Inna Khitrik, Executive Chef at Women’s Lunch Place, is a celebrated restaurateur now known for transforming hunger relief into a source of nourishment, community, and dignity. 

Born in Belarus, Inna immigrated to the U.S. in 1990 and began working as a chef, co-founding a deli in Brookline serving as head chef for Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly. In 2011, Inna and her son Alex Khitrik founded Inna’s Kitchen, known for its globally inspired soups, salads, and Jewish specialties. 

In late 2022, Inna made a bold career shift. She brought her culinary expertise and compassionate leadership to Women’s Lunch Place, where she now designs menus and leads a team that prepares 165,000 meals annually, serving more than 2,300 unhoused women with scratch-made, nutrient-rich breakfasts, lunches, and takeaway dinners. 

Under her stewardship, the WLP kitchen has broken Healthy Meals records while emphasizing health, warmth, and cultural resonance. Inna's menus evolve with seasonal and donated produce—think Mediterranean soups, shakshuka, steamed fish with fresh herbs, and innovative desserts like zucchini brownies and avocado chocolate mousse—all aiming to uplift and sustain both body and spirit. Inna’s leadership style is rooted in empathy, creativity, and deep connection—infusing not just ingredients, but also shared humanity, into every meal. Hear Inna’s story at Spaghetti Dinner!

Theresa Rolley is a sought-after public speaker and influential champion for responding to women experiencing trauma or addiction in a way that centers respect, empathy, and empowerment. Her perspective is informed by both personal lived experience and professional expertise, including holding a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Organizational Leadership.  

As a Wellness and Recovery Advocate Supervisor, Theresa teaches local audiences about Addiction Medicine and Social Determinants of Health. She is involved in the LEAP Academic Research Training Program of Boston Medical Center, where she contributes to peer-reviewed publications and projects. In recognition of her collaboration with medical fellows at BMC, she was recently honored as a “Be Exceptional” award recipient. 

Prior to her work in the recovery field, Theresa served as director of a program serving women and children exiting sex exploitation and trafficking in Boston. In this role, she worked alongside the Plymouth County Human Trafficking Task Force to develop and upgrade policies and build a more coordinated and effective response to victims of crime.  

Theresa has had a particularly powerful impact on guests at Women’s Lunch Place. Every week, her transformative, trauma-informed empowerment groups fill to capacity. Theresa offers our guests not only guidance, but liberation—providing effective tools and a sense of community as they navigate their own paths to healing. Join us at Spaghetti Dinner to learn from Theresa!

Photos from spaghetti dinner 2024: