings, test products, help launch brands, and serve as an incubator for minority- and women-owned startups. Lin expanded her catering capabilities, offering freshly baked pastries and breads, and grew a loyal following among universities and philanthropic organizations. “From hosting weekend community coffees to curating elegant dinners, it has become a place where flavor meets purpose,” says Lin. “A new type of grocery store.”
As it grew, Culinary Architecture continued to invest in Pigtown, hiring and training people who traditionally have been overlooked in the job market, such as formerly incarcerated individuals and seniors. “I recognized the opportunity to do more than just feed people,” says Lin. “That’s where the BGE Energizing Business Grant comes in.”
The grant helps support Culinary Architecture’s commitment to feeding the community while uplifting people who live and work there. “We provide hands-on job training and mentorship to equip people with the practical skills and self-confidence to create sustainable career paths,” Lin says.
