DV8 Kitchen helps people in recovery rebuild their lives through work

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — At first glance, DV8 Kitchen looks like a busy neighborhood restaurant. But behind the counter and in the kitchen, something much bigger is happening.

DV8 Kitchen is built around a simple idea: helping people in recovery find steady work, dignity, and a fresh start.

Founder Rob Perez says the concept was inspired by his wife, who wanted to turn faith into action in a meaningful way.

“She said she wanted to express her faith in a more meaningful way — not just on Sundays,” Perez said. “She wanted to take our lived experience and try to help other people.”

Perez admits it took time for him to fully embrace the idea of hiring people with past struggles. A longtime businessman, he says he had to rethink what opportunity really looks like.

“My experience led me to think — incorrectly — that people with a past couldn’t be employed,” Perez said. “But there’s a moment of clarity, a moment of sobriety, where if we can extend an opportunity, maybe that’s what we’re supposed to do.”

Now more than 35 years into his own recovery, Perez says DV8’s mission is rooted in breaking down stigma around addiction.

“The whole idea is to give people the opportunity to be employed with dignity and respect,” he said. “And to remove the stigma of addiction in the workplace.”

DV8 Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch, and brunch — and everything from the bread to the pastries is made on site. Employees rotate through hands-on roles, learning skills both in the kitchen and in customer-facing positions.

“We let them choose whether they want to be front of house or back of house,” Perez explained. “It’s very much a learn-as-you-go experience.”

The restaurant also partners with several local recovery homes, allowing residents to gain work experience while continuing their recovery journey.

“We validate people’s recovery,” Perez said. “We work with eight different residential facilities where we have arrangements in place.”

For employees like Xavier, who has been sober for a year, the opportunity has been life-changing.

“I’ve been to rehab before, hit rock bottom, gotten out and relapsed,” Xavier said. “This time, I started praying out of desperation — wanting my family back and wanting to make something of myself.”

Perez says working at DV8 is about far more than earning a paycheck.

“This job is about recovery,” he said. “It might look like working in a restaurant, but it’s really about working in recovery.”

Beyond the kitchen, DV8 also partners with community organizations like Natalie’s Sisters, collecting blankets for trafficking survivors — another way the restaurant extends its mission of support.

Perez says DV8 Kitchen isn’t just serving food. It’s serving hope — one job, and one second chance, at a time.