Now in its third year, Kind Cuisine has become a beloved part of Ashland’s dining landscape. Founded by classically trained chef and entrepreneur Courtney Gavilanes, Kind Cuisine offers a new globally inspired menu each week, prepared fresh and delivered straight to your door. With a vision rooted in hospitality, culture, and human connection, Courtney and her family are redefining what it means to bring kindness to the table.
Courtney, congratulations on three years! How does it feel to see Kind Cuisine continue to grow and reach more people in the community?
Hi Shields, thank you! I feel so fortunate to have such supportive, encouraging and dedicated clients to cook for! I love that I get to make people’s lives easier by providing fresh food prepared with love and it is so fulfilling to me that Kind Cuisine is bringing happiness to peoples tables! Every member of our team cares deeply for our guests and their experience and our craft is rooted in that sense of hospitality.
Can you share the personal story that inspired you to launch Kind Cuisine and why food felt like the natural way to express kindness?
The idea for Kind Cuisine really grew out of my personal belief that food is one of the most universal expressions of care. A simple meal can bring people together, comfort someone going through a hard time, or celebrate joyful moments. Food carries love, connection, and healing — even without words. That’s why launching Kind Cuisine felt so natural. For me, it’s not just about cooking; it’s about using food as a language of kindness and creating experiences where people feel seen, valued, and nourished. Cooking and food is my passion and my art, and it nourishes me to take care of people through food and hospitality — so it’s a win/win!
Walk us through how Kind Cuisine works for someone who hasn’t tried it yet. How do people order, and what can they expect?
I publish a new menu on the website every Sunday. Ordering is open via the website until Wednesdays at midnight. The food is prepared and delivered on Mondays to their homes, chilled and ready to heat and eat whenever they wish throughout the week. There’s no subscription or obligation to purchase, and delivery is free! I have clients that order one meal, and clients that order something for every day of the week. However, Kind Cuisine fits your life. We’re here and ready to support.
You design a brand-new menu every week. Where do you find your inspiration, and how do cultural influences shape your dishes?
This is the fun part for me! Food is such a powerful storyteller, and I love weaving in cultural influences that reflect both my own heritage and honoring other cultures by telling their stories through food. Each week’s menu is kind of like a conversation between tradition and creativity — expressing authentic flavors while presenting them in a way that feels fresh and approachable. For me, it’s less about reinventing the wheel and more about capturing the spirit of kindness and connection that different food cultures naturally hold and honoring them through the expression of their cuisine.
You’ve made intentional choices around packaging, sustainability, and reheating methods. Why are those details important to you and your guests?
Those details matter to me because they reflect the same care I put into the food itself. If I’m creating dishes meant to nourish and support, I want every part of the experience — from packaging to reheating — to align with that intention. Choosing sustainable packaging helps us reduce waste and show respect for the environment, while designing reheating methods that actually preserve flavor and texture makes it easier for guests to enjoy their meals the way they were meant to be experienced. All of our packaging is recyclable/compostable and all meals come with easy heating instructions for your oven.
What are some of the dishes your customers rave about, and how do you gather feedback to keep evolving the menu?
Some of the dishes customers rave about are the Romesco Chicken, French Onion Pork Chops, and the Braised Beef Short Ribs. I think people connect with them because they’re both comforting and a little unexpected — familiar flavors with a twist. Feedback is a huge part of how I keep the menu evolving. I pay close attention to what sells out quickly, and appreciate it so much when someone takes the time to send their feedback, especially when they have a suggestion for improvement. I love the collaboration of feedback, and love when people share with me how I can best support them and what they would like to see from Kind Cuisine.
Please share a recent testimonial or two with us.
People really enjoy the facility of the meals being delivered to their homes. Many people share how they look forward to Mondays (delivery day)! I also get a lot of feedback about our seafood dishes, the vegetables and our soups!
At the core of your work is bringing kindness into people’s homes. What does that vision mean to you personally, and how do you hope people feel when they sit down to a Kind Cuisine meal?
Food has this incredible ability to ground us and make us feel nurtured, and I want every Kind Cuisine meal to carry that energy. My hope is that when people sit down to eat, they feel like someone thought about them, like they’re being taken care of — even if it’s just through a warm dish on the table. Life can feel so busy and heavy, but when someone opens a Kind Cuisine dish, I want them to feel like they’re being looked after, the way you would for family or a close friend. Personally, it’s my way of extending love, comfort, and connection through my hands to them. If that kindness ripples out into their homes and their lives, then Kind Cuisine has completed its mission!
Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future of Kind Cuisine, and how can the community best support your growth?
Looking ahead, my dream for Kind Cuisine isn’t just to grow bigger, but to grow outward — to bring it into other communities where it can inspire. I especially want moms, women or minorities to see that it’s possible to build something meaningful from your own passion, something rooted in kindness and culture. We can support our families and our communities while also doing something that fulfills us. If Kind Cuisine can spark even one person to take that leap and create their own version of this — whether it’s food, art, or another business that uplifts others — then I’ll feel like the vision is coming full circle. The community can support by continuing to share our story, spreading the word, and encouraging that ripple effect of kindness and entrepreneurship
What are the next steps for signing up with Kind Cuisine?
You can check out our website KindCuisine.org to see this weeks’ menu, sign up for our weekly email (I promise we won’t spam you; it’s two emails a week with our weekly menu and a reminder to order) or place an order or buy a gift card! I’m also available anytime via the “contact” page on the website for questions. I look forward to cooking for you!
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