Meet 9 of New York City’s Coolest Dads

Teaching kids about healthy cooking, doing catering and in-house birthday parties is a natural fit for Thomas, the father of two with one on the way. Thomas always loved cooking and even prepared dishes (by request) for birthday parties and other small gatherings. He ultimately pursued a degree in the culinary arts but found restaurant work hard to juggle with his first child on the way. He ultimately stepped away from the restaurant world, working part-time at The Children’s Aid Society where he implemented a toddler-cooking program. In his spare time, he built up his own catering company before launching Freshmade NYC Kids Catering & Events with a partner two years ago. “We have a lot of fun working with little ones and introducing them to all kinds of yummy, natural foods and recipes,” says Thomas, who lives with his wife, Serene, and kids near Yankee Stadium. “I love taking road trips with my kids,” he says of Tsion, 10, and Josiah, seven. “I love to take them rock climbing and outside to play basketball, baseball and football. I love having picnics with them, too.”

Biggest personal accomplishment: “Being an active and involved dad is a great accomplishment.  It's not easy to be self-employed and also be a full time parent, but I promised myself that I would be an engaged dad no matter what.”

Biggest professional accomplishment: “I’m proud of having opened up such a beautiful, warm and inviting space to do my work and teach classes.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.”