FLORENCE, Ky. — A woman in northern Kentucky is taking a unique approach to battling addiction and fostering community - through food. 

Five years sober, Erica Owens is the food service manager at Brighton Recovery Center’s “Center Table,” a catering and culinary training program for women in recovery. 

Owens arrived at Brighton Recovery Center for Women, on March 29, 2019, battling a methamphetamine addiction, grieving the loss of her father, coping with the end of her marriage, and struggling with postpartum depression.

“I had this little baby that had colic. And so, for some reason, I thought in my mind that if I did methamphetamines just once, I could stay awake for the sweet baby and be a good mom and, from the minute I did methamphetamines, I knew I was addicted.”

However, her passion for cooking didn’t always exist. She laughed as she remembered her first day in the kitchen. “I set the kitchen on fire!” But over time, cooking became the hope needed in her recovery.

“Food is a love language,” Owens said. “Nothing says loving like something from the oven.”

Fast forward to today. Owens is not only working in the kitchen, she’s running it. She helps other women in recovery by providing hands-on culinary training, a skill that brings growth, healing and career experience. 

“I get to show the world what the face of recovery looks like, instead of the face of active addiction,” Owens proudly stated.

Center Table: Cooking with a Purpose offers a variety of catering services, feeding parties snd professional events all across northern Kentucky. All the proceeds go back into Brighton Recovery Center For Women, helping women on the road to recovery.

Thanks to Erica, the kitchen at Center Table is often filled with the sounds chopping and laughter. It’s a business where food isn’t just sustenance - it’s a bridge to recovery and community.

Owens stressed that every day is a step forward in her recovery and an opportunity to uplift others through food and fellowship.